Frame purse inspiration

For Christmas my mum (Grandma G) asked for metal frames for making a couple of clasp clutches. We bought her frames and glue from While Baby Naps at Etsy. Looking forward to seeing the outcome!

There are tutorials all over the internet for this type of bag. Sew 4 Home has just posted a tutorial featuring Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill fabric collection, above. Find the how-to for those right here.

And for further clutch bag inspiration, check out these fun items from various Etsy sellers: Phone clutch from Octopurse, Squirrel and Striped purses from Misala, and Cars bag with handle from Oktak.

How to sew cases, bags, and buckets

Check out these instructions for making things that hold other things. Maybe you know somebody who needs a handmade gift?

iPad or Kindle cover tutorial at Craft Buds
Pleated tote bag PDF from The Long Thread
Geometric DIY painted totes from Collect & Carry
Round fabric storage buckets by Film in the Fridge

Find even more things to make at Sew 4 Home, like this laminated tote with a zippered pocket or a round pillow that reminds me of peppermint candy and grandmas.

DIY iron-on typographic tote bag

I enjoy an attractive script typeface now and then, so I've made a little printable featuring Wisdom Script. You can download the "Look on the Bright Side" graphic below and iron it onto T-shirts, pillows, or totes.

To make this tote bag, download the mirror-image design here. It's flipped so that the design will read correctly on the finished fabric.

Print the backwards PDF onto iron-on transfer paper. (I used HP Iron-on Transfers for light-colored fabrics.) Trim around the graphic leaving about 3/8" border around the lettering.

Place the design face down onto fabric and iron over it slowly using the cotton setting, no steam, for a minute or two. Let the design cool, peel off the backing, and you're all done.

Designs will be machine washable after 24 hours. When laundering, turn the fabric inside out and use cold water.

I know, I know! This type absolutely ought to be orange, but from experience I've learned that my inkjet printer has a grudge against orange. Very sad. Prints turn out muddy instead of vibrant, so I settled for red. To change the color, open the PDF in Adobe Illustrator, select the shapes, and choose a new color.

If you'd like to download the normal, un-flipped design, click here.

Free diamond tote bag sewing pattern

Check out this cool diamond tote bag tutorial with a free PDF pattern, available right here at Misusu. The pattern was created by Elles, a Dutch fashion designer and passionate DIY-er. She plans to open a shop soon full of PDF baby & toddler DIY patterns. By the looks of things, it should be lovely!

Meet my Two Zip Hipster

My Mum sewed up another of Erin Erickson's Hipster bags, this time in the Dusk colorway of my Sticks fabric. It features orange zippers requested by moi. The strap on the bag is adjustable so you can carry it over your shoulder or across your torso.

See? All my orange stuff fits in it. Notebook, calendar (yep, I'm old school like that), and my iPad. (P.S. If you need this orange iPad wallpaper, grab it here.)

This baby is going everywhere with me. Thank you, Mum!

Pattern review: Two Zip Hipster bag

My mum just tried out Erin Erickson's Two Zip Hipster sewing pattern and sent over the result. And now we have a problem on our hands, because I love it so much I want a dozen of them in different fabrics. Is that greedy? It's my new favorite bag design.

It's got a zipper closure so no worries about your wallet falling out.

There's a pocket on the inside, plus two more on the outside.

The 9" x 11" size is exactly what I like in a bag. Just big enough to fit a book and an iPad, yet trim and not bulky. And the strap length is adjustable so you can carry it over the shoulder or wear it across your body, messenger bag style.

Here are Mum's thoughts on the process of sewing it:

"This pattern looks intimidating at first glance because it contains 32 pages, 17 of which are pattern pieces. But not to fear! Those 17 pattern pieces, when cut out and taped together as instructed, amount to only 9 actual pieces. The remaining 15 pages contain a LOT of photos, which are labeled and have notes to point out what the written instructions mean. Every detail is explained very clearly, so even if you're a beginner sewer, you'll be able to make this bag.

The bag has two zippers. If you're afraid of zippers, your fear will be gone after sewing this bag. They're so easy with these instructions, and they look professionally done.

One of the things I liked best about making this bag was cutting it out (which I normally hate). Every single piece is a rectangle, so with a cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter, cutting was a breeze. The VERY best thing I liked, though, was the bag itself... I love it! I will definitely be making more of these. Thanks, Erin, for an excellent pattern!"

