In my quest for the perfect bags, which seems to be a never-ending quest, I have been looking at plenty of styles and sizes, and learning a lot along the way! My sister was kind enough to provide to me an overflowing box of upholstery fabrics she found while cleaning up and clearing out during their move. Not only did my cats love acquiring so much free fabric, I did too! I love using upholstery fabric for bags of all sorts, and jackets too, like this one.
So using my Graphics App, I drew up my plans for another tote bag, smaller than my last one, and went through the upholstery fabric box to find the perfect fabric to repurpose into a tote bag.
I pulled out my Singer 421G for this heavy duty job. I used a lightweight fusible interfacing on my inner lining fabric to add a bit of shape and a fusible fleece on my outer fabric to add a bit of soft cushioning and shape.
Fusible fleece – and a peek at the striped fabric I chose from the upholstery fabric box!
Let’s breeze through making the zipper pocket in my inner lining.
Next my zipper flaps were made with my outer fabric.
Bag lining pieces were sewn together.
Outer fabric pieces sewn together, corners drawn in and sewn.
Strap tabs were made and attached to my outer bag.
Inner lining and outer bag were sewn together and topstitched.
Then I had my doubts – these rings are not one piece. Would I they be able to hold the weight of a laptop?
Presto chango! I unpicked the original tabs and sewed in new D ring ones.
The adjustable bag strap is made. It can be shortened or lengthened to my wishes.
My finished tote bag!
I think I quite possibly have enough of this striped fabric for a small crossbody bag! I’ll have to draw one up!
I’ll have to apologize in advance and just press “publish” and hope for the best! It appears that WordPress doesn’t like this post. While drafting, every time I looked at the post another slide show would disappear, when I pressed “preview” it was really there, but in the draft it had disappeared. I will come back periodically and check if all three slide shows are still visible – but let me know too if things vanish, ok?
Happy Sewing!
STASH BUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? None yet! Still 136.5 metres remaining. This project was made with repurposed fabrics and notions.
Smashing bag!
Thank you! 😁👍
First off, I was concentrating so much on the production of the bag, watching the slide shows and all I didn’t actually count them. I did go back after reading your side comment and, yes, there were 3 slide shows. That aside, I love the bag. You mentioned a somewhat smaller bag. You know the size/type of purse I have now, would the “new” bag you are thinking about be possible in the amount of fabric you have left? I like this bag better than the purse I have now and was just wondering if you would consider making me a new bag?
Thank you for the compliment! I already have what you might consider a medium sized one cut out, that’s next after a dress I am almost finished. BUT I do have a small crossbody bag pattern drawn up, so I could cut one of those out! I’d just have to finish the dress first. BUT I’m on a roll now so it wouldn’t be too long of a wait! We can negotiate a price privately – like your “first born son”! 😂