Cargo bag number three

This version ties for first place in my favourites!  It has tons of external pockets, is a good size and really tough denim.  I look forward to sellling this!

Card trick bag

This is a fiddly bag to cut and sew, but well worth the effort.  It always seems to end up looking impressive, and the design suits the different colours of denim which I find so well.

This one came out particularly well, with the black, white and blue denim contrasting so well.  I used a black and white print for the contrasting border.

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Using what you have

This is an example of fussy cutting.  When I found these jeans with bright green printing on them, I knew I needed to make use of the feature.  So I cut round it, and teamed it with this green contrast strip.  I was really pleased with the result.

Large zippered pocket bag no 2

This one uses a vibrant red and white print as the lining and, as can be seen clearly here, the edging for the zip.
The fabric is actually from a duvet cover.  Masses of fabric for me to use up - and no stress if I mess it up!
The zips are recycled too.  Good thing, given how much they cost new.  A recent challenge (on a day when I didn't want to stir from the sofa and TV) was to sort these into sets of the same length.  This was a tedious, but incredibly useful, activity.  Unfortunately I found I only had six zips of the right length for this bag, which leaves me with something of a challenge....

Hanging hearts mark 3

These are the most successful so far.  I brought in from the garage my various bags of scraps, and thoroughly enjoyed cutting up those pieces I knew I couldn't throw away, but couldn't find a way to use because of all the parts which could not be sewn through.  The advantage of hearts is that they are easily manipulated to use what is usable.

Dennis the Menace Backpack

I have a friend to thank for the lining and contrast on this bag.  The lovely fabric is a cartoon print of Dennis the Menace and the Bash Street Kids.  I am really sad to have used it up, but feel that I have made excellent use of it on this rucksack.  Hopefully a purchaser will snap it up!

Money apron

Another version, this time with a plain green edging - hopefully suitable for men as well as women.

I like...

"Chocolate is the answer.
Who cares what the question is?"

Oh yes!

Hanging around

For this bag, the contrast again came from curtain fabric, but this time from one piece from a curtain sample book. In fact, there was not quite enough for the whole bag, and I had to supplement with a coordinating piece - but I don't think it is obvious!

Patchwork bear

This bear came from the book 50 Fabric animals.

I had fun making him, though I wish the pattern had come full size.  I'm planning to make more animals from the book - the bunnies are next  on my list.


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and

This little piggy....

The first version of this bag (in pinks) proved very popular and I sold three versions last year, even though they were only made for the end of the season.  Hence I have stocked up and made three versions for this season.  This one is a floral one - a mix of slightly Victorian floral prints.  Cute.
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Long flower bag

The length was not entirely deliberate, but at least one bag of this length has already been sold, and I am finding another one the ideal thing for transporting my racks and rails between shows.

Zipped cargo pants bag

I may be in danger of getting carried away here!

To add to the bags from cargo pants (which I have to say I am loving!), here is a version with a zip.

Don't get too excited now!

Hanging hearts version 2

Here is my second batch of hearts:

These were made from a template I found online, but amended by "fussy cutting" - ie, cutting to maximise the fabric available.  Actually, they proved ideal for using up scraps of pockets etc which I had not been able to use any other way!  They are also very satisfying to finish off in front of the TV on an evening when I cannot face using my sewing machine.
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Light-weight cargo bag

This is another of the bags made from trousers with pockets all down the legs.  The fabric for this one was much lighter in weight, and I am not as sure about it as the first.  However, I admit it might look better once I have pressed it!

Big zippered pocket bag

 A church friend has enabled the making of these bags, by kindly sewing up a multitude of pocket squares into sets of four.  "All" I then had to do was add the gussets, zips and linings.

When I initially started with making bags for Utange, I told a friend (who frequently reminds me of this) that "I can't do zips".
Well, clearly I can do zips now. 

That's not to say I enjoy using them.....!

However, I have had so many demands for bags with zips that I am having to overcome - or face head on - my dislike!

Simple bag

Another version of this bag for a little girl.  I plan to restock these, but also to try to make them with a zip at the top.

Easter bucket bag?

For some reason I can see this style of bag being used by a child to collect eggs on an Easter egg hunt.

Maybe it is the colours, or maybe the thought of using the pockets to put eggs in.

Padded hearts version 1

These little hearts were my first attempt at hanging hearts.

I was reasonably happy with them; they were quick to sew up and finish, and will be at the "budget" end of my sales.  However, I wasn't entirely convinced by the shape.  I was surprised how much the heart shape seemed to elongate on sewing...  An improved version was needed, and I have managed to produce one!

Rucksac

This pattern came from last month's Sewing World magazine.  I love it!  I have made five so far; here is the first:

Although there seemed to be a lot of cutting (well, given that I made five bags I guess that isn't really surprising!) the bag structure is logical and straightforward.  It sewed up beautifully.I fact, I was caught out and had to wait for my orders of catches and sliders to arrive in order to complete the bags.  I'm looking forward to putting these out at forthcoming sales.

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Another stallholder apron

You will find the tutorial for this through my tutorials page.

This version of the apron has a trimming made from African fabric, courtesy of a generous donation from the lovely Ronnie.

Music

Please notice and appreciate the careful positioning of this bag - in front of (part of) my husband's collection of guitars, mandolins and other stringed instruments.  The slogan reads, "I love music."

Playing with fabrics

For this bag, the contrast fabric comes from a curtain which I was given.  The blues are lovely and fresh and make a great contrast with the faded denims.
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Teddy time

My second soft toy project came from the lovely book "Quilt and Sew Country Style" and is this cute little teddy:

I have six more to complete - all are sewn but not dressed yet.  More to follow!
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Wacky houses

I love this bag!  I found three different house designs to use, and teamed this with a really vibrant fabric pack from HobbyCraft.  The effect is delightful, I think, and I suspect this bag will be snapped up early on - in which case I will have to make more!

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Fanciful flowers

Another version of the very popular flower bag, with a flower made partly from denim.

I quite like the effect of the denim.  I'm toying with the idea of making more of the flowers to be sold separately, with a pin to attach them to bags.  Maybe customers might like to be able to customise their bag to match their outfit?!

Mini Belinda style bag

I'm not sure about this yet.  I think more work is needed on the design still.  Perhaps the addition of a zip will help; I have several more in the making so need to do something.

I really like the way the squares are arranged; there is just something not quite right about the finished product, and I think it is the lack of a closure.  Back to the drawing board!

Cuffed bag

The cuff on this serves no purpose except for decoration, but is a great opportunity to show off a fabric.  I have some African fabrics which would be good used in this way.

Gym bag

This bag has been a long time in the making.  I need to remake this style in greater numbers before my sale season begins, as it is always popular.

Great as a handbag or a gym bag, this version is somewhat longer in length than normal as I used two sets of pockets.  I think this might be worth repeating - especially given the number of pockets I have in stock!

Cargo bags

I have had a selection of jeans and cargo pants in my garage which I was unable to work out how to use for some considerable time.  With pockets down the legs, they did not lend themselves to cutting into strips of patches.  I had an idea that they could make a complete bag each, but could not figure out how to do it.  This week the answer came to me.  I spent a day cutting and sewing and finished off six bags really quickly - once I had it figured out, it was really easy.  I am so pleased with the results, particularly with the jeans.  (The cargo pants are much lighter weight and consequently so is the bag, and it does not hold its shape as well.)

This version ties as favourite.  It is a heavy grey denim and has a total of six external pockets, three of them with fastenings.  Fabulous!

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