Bags, bags, bags...

I had a producteve day yesterday, working well into the evening (1.30am so I guess that's through the evening and into the morning!) on a couple more bags.

This time it's the Hobo - yes another of Nikki' s patterns - you know where to look it up by now!

On the go are 2 different Hobo's and I've finished matching purses for each. I hope to get them finished before Christmas but there's one more that I want to attempt and get into the post by Monday - I'm thinking the small tote so I should be able to whip that up (I'm thinking man bag... but that's all that I'm giving away...).

Pictures later. Right now I have a bit of work to do - yes it is a Sunday but deadlines are deadlines and if I want to go on holidays then I need to get it done - and then we're off to the city for a spot of shopping (or perhaps crowd fighting) while Bryan works. When we get home it's straight to the sewing machine sewing-sewing-sewing-sewing. I really am enjoying all of these bags.

Oh and I have 1 and a half of the motifs to hand-sew on Sue's Japanese quilt before we leave on Wednesday. And all of these bags and purses that I've been making except one, need to have the linings sew up (hand-sewn). That's 4 purses, 1 small tote, 2 Hobo's and hopefully another small tote - but they're all pretty quick to do. That should keep me busy til Wednesday.

Hmmm, I also need to pack sometime before then too.....

A family of bags...

Over the past few days I've managed to sew those bags that I cut out about 2 weeks ago. Did I mention that they were all cut from the same fabric?...

Actually I still have one little purse to sew but the zip I had was the wrong size and it was a metal one that I can't cut down to size. Also it required changing cotton - the others all used the same colour cotton which makes sewing in multiples very easy.

The two larger bags are both from the same pattern. This is another of Nicole Mallalieu's patterns - small tote bag. This is one of the beginners level bags and one which I hadn't taken much notice of until one day when I was browsing the patterns online. I was amazed at the variations that could be made with one pattern AND that there are hints/instructions on how to make the variations. I had also thought that it might be a bit small but I was wrong! I love this pattern!

So let me introduce you...

Small purse...

Small tote - short version - with plastic handles. I used the medium-heavy weight interfacing that Nicole sells and added fusible wadding to give it extra body.

Of course it also has internal pockets and a magnetic catch... And I like the red lining - no loosing things in a dark bag here...


Small tote with flap... This one is made of a fine corduroy with the same interfacing and wadding as the one above. Only the flap is made of the fancy material which is just enough I think.

The gold rings are just perfect too (I wanted to make an adjustable strap but I didn't check the width of the strap first and the ones I have are too wide )


Of course it also has a pocket and the red lining!


These are a great size to make as they are pretty quick and not overly fiddly. I'm itching to make some more!! Not sure that I'll get any more done before Christmas though.

slow progress...

I've neglected my blog of late... Most of my thoughts are taken up with thoughts of our house that is in it's very early stages and all that goes with it (colour choices, loans, deposits, conveyancing, where we want power points....)

I am slowing getting the hand-stitching done on Sue's Japanese Quilt and only have 2 and 3/4 blocks to go. That's about the equivalent of 3 movies worth of stitching (as long as the movie doesn't have sub-titles as last nights choice did...)

I've also cut out fabric for 2 handbags and 2 zippered purses which I've been working on bit-by-bit. I'm currently up to ironing on the interfacing and have been grabbing time whilst I take a lunch break to do a bit. (I'm struggling between wanting to sew bags and wanting/needing to get the handsewing of the quilt finished). I also have a few other bags planned but thought I'd better not get too far ahead of myself!

So as nothing's finished and you've seen enough of the quilt, I'll leave you with a pic of Tyler - the Supervisor in her new and very UPSIZED bed!!