So yeah. If you sew, you probably ought to buy this pattern. It's a PDF you can purchase and download right here from Erin's pattern shop, Dog Under My Desk. Have fun sewing!

Update: Erin has now added tips for making an optional iPad pocket.
Another update: Mom made another one!

Pattern review: Bucket Bag

My mom, known to you guys as frequent commenter Grandma G, just finished sewing up a Bucket Bag from Keyka Lou's PDF pattern. She used Skiff in Dawn from my Outside Oslo fabric collection and lined the bag with some Artee cotton duck in Turquoise.

The pattern has an oval bottom, so it really is sort of like a bucket—a cute one with a big pocket on the outside and a nicely proportioned strap. Mum added a magnetic snap since a closure is always nice. And I love the button with its coordinating scallops.

My niece Courtney, who creatively modeled the bag after Mum finished it, stated that the fabric looks like trimmed fingernail bits. Excellent. Exactly the look I was going for.

Mum writes:
"It was a pleasure to sew a bag from a pattern that didn't have me tearing my hair out because it was so complicated! I really enjoyed making this bag. The instructions were very detailed, yet clear and easy to follow in a numbered, step-by-step format, with photos to illustrate every step.

I would highly recommend this pattern for anyone just beginning to make bags. It'll get you started in the right direction and you'll learn a lot about the bag-making process. I'd also recommend it for more experienced bag makers, just because it's easy and fun! And no matter your skill level, you'll end up with a very cute bag. I love the shape of it as well as just the overall look.

The next time I use this pattern, I'll probably add a pocket or two inside. Also, I might skip the darts on the outside pocket, because unless something is stuffed into those dart areas, they tend to have a dented/dimpled look (kinda like a bra that's not quite filled out, y'know?). I'd trim the pattern piece so that it remains the same shape, just minus the darts."

Purchase the Bucket Bag pattern right here, and check out other Keyka Lou designs here. All patterns are available for instant download, and most are a mere $5.00 through 11/27/11!

Six little pouches to sew

Make some cute little cases with these sewing tutorials:
Laminated bag by Linda Turner Griepentrog at Sew Timeless
Tissue cases from Very Purple Person
Snappy coin purse by Rashida Coleman-Hale at Sew Timeless
Pear coin purse from Craft Passion
Bunting cosmetic bag at Just Another Hangup
Zip it up pencil case from Craft Passion

A random comment. Why do fabric stores and sewing websites adore puns more than any other industry does? It seams sew peculiar. Though possibly eye doctors give them a run for their money.

Make simple tote bags with The Purl Bee

Outside Oslo, the fabric line I designed for The Needle Shop, is now stocked at Purl Soho. A beautiful store in New York City, Purl Soho has an equally lovely blog that showcases projects made from the goodies they sell. Check out these Oslo tote bags that take just twenty minutes to whip up. Find a link to the instructions in The Purl Bee post right here.

How to sew 9 different bags and purses

Thanks to the ever-generous citizens of the internet, we can learn to sew a whole crop of totes, pouches, and bags. Find free patterns and tutorials right here:
Boxy pouches made from a thrifted suit at See Kate Sew
Phoebe Bag from Artsy Crafty Babe
Nature Explorer Bag at Chez Beeper Bebe
Olivia Bag from Dixie Mango
Hip pouch by Daisie Janie
Madras summer tote from Noodlehead
Pleated tote by Artsy Crafty Babe
iPhone pouch from During Quiet Time
Denim tote at Between the Lines

How to sew a tote bag

Here are four sewing tutorials for bags, ranging from easy to "I'm sorry, what?" Take your pick based on your level of ambition:

Six-pocket bag at Better Homes and Gardens
Easy tote bags from Needle and Spatula
The Weekender from Weekend Designer
Cloudy Day appliquéd tote at Craft Snob

Mum sewed me a travel bag!

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday! I'd begged my mom to sew me an Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag made from the gray Tulip print in my new fabric line. I wanted the bag quite badly, but there was no way I was going to attempt that job myself. I'd read it's a doozy, and Mum concurred. But of course she did a flawless job. Look at that perfectly matched pattern on the front pocket. Oh my goodness. I'm in love.

