18 February 2006
Hooray -- Green Bag is finished! Here it is, in all of it's greeny, baggy glory:
Click the image to enlarge. I feel like I've been planning and making this bag for at least a month now. It started when I was rummaging around my scrap basket and patched together some Liberty odds and ends. I really liked how the little swatch came out (which I then 'ruined' by turning into a pouch I'm not altogether happy with), so that's where the inspiration for the patchwork band came from.
I had originally envisioned the body of the bag being made out of deep red velvet -- once I discovered how much velvet costs, I decided to dye some corduroy red instead. In the end, red wasn't meant to be; I found a great big cusion cover made of velveteen (which, it turned out, was what I had really wanted/imagined all along and is much cheaper than velvet) at Ikea. I used the dyed corduroy to line the bag, and the combo is really nice.
It's a very big bag, because I am a very busy and important person who often needs to haul around entire families of cats a camera and my lunch and an umbrella, etc, etc. I'm not a tiny person (I'm 5' 8" or 9", depending on the day), but it still manages to look more like a small piece of luggage than a purse:
That photo is proof to my theory that I'd look much slimmer if I didn't have a Minnesotan bum attached to me. Bag camouflage will work for now.
Some of my favourite things about the bag: The lovely piping. The randomly gathered velveteen, which gave me an excuse for mistakes further down the line -- it's just the style! The little badges I've pinned on -- the stripey badge looks amazing, considering how simple it is (thanks again, Manda!). And I've just remembered I've got buttons/badges from Tania which I can add!
So. That there's my bag. Hope you like it.
beautiful! i'd love a bag like that, the shape and size is just perfect - and of course the fabric and colours too :-)
posted by q at February 18, 2006 11:10 AM
Anna, it's lovely. I think you could sell a line of them to Liberty as the ultimate 'slimming' bag. I have to say, though, that I didn't think you were in any need of camouflage.
posted by Jane at February 18, 2006 01:29 PM
wow, it's wonderful. I love it, it's really my kind of bag: huge and a bit hobo style but not too much. Piping always adds that plus something to anything.
great great great
posted by cimba at February 18, 2006 02:21 PM
Love it, especially the piping. Looks nice and soft!
posted by Anna at February 18, 2006 03:09 PM
Can I have it?
posted by momma at February 18, 2006 03:16 PM
That is a beautiful bag, I love the gathered effect, the fabrics, everything. Did you make the pattern yourself. It is gorgeous!
posted by Blair at February 18, 2006 03:31 PM
I saw that bag when it was just a cushion cover. I suppose you were right not to do as I suggested and just attach a rope to either end of the zip. Although, you know, that would have worked just as well. I imagine.
posted by Mermaid princess at February 18, 2006 03:59 PM
I like it very much. You did a great job.
posted by A.J. at February 18, 2006 04:18 PM
i love it!!!
posted by rebecca at February 18, 2006 04:32 PM
This came out beautifully! You can never have too many bags- especially this size! :)
posted by joleen at February 18, 2006 05:09 PM
Aaagh, the bag is beautiful! I love the piping, too. Out of curiosity, what kind of closure (if any?) did you use for the top? I made a couple bags a few months ago and what I intended was sort of like what you've actually achieved. ;) (Apparently I've only mastered zippers and drawstrings. Pah.)
posted by jessie at February 18, 2006 05:20 PM
Blair -- Yep, the pattern is my own. It was a tricky one to puzzle out.
Jessie -- I used a magnetic clasp at the top. I don't like bags that are too fussy to get into (with zippers), but the clasp keeps it from gaping wide open. They're really easy to put in (no special tools required), as long as you don't think of it at the last minute. . . once the bag is sewn up and finished. . . requiring you to rip out a few inches of seam to install them. Not that I'd make that mistake!
Also, my top tip for crafty things -- buy a proper snap setter. They look sort of like pliers with special things at the end, and they make putting in snaps SO quick and easy.
posted by Anna at February 18, 2006 06:33 PM
I LOVE your bag Anna! It's exactly the sort of bag that I love to use. It's looks fantastic! And I love the way the badge looks on it!
posted by manda at February 18, 2006 10:43 PM
Ooh Anna, our spooky colour thing continues, I have THE SAME Ikea cushion to make a bag with (to match my fave green cord coat).
My design not as gorgeous as yours though, and I never quite manage to get piping to look so good as that.
posted by cally at February 19, 2006 01:43 AM
Wow, this is so, so great! The colours are gorgeous, and the patchwork detail makes it extra special. Love it!
posted by Fiona at February 19, 2006 04:24 AM
What a beautiful bag! You just totally inspired me to pull out my sewing machine after a very long hiatus :)
posted by parikha at February 19, 2006 10:15 PM
i thought of you this weekend while reading the february issue of Vogue Latinoamerica...there was a whole spread about over-sized bags. they are the latest trend! how stylish are you??? :)
posted by risa at February 20, 2006 05:00 PM
Thats GORGEOUS. I might just have to make one like it but in different colours :b
Velvet can be cheap or expensive, depending on the type and where you buy from. Cotton velvet (like clothing-weight velveteen, which is often furnishing-weight) can be bough for between £6 a metre and £15 a metre.
Viscose Velvet (the shiny, but not crushed stuff) is usually slightly more expensive but way easier to find.
Crushed velvet's just icky though, and is uber cheap :b
xx
posted by Catherine at February 21, 2006 11:21 AM
PS, I've never had much luck with magnetic closures. The last one I used was fine when I installed it, but a week later it was so magnetic I needed a knife to pry it apart x_x
posted by Catherine at February 21, 2006 11:31 AM
Catherine -- Thanks! The velvet I originally looked at was at MacCulloch and Wallis, and was about £60 a metre. I guess it's the GOOD stuff, for. . . fashion students and. . . velvet hat-makers.
That's weird about the magnetic closure you had. I've used them for loads of bags and never had a problem like that!
posted by Anna at February 21, 2006 05:15 PM
That is the BEST bag I've ever seen! I carry around a lot of crap and I've never been able to find a bag big enough without looking like I'm on the run.
posted by Jasmin at February 21, 2006 06:20 PM
Gorgeous, Anna! You should feel very proud!!!
posted by Alicia at February 21, 2006 10:51 PM
£60! Wow!
This place will post fabric to you; this is where I get my £6 cotton velvet, although its hit and miss what they have in stock at any one time.
posted by Catherine at February 22, 2006 09:57 AM
Such a beautiful bag! I especially love the shade of green. It appears spacey but not too big to me. I've been planning for a new bag pattern also - let's see how much of an influence your beautiful bag will be! ;)
posted by outi at February 22, 2006 09:18 PM
me ha encantado el bolso. muy bonito.
posted by yolandasatelite at February 24, 2006 08:41 PM
wow - I LOVE that bag. it's a great design and perfect size. You did a fabulous job.
posted by mary at February 25, 2006 04:13 AM
That bag is great! I especially love the accent fabrics along the top... they really POP against the green background. I just found your blog via whipup.net -- it looks really interesting, keep up the good work!
posted by Zarah at February 25, 2006 10:25 PM
that is a fabulous bag! you should sell those. i would buy one!
posted by shobhana at February 26, 2006 02:29 PM
just found your site - LOVE it! i love all your craftiness!
that bag is FAB U LOUS! very fun work!
posted by rebecca at February 27, 2006 03:46 PM
Your bag looks wonderful. Thanks for buying my cards.
posted by nichola at March 7, 2006 12:35 PM
adoro todo tu trabajo, pero este bolso sencillamente es lo mas hermoso que he visto.
muchos cariƱos desde chile.
posted by maite at January 18, 2007 08:44 PM