May 03, 2011

I managed to sew a little bag

I made a little cross-body zippered pouch with a scrap of my Tulip print from Outside Oslo. It's about 9" square. I mimicked the format of a sweet little bag sent to me by Nathalie awhile back (thank you, thank you!)—the size and shape are nice for carrying a wallet and just a couple other goodies while out running around.

I'm still a sewing dabbler and don't expect I'll ever be interested enough to be great at it. The process always makes me impatient and I have to fight the urge to quit halfway through. Usually because I've sewn something shut accidentally or didn't notice I was using basting stitches until halfway through my project. I'll leave the fancy sewing to others, like my mom who has promised to make me a travel bag from this new fabric collection. (See, Mum, I said it on my blog so there's no backing out now.)

Update: The travel bag is awesome.

63 comments:

  1. Theresa (Miss Charlotte)May 3, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    I love it! It's so adorable, and it looks rather uncomplicated. You are so very talented in your dabbling...cheers!

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  2. Melanie's RandomnessMay 3, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Oh that is really cute and you made it!!! I wish I could make bags. It would save me so much money and I could have alot cuter ones than in the stores!

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  3. JessicaMay 3, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    that's so cute. I love your new fabric!

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  4. JaneMay 3, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    looking great!

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  5. julie kingMay 3, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    i think it is just adorable!!! good job!

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  6. DaniMay 3, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I'm so intimidated to try something like this out...but it just seems like something so practical to know how to do. :)

    Love the print!

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  7. ConnieMay 3, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Very sweet! I love that fabric.

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  8. Laura @ Starting Out FitMay 3, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Love it!!! :)

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  9. Three Birds JewelryMay 3, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    it is so cute! i'm the same, i wont ever be great at sewing, but love that i can make easy projects on my own. where did you get that fabric?

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  10. Martha WingerMay 3, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Lovely. Less is more. Amazing how simple rectangles can come together in such a useful way.

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  11. Three Birds JewelryMay 3, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    or perhaps the better question is how did you make the fabric?

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  12. Jessica JonesMay 3, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Three Birds, I designed this fabric; it's one of the prints from my new Outside Oslo line distributed by The Needle Shop. You can buy it online right here, or it will begin appearing in fabric stores soon.

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  13. Happy in redMay 3, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Oh, I am loving this purse. The fabric is just devine. Is it an existing pattern?

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  14. amyMay 3, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    I love sewing practical items, this is the perfect size.

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  15. Jessica JonesMay 3, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Oops, I typed my reply while you clarified your question. I designed the prints in Illustrator; then we sent the files to a fabric printer who had them made into screens and manufactured.

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  16. Jessica JonesMay 3, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Happy in Red, I didn't use a pattern. I think you can find any tutorial online for a zipper pouch and then modify it a little bit. I used the zipper pouch instructions in the book "Sew What: Bags" and changed it to add an extra band of fabric at the top and two little tabs at the sides. Next time I'd put those tabs higher up, though. The top tends to sag a little.

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  17. melanie @nowaqueenMay 3, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    Umm, you are going to make more and sell them, right? Because I would totally buy that! Oh, wait, the point is to make it yourself, yeah I can't do that!

    Looks great!

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  18. KayannaMay 3, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Such an adorable little bag! And your fabric is just awesome!!

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  19. Grandma GMay 3, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    You're a better sewer than you think you are... And I'm probably not as good as you think I am. ;) I'm just more 'experienced' at the seam ripping, etc., thus have developed more patience. ;)

    So I really have to make that travel bag now, huh? I WAS going to back out, y'know. Ha! Can't wait to get at it!

    Mum

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  20. tinajoMay 3, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    It´s so cute - and I do LOVE the fabric! :-)

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  21. MicheleMay 3, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    It's darling! Your new fabric is fab!

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  22. Angelina Fong DesignsMay 3, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    I would never have guessed you only dabbled in sewing from seeing that bag. It's so adorable and looks very well-made! Good job!

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  23. papelhiloMay 3, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I really love this little bag ! you're too modest ;)

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  24. AnonymousMay 3, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    What pattern did you pick for your travel bag, or are you making your own? I'm trying to decide on one to (try to) sew.

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  25. Jessica JonesMay 3, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Amy Butler's Weekender bag.

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  26. CookieMay 3, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    would LOVE to see a pattern for this! i'm trying to teach myself to sew as well & this appeals to me. btw - i like that you said you're tempted to give up because it's not going as fast as you'd like. my exact issue!

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  27. christinaMay 3, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    gosh i love that fabric!

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  28. Memphis Urban SketchersMay 3, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Super duper cute. Good job!

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  29. Kathryn CraftsMay 3, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Love it!! Great job!

