Tutorial and Pattern: Wrap Strap Bag!

Ok :-) the tutorial and my first ever printable PDF pattern is HERE!!

Click here to download the pattern for this bag

Click here to download the tutorial for this bag

Happy making!! I cant wait to see what you guys do!!

Edit 3pm 29/07 ... ok I just realised long time readers of this blog may not 'get' this bag, lol, it had wraparound straps which make it easier to use when you're carrying a baby in a sling.  And if you're carrying your baby on your front you can thread the straps through the side loops and tie together at the bottom to wear as a backpack!

the idea is not unique to this bag, but this bag is constructed very differently to other babywearing bags, with a view to making it easier for people to DIY at home :-)

EDIT 7/8/12
The eagle eyed among you will notice that this bag has side loops similar to the popular Onbag. If you've ever attempted to make an Onbag you will be able to see that the construction of this bag is entirely different.

Advantages of this bag/tutorial over the Onbag/tutorial

• This bag has separate straps 'pieces' this means that the whole bag can be made out of 1 metre outer and 1 - 1-1 1/4 metre of lining fabric - this is substantially less than Onbag which requires you to make the strap, bag base and body out of a 3.5m length). 
• This bag comes with a full printable PDF pattern. This will help you ensure you cut exactly the right shapes to construct your bag. It will also make the bag easier to make for experienced sewists who are used to using paper patterns.
• This bag comes with a full printable PDF photo tutorial. There's also a full collection 65 of work-in-progress pics over at my flickr to guide you through every step of the way.
• This bag comes with a zip closure as standard. Fully explained in the tutorial, no meed to worry about sewing it, or keeping your belongings secure when out and about!
• This bag is designed for DIY'ers. All you need to put this together is a sewing machine that does a regular straight stitch and a zipper foot. No endless rolled hems, promise!

Finished: Wrap Strap Bag

I got a bit excited about this one and forgot to actually post it on the blog... whoops!

If you're not on my facebook page you should be! You'd know ALL about this if you did!

Ok so, if you dont carry your baby in a sling this one'll have really passed you by, but the 'nappy bag' situation is a real problem for slingy mamas! so here's a bag with straps that tie around you and your baby, and it can also be converted to a backpack for when you're carrying your little one on your front :-)

Craft Swaps: Metal Swap - Recieved \m/!!

OK, about time I shared with you what I recieved from AWESOME first time swapper Azura on Craftster in the Metal Swap I'm organising. Notice how with every item she encloses a lovely little printed note with a 'backstory'... thats what makes a swapper a GREAT swapper:


First, an adorable Les Paul keychain. Azura noted that I mentioned Les Paul was my favourite guitar shape from a comment I made on the discussion board (are you taking note crafters?) my keys are already on this...

Nick Nak Bags for Bits and Bobs

yeyy more fused plastic bags!!

 

behold! ... what I'm calling a 'mini tote' and a clutch bag! ... click here if you want to know more about plastic fusing.

Lets look more closely and compare to previous attempts!
Lets look at the prototype

This bag was constructed out of 7 separate pieces (the sides and base were made from fusing bin bags together) and the straps are also made out of fused plastic... which took a long time and made bloody uncomfortable handles! the raw edges are exposed inside.

Now lets look at the next generation:

Improvements:

1. Closures!!! a Zip on the clutch and Velcro on the tote
2. Simpler and more effective construction process... each bag effectively now only contains 2 pieces of fused plastic (front and back) and the sides and base are made using this technique. This eliminates the need for finding colour coded plastic to create bases and sides... . something that would be impossible :-) 
3. Lining! isn't it pretty!! it opens the door for adding pockets etc and really gives a better finish to the completed article.
4. Cotton webbing tape used for handles: makes MUCH nicer handles (ones that don't scratch your arm to bits!) Making handles out of fused plastic just not practical given the unpredictable nature of the 'shrinkage' that occurs with fused plastic.

I'm so pleased!! :-) I cant wait to make more and maybe even start selling some!!

I even BUY things that look handmade

 

Isn't it sweet? ... yes I COULD have made it myself... but the point is Kate Garey thought of this idea first and buying *is* quicker than making :-)

Thankyou Dollydagger

K9/TARDIS reversible bag!!

oh companions!!


here are very purple person's pattern and tutorial
Here's my tardis/k9 templates, and my pocket pattern

I'm such a geek!

so... all warmed up for the Dr Who Swap on craftster :)

ALL the fabric used here is actually upcycled, the white floral stuff was a duvet cover I got for free from a carboot sale and the funky 70's brown stuff also came from a carboot sale, and it's a curtain :-) I'm MAD paying £1 for a single curtain but I loved the pattern... I thought I might make a skirt out of it but there wasn't really enough....

Anyhow the video explains everything I did differently to Very Purple Person ...please let me know if you use my applique templates, I'd love to see what you make!!

x G

KAWAII chubby bow bag

Wanna see something really cute?

I made this cute little shoulder bag out of a turtleneck jumper!! The lining is a pillowcase, and guess how much I paid for them?? NOTHING!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I picked up both free from a car-boot seller who wanted to go home, the jumper was ruined because someone had tumble dried it, it was supposed to be size 10 but looked like it would only fit a 3 year old.

I used 3 different tutorials:

• Not Dabbling In Normal did a great tutorial on turning a sweater/jumper into a bag, ages and AGES ago my artsy friend Catie suggested the link to me on facebook.
• To line the bag I consulted Very Purple Person's reversible bag tutorial... clearly I didn't use the pattern... and it's a bit wasted because it's not a reversible bag... but it's a good way to line a bag.
• And oh-so-cute bow was crafted out of the turtle neck collar from the original jumper using the Parisienne bow technique which I fist discovered on Burdastyle, but now have etched into the back of my sewing brain.

This bag also includes a little embroidered tag so when I get famous whoever owns it will be able to sell it for lots of money :-)

but enough talk, more pictures!!!

x G