Cross Body Bag :: As Simple As It Gets!

Before you get too excited, I do not make bags.  I do not enjoy to make bags.  I find making bags beyond my capability and frustrating.  Other people can whip up gorgeous ones that blow my mind and I love seeing them.  They just are not in my wheel house.

I do however have one bag I make that suits me perfectly.  It's as simple as it gets, which is all I need.  Small in size, a three section pocket and a long wide strap that I can fling across my body.

10" x 10"
Cross Body Bag

My current bag has served me well.  Over time it has become a shabby worn out tattered and very sad looking accessory!  I knew one day I would make another, and hallelujah! that day finally came!

While waiting for my big sewing machine to come home (it has since returned), and being in between projects, I figured it was the perfect time to check it off my list.



Since I had been thinking about this for a long time, I already knew what fabric I was going to use for this one.  With pink being my current favorite color, I decided to finally use my Maker Maker Lines fabric for the outside.  It's has the pink I want, yet subtle and is a linen/cotton blend.  The lining is Freespirit Fuchsia.  It's a good combination for me!



I used a fusible fleece on the outside and a medium weight fusible interfacing for the lining.  As you can see the basic construction is so simple!  Think fabric baskets, but tall and skinny!  Outside, inside...plop together...sew...turn...viola!!  You got a bag!

I will say that I don't make these often or make fabric baskets often, so I have to think very hard when it comes time to assemble!



The pocket is simply a folded over piece of fabric that goes from side to side and has three sections.  One for my phone, one for my keys and one for my lip balm!  That to me is the most important component to me.  

 


















I thought I'd share the other two bags I made.  The first is a fabric my daughter made for me.  The second is a Home Dec weight Anna Maria Horner fabric.  I actually covered my dining room chairs in that fabric.  



With each version I make the only difference is the strap becomes wider!  I guess it's a comfort factor!  



Thought I'd add a fun shot of the outside before I turned it!  Now I have a new bag to drag through the mud...so to speak!  I'm sure I'll be posting in another year or two about the fourth bag in what has become a staple in my life!

I discovered today that yesterday was my 5 year Blogiversary!  How did that sneak up on me?!  I never would have thought 5 years ago that I'd still be doing this.  Heck back then I didn't think I had anything to say or share let alone think anyone would actually read it!  I sincerely love blogging!  It has opened my world!  I am so thankful to all of you who have read, commented, encouraged, inspired and keep coming back for more.  Thank you more than I can put in to words.  

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BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES

Starting a New Trend

I think for the first time ever, I'm on the front edge of a trend!  In fact, I'm starting this trend! Watch out...you may be next! 

Do you jump on the latest & greatest band wagon right away?  Or do you sit back and see how it plays out?  Really, this is one your going to want to jump on!?

All kidding aside, here is a little project I did just for me!  It isn't something we do very often or often enough.  

In a previous post, My Thread Is A Staple, I showed you the transformation of my dining room chairs after I reupholstered them with Anna Maria Horner home dec fabric.  I was lucky enough to have almost a quarter of a yard left.  I could have put it away, but me being me, I had to think of something to make with it.  What do you think?  

Cross Body Bag
10" H x 9" W

My chairs look great, why not make a bag?!  The trend I am starting:  match your bag to your chairs!  Who does that?  Can't think of anyone can you?  Which makes me a trendsetter!

The last one I made was nearly a year ago and it was getting sad looking.  Large purses are not me.  I need a small, compact, a couple spots for keys, phone and lip balm and it must have a strap long enough to go across my body.  

I had to cut and piece together the fabric.  Very simple job since the stack of the colors are wonky anyway.  Plus I added fusible fleece because I like a little cushion and it looks better after quilting.  Luckily it was just enough to cut off a basic pocket for the inside.  This one needed to be a little bigger than the last one, so far all the stars are lining up!

The pocket is sewn on to the lining which has a light interfacing.  It has three pockets for the three most important things I carry!  Boom done, easy peasy, simple simon!

I do not make bags often.  I can count on one hand how many (not including zipper pouches).  They freak me out!!

For the inside I went with Kona Wasabi.  Wasabi, Wasabi, Wasabi!!!  I love that color, perhaps my favorite ever!

I didn't do a lot of quilting on this.  I quilted organic straight lines, changing the thread color a few times for a little drama.  Stitched up the sides, boxed the corners and then had to remember what to do next!  I  forgot!  

Putting it together is so easy (once I remembered).  Just like a fabric basket.  Right sides together, add the strap between the outside and the lining, pin, sew around the top, leave an opening in the lining for turning, and it was done!  

It looks huge in this picture!  It isn't really.  A mere 10" H x 9" W.  I like my bags (by that I mean purse) long, I like them to smack me on the butt when I'm walking...not really smack me, sway with me!

And for Leanne at She Can Quilt, the chair and bag!  Because you know you want to follow this trend!  

I almost made a tutorial, but think this is such a basic, simple design that many could whip it up just by looking at it!  Plus, have you seen how many cool bag patterns there are out there?!

Do you love to make bags?  What is your best advice for those of us who are intimidated by the thought of making one?

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Itajime Cross Body Bag

Itajime Shibori.  What?!  Itajime Shibori is a shape-resist technique.  The cloth is sandwiched between two pieces of wood or plexiglass shapes and clamped together very tightly.  The shapes prevent dye from penetrating the fabric, creating some amazing designs. 

I received this Itajime fabric from my daughter, Britt.  When she was first starting her Fiber Education she was required to try many different techniques.  This was not her favorite, but she came out of the class with some pretty gorgeous pieces of fabric.  This piece has been sitting around for way too long!  

10" x 10"

I mustered up the courage to attempt a new purse.  I am not known for making bags and frankly, I'm not comfortable making them.  They never turn out right!

So, I decided yesterday to kill two birds with one stone...use this fabric and make myself a small bag. You can't get any simpler than this one!  But could I pull it off?! 

The piece of fabric was not large.  I had to work with the width and that was fine.  I wanted smallish.  One piece for the outside, solid for the lining, fusible fleece...oh, and a little pocket too!  I lightly quilted the outside, but I didn't want to go overboard.  

For some reason I decided to square the corners.  Which I'm fine with.  A long skinny handle was the final decision.  Super easy, super fast and in all honesty...I had fun, I like it and plan on using it!

I will admit that it took me awhile to figure out how to assemble this!  I know, like I said I am 'bag challenged'!  I looked several patterns from bags to buckets!  Seriously!  I got this! Give me simple!

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