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  30. LaurieMay 3, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    I really loved your post title.

    ( also bag and fabric look great too )

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  31. StephanieMay 3, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Great bag! (And your mom's so right... you are better than you think!)

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  32. stephanieMay 3, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    wow great job! i'm actually kind of afraid of my sewing machine...and am tempted to sew things by hand instead.

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  33. Hena TayebMay 3, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    That is so cute. Yay for you.

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  34. sideoats + scribblesMay 3, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Awesome!!!

    I'm a sewing dabbler too -- my problem is that I'm too afraid to cut pretty fabric so I never start! Ha! :)

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  35. SGMay 3, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    It's great seeing your fabrics in use and what a supercute bag...I too have been getting in touch with my inner sewer lately and I'm loving it.

    My mum is a right-handed career machinist and I'm a left-handed make it up as I go along sewer...so I've always had a love hate relationship with a sewing machine as it seemed to always cause tension between us overe the years, now I am sewing what I like how I like and mum is just helping when I ask...I think she's been a little surprised!

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  36. nicoleMay 3, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    That's a sweet little bag, perfect for summer :)

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  37. beaufrogMay 3, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    That's a sweet little bag, perfect for summer :)

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  38. Lisa ClarkeMay 3, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Super cute. And your fabric is lovely up against the solid color.

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  39. dominiqueMay 3, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    i'd buy one in a minute! love the fabric combination.

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  40. BeckyMay 3, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Jess - you did a super job. It's a cute baglet.

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  41. PamMay 3, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Very cute! I have to agree with you on the sewing bit. I think I am just in love with the "idea" of sewing, not the real deal. I can design a 3 dimensional sculpture, make a pattern, sew it up, rip it out, sew it up again until I get it right. I try to sew a dress or some other piece of clothing and make a wrong seam...it goes right in the garbage. Go figure....

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  42. elleMay 3, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Great fabric and for a "dabbler" it looks pretty good!

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  43. RunaMay 4, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    The bag looks lovely, the print actually makes all the difference.

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  44. maryandpatch.blogspot.comMay 4, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    Adorable!

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  45. RieMay 4, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    The bag looks so cute - you'll never use a big bag again!

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  46. Chelle YMay 4, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Is your fabric available in the UK?

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  47. Jessica JonesMay 4, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    I don't know if any shops over there have picked it up yet, but The Needle Shop will do international shipping. It's $13.25 for a flat rate priority envelope that holds up to 4 yards. You can shop for fabric right here.

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  48. angieMay 4, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    that is such a great bag! I may have to make something similar for myself.

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  49. JenMay 4, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    What an adorable bag. Love the gray with that print!

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  50. LiPeonyMay 4, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    oo I love it! The print and the soft grey edge and strap are perfect. =D

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  51. mysterymoorMay 4, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    aw it's lovely! I wish I could sew

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  52. Jennie BeeMay 5, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    I love your fabric! so cute and great colors!

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  53. Cow BellMay 5, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Amazing, love the fabric, it has a retro feel to it, and I love retro :)

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  54. Live a Colorful LifeMay 10, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    I'm "sew" excited about your fabric. Some is on its way to me right now and should arrive in the next day or two. Yippee!

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  55. Mlle MiracleMay 11, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Oh, it seems that pattern is already out of stock, as I can't find it at the NeedleShop. Do you think it will be available soon? By the way, your blog is amazing!

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  56. Jessica JonesMay 11, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Mlle Miracle, check again; there should be lots and maybe they just needed to relist it. I see some in the shop now. Check here.

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  57. UnknownDecember 16, 2014 at 1:59 AM

    hi where can i find this patten

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  58. AnonymousNovember 17, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    Hi any chance you can share the pattern?

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  59. Jessica JonesNovember 17, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    I didn't use one, sorry! It's basically a zipper pouch, just with a taller body. Google "zipper pouch tutorial" and you'll see lots of how-to's, I think.

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  60. MohnalisaJanuary 21, 2016 at 11:46 AM

    Oh, I was just in love. The bag is so beautiful and exactly what I'm looking for. Is there a tutorial and where can I find it? Thanks a lot for your help.

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  61. Jessica JonesJanuary 23, 2016 at 10:35 AM

    I didn't use or make a tutorial, but you can adapt any basic zipper pouch tutorial to make this. Just sew an extra band of contrasting fabric on each panel. And add loops with a D ring in them to the side seams before you stitch it up.

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  62. MohnalisaJanuary 23, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    Many thanks for the quick answer. I'll try it, as you described it.
    Kindly regards
    Mohnalisa

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  63. SewerorsewistNovember 12, 2016 at 8:35 AM

    love your bag. think you are much more than just ‘a dabbler’ excellent skills thanks for sharing

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