Thursday 5 August 2010

Bow bag with a zip

I keep a notebook by my bedside.  I use it to write down all the things that suddenly occur to me right when I am about to go to sleep - call british gas, buy water filters, book horseriding for Lillia, and other exciting things.  I also use it to scribble ideas of things I want to make - bags and toys, polyclay characters etc - the kind of ideas that only ever seem to pop into my head late at night.

One such design was a bag with a big bow on the front.  I wanted to try something more challenging than my usual plain dual fabric design.  I also wanted to try putting a pocket on the front.  So I drew up a rather amateur pattern, grabbed some old fabric that I didn't mind wasting should it all go wrong, and got to work...


I have to say I am pretty darned pleased with the finished result!  I managed to keep my seams relatively straight (and where there are wonky bits you can't see them)  I took my time over each element, made sure it was neat and well made, I unpicked several times in order to make sure I got it right.  It was a real learning experience.


But perhaps most exciting for a geek like me is that I successfully added a zip!  I've never managed to do this on a bag before, I didn't even know where to start, but then I came across Made by Jane's Recessed Zipper Bag tutorial and decided to take the plunge.


Woo hoo!  My first zippered bag!  And it looks really good too!  I made the bands that attach to the zip to form the recessed part quite a bit thinner than Jane's, as I didn't want it too recessed.  Also instead of adding a matching band to the outside I just made the outer fabric slightly longer than the lining.

I even added a lined pocket to the inside...



So there you have it!  My first ever zippered bag, I am one chuffed little sewing person :)  Maybe zips aren't that evil after all?




7 comments:

  1. You should be chuffed, it's great.

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  2. It's fab!!! Think you may got the better of those evil zips!

    I do exactly the same with a notebook/ideas - they stop me sleeping otherwise!

    Looking forward to seeing your next project. I'm off to Ikea tomorrow to invest in a table so that I can leave my half finished projects out and (fingers crossed) get them totallyt finished a little faster!! Also means I'll be able to leave my sewing machine out the whole time - yey!

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  3. Get you! The bag looks fantastic, lovely material too..and completely agree with you on the book on your bedside table I have one too :)

    Mrsshilts.co.uk

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  4. Isn't it nice when things work out the first time around, at least enough to be passable? Especially if you learn things for the next time. Very nice!

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  5. I love the bow bag! Are you going to make any to sell?...they would go like hot cakes!

    Bellaboo :o)

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  6. Ali I LOVE it. I would commission you to make one of these for me so that I could buy it! It's gorgeous.

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