Friday, May 10, 2019

Something for the grands.........

When I gave our daughter her Sling Along Bag Nora loved it and so she called me and asked me to make her a bag.  It is way too expensive to make that bag (I'm going to write a break down of costs post on that next week) but I said I would make her another bag and asked her what she wanted on it and she said owls.

Remember the post from yesterday and the owl fabric?  I decided to get some of that.


When I went to the store they didn't have any in the teal colour, just yellow and red.  I chose the yellow owls, which turns out to be a drapery fabric, which is quite canvas in feel.  Luckily it was on sale for 50% off, but still cost $16.00 a metre.  Now as you know I have six grandchildren; the youngest nearly 1 years old and the other's between nearly 3 to 6 years of age.  When I make something for one I make for all of them.  So as there are two boys in amongst the six I knew the yellow owls wouldn't work, so picked up the fish print and I picked up the green as lining.  They were on sale for $10 a metre.  Those two fabrics are indoor/outdoor fabrics.  All fabric was from Fabricland.
 So what did I make for the five eldest, Kid's Messenger Bags.  I used this pattern but will give you a couple of suggestions and ideas.  The owl ones are for the two eldest girls.  The fish ones are for the two youngest girls and Sammy.  I did not make one for the baby.
 Super cute eh?  A perfect size for a child.  I used cotton webbing which I get from DailyLike Canada  for the straps.
 Now one thing I did differently was due to the fact I had directional prints and I didn't want my owls or fish being upside down on the back of the bag which would have happened if I had only cut one piece of material for the exterior, as it says in the instructions.   I cut two pieces of fabric which were 12 inches wide by 9 inches high; instead of 12 inches wide by 17 inches high.  9 inches high to take into account for the 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Now despite me doing this I still managed to sew one panel upside down😔  Luckily the front flap covers it, so you don't notice.  I put in magnetic snaps in three of the bags.
 Although I didn't, you could add inside pockets very easily.
 In two of the bags, I added buttons for closure.  As Sam and Jeina are getting the same print bag, I added a bird button to Jeina's so it's different.  The owl one with the silver button is for Nitara.
This is a fun project, BUT my poor machine was not happy sewing through the many layers especially when sewing the inner and outer bags together where the seams and handles are.  I used a heavy duty Jeans needle because if the weight of the fabric.  

This pattern could be sized up no problem and I have a few ideas on what else I could do with it.  

7 comments:

Joy said...

Brilliant bags. You could so easily go into business with work of that quality and attractiveness, I think. I'd order like a shot (and pay the postage)!
xx

T'Pol said...

You are one very cool grandma! Love the bags. I have two dolls from my childhood. One of them is wearing a dress my grandma sew from the scraps of her favorite dress and the other is wearing a dress my grandma knitted from the leftover yarn from a cardigan she knitted for herself. I should post a picture some day.

Julierose said...

Beautiful bags!! You are so creative...I have never sewn on canvas...but it will make them very sturdy...
Love that owl print--so adorable. they will be so happy to get them I am sure...great job!
hugs, Julierose

barbara woods said...

So cute! I make quilts for each of mine but it takes me a while with 22 grands

Karen said...

Fabricland always impresses me with their upholstery and drapery selections. Ours, not so much with other stuff.

William Kendall said...

Beautifully done!

Jackie said...

You always make the neatest things.

God bless.

{{{SIGH}}}

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