The lining is the yellow Skiff print. She added three extra inches to the handles to make sure it would fit easily over the shoulder, which is perfect for me.

Now I just need to go somewhere.

Sew a wallet that turns into a tote

Sew Mama Sew has posted a tutorial by the super clever Lorraine of Ikat Bag today—how to sew a little zippered wallet that unfolds into a bag. Like a transformer. It's an Autobag, or maybe a Recepticon. Thanks for featuring my fabrics, Lorraine!

P.S. The Needle Shop, who manufactured my latest line, is now offering Outside Oslo fat quarter bundles. Get small pieces of all the prints as a set right here.

P.P.S. Sorry to the nonsewers for all the fabric-centric posts lately. I'm always a little giddy after a new line comes out!

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.

Tote bag tutorials

People with lots of stuff to carry might benefit from some tote bag sewing instructions. Lucky for us, nice people of the internet have come through. A few tutorials:
Mini tote by Hollabee
Pleated beach bag at Thimble
Organizing tote basket by 2 Little Hooligans
Market tote at Bijou Lovely

Bag, apron and tape tutorials

What are you doing this weekend? Cleaning your bathroom? You'd better cancel those plans and try one of these tutorials for making something pretty with fabric.

Apron tutorial by the ladies of Ink & Spindle, featured on The Crafts Dept.
Blossom bag pattern from Amy Butler's Style Stitches book, provided by Sew Mama Sew
Fabric tape tutorial by Simply Modern Mom
Diaper bag instructions at Warehouse Fabrics

Make bags from envelopes and pretty tape

I got a little tape-happy the other day. This project is like the envelope gift bag tutorial from awhile back, but approximately 200% cuter due to fancy tape. These little gift sacks could be used as party favors filled with candy or as packaging for wee presents.

You'll need an envelope, decorative tape, and a scissors. I used 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" envelopes, but any size will work.

Seal the envelope and trim off one of the short sides to make an opening.

Wrap tape around both sides of the envelope. No need to cover the last inch, since it will form the bottom of the bag.

Fold about one inch of each side of the bag toward the middle; then fold the bottom upwards, creasing your folds well. You can vary the width of these flaps depending on the proportion of the bag you want. Flip the bag over and reverse the folds along the same lines for easier shaping in the next step.

Put one hand inside the bag, and with the other, push the bottom fold down. This will leave the bottom corners of the bag standing up. Press each corner into a triangle.

Fold both triangles down and secure them with more tape, covering the bottom of the bag.

Sources of fancy Japanese washi tape include Happy Tape, Cute Tape, and Ginko Papers. However, you might be sorry if you click these links because money will immediately fly out of your wallet. Be warned.

12 free bag and purse tutorials

Get free patterns and instructions for all of these cute totes, purses, pouches and bags online right here (left to right):

Penelope tote by Melissa Esplin
Twenty minute totes at The Purl Bee
Roomy pleated handbag at Warehouse Fabrics
Simple purse at Little Girl Pearl
Reversible beach bag by Soozs
Diana hobo bag at Think Liz
Pleated shoulder bag at Machen Machen
Zippered wristlets by Javajem Knits
Change purse with zipper by Viteen
Recycled grocery totes made from plastic bags at Made
Box pouch with handle by Drago[knit]fly
Lined, zippered pouch at Flossie Teacakes

Curtain turned tote bag

At a moving sale recently, I picked up an old curtain with a few holes. Yesterday I sewed it into a little tote, just the right size for taking a novel or two to the coffee shop. The fabric is pretty heavy, so I didn't line it; just used French seams to hide the raw edges, which works beautifully. And I like to think it gives the bag a certain cosmopolitan air, because "French seams" sounds so fancy and sophisticated. For an excellent tutorial on making a simple, unlined tote bag, click here. I sure wish I could see the original room that had blue peacock drapes.

Update: Just in from the woman who sold me the curtain: It originally belonged to her mother-in-law, a decorating genius named Ozie Lee. These panels hung in a living room with a plum couch, light blue walls and a bright green rug. Sounds rather wonderful to me.

Tote bag instructions

JCaroline Creative just posted a new tutorial for a sturdy tote bag. Click here to check it out.