Sunday, January 11, 2009

This is the bag that Dad got...

But first a back-story...

My Mum and Dad's Christmas request last year (sounds so long ago already...) was that we could only give gifts if we didn't spend any money. So I decided to make them both a bag from fabrics already in the cupboard. And I almost did it without spending anything - I did need to spend a little on bag hardware but the fabrics were all there already!

Mum received these bags...
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And she was wrapped!!

My Dad is a gadget man and uses a 'dilli-bag' to carry all the gadgets around - GPS for geocaching, GPS for the car, mobile phone, camera, chargers for each... you get the picture.

Dad's bag was the same pattern as Mum's (the Small Tote Bag - by Nikki) - the one with the flap and the taller body shape. I did make a few small adjsutments... I added a divider pocket and clips and used plastic hardware. I did have trouble finding the plastic fittings that I had in mind and didn't have time to order any and so bought a cheap bag at a bargain shop ($6) and cut off all of the fittings - including the rubber shoulder guard. I used a 'manly' olive-green linen-like fabric for the outside and a hand-dyed peice that I did ages ago (try March 2006!) And this is what I came up with...

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Inside out...
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And Dad loved his bag too!!

6 comments:

fontainefleurie said...

Don't know if I had any comment before, but I like the inside out bag very, very much', much more than the out-inside...! Feel free to read my other blog www.dovadi.web-log.nl/fiberfusing. Regards, Dorie

fontainefleurie said...

Again one - why don't you try the bags from the second hand shop of flee markets and take away all the stuff you can uses, I think this will be much cheaper than buy a new and than stripping it for the usefull things. Here in Holland I buy a second one for 1 or 2 Euro's... greetings Dorie

Lex and Judy said...

The are lovely - your're right. We do love them both. They look good, sit well, both on the shoulder and on the table/floor (don't flop over). Thank you (Mum and Dad). ox

Jeana Marie said...

the bags turned out really great, sophie! if you are missing your machine too much, you are welcome to come have a go with mine :) welcome home too ... i meant to write a not to you to say that days ago!

Aussie Jo said...

Hi Sophie,
Just realised you had started blogging again when I followed a link from Nikki's blog. I'm making bags too.
Your bags are lovely. If you're interested the Geelong Embroiderer's Guild are starting up a Creative Fibre Arts group, actually 5 of us are meeting tomorrow to plan the program for the year. Email if you are interested.Cheers

Katy said...

I love your bags, i just finished this pattern too.. isn't it great to work with...

I love the black gold and red fabric, it's beautiful..