2015 Denim Bags Throwback

1.  Lunch bag

Custom made order for a friend

2.  Tote for the stationery

Custom made order for fellow colleague teachers

A.

B.

C.

 3.  Denim bags for the young at heart

A.                                                                              B.

  

C.

4.  Denim tote with charm

A

 

B

5.  Large denim bag

A.

B.

Japanese Patchwork bag

 I was surprised to find  a bag making/craft class here in Sandakan.  It is run by a Taiwanese lady who is passionate about Japanese patchwork and bags.  There and then I signed up for a short project on Japanese patchwork during the school break mid of March this year.  It was quite exciting in the beginning because Japanese patchwork is something new to me.  I completed the patchwork quite fast but the completion of the whole bag took quite sometime as I have to go back to my teaching routine.  I had to find time in the afternoon to go to the class to complete the project.  Sometimes once a week and many a time once in two or three weeks.  FINALLY this week, (during another school break) I completed it!

The bag is a ordinary bag with a recessed zipper, we modified the measurement as I want it to be big.  The patchwork patterns are from the book by Akemi Shibata.  I love all the Sunbonnet Sue patterns in the book.  It was quite difficult for me to choose at first, and finally I chose this Sunbonnet Sue with a chapel in the background.  On another side of the bag, I chose houses to relate with the cozy feelings of being at home.   The houses applique with the windows  are more difficult to sew than Sun bonnet Sue because of the many corners.  Flowers and the branches are embroidered.  

All the fabric used on the outer side of the bag including all the appliques are Japanese dyed yarn which are very good to work with (and costly too).    The inner part fabric is made with normal cotton and I made 2 compartments in the bag.  Here are some pictures taken during the process of the sewing the appliques.

         

 

 

 

The inner part and the recessed zipper

As this is my first Japanese patchwork, I still have to work on my needlework.  All the patchwork are hand sewn including all the top stitch.  I only used sewing machine for joining the bag and all the inner compartments and pockets.  I also have to work on the measurement as well, the width of the recessed zipper seems to be a bit too big.

I hope to make another one soon, maybe a patchwork backpack.

Sling bags

 I recovered one of my old bags in my closet and decided to use it during the recent school holidays.  It was a sling bag and I found it is so convenient especially with children.  I used it for marketing, go on errands, travelling etc.  The only thing is that it looks a bit casual and old.

Nevertheless this inspires me to make my own sling bags from all my available fabrics.  After experimenting with two sling bags, I finally improvise the size and my techniques.   I come out with a design which is 9 inches wide, 10 inches tall and 1.5 inches deep.  The bag comes with a  front pocket with magnetic snap button, recessed zipper for the main inner compartment and also a small pocket on the inner compartment.  The sling is cotton webbing measuring around 45 - 50 inches and not adjustable.  The body of the bag is made with various combination of cotton fabric available.  I feel accomplished after completing all of them and quite satisfied with them.  I even name each of them.

Summer Red

Winter black and white

Spring purple

Autmn brown

Next, I used with denim fabrics and decorated them with fancy pockets.  The sling is made using the same denim fabric instead of cotton webbing.  I hand sew some flowers and beads to 2 of the bags.  These denim bags come with zipper pockets at the back. At first,  I was quite reluctant to do this as it looks difficult and troublesome.  However after some encouragement from a friend (who also sew bags) and the help from You Tube, I decided to try.  The zipper pocket turns out not bad :-)

Denim with pink

Denim with blue stripes

Simple denim

For improvement, I think I will make it slightly bigger so that at least I can put in IPad mini or small water bottle.  I will add in the zipper pockets at the back..  As for the slings, I will make it adjustable by attaching the necessary rings or parts.  To be more durable, the fabric used should be thicker such as jeans or canvas.  Well these are just my reflections and hopefully I can improve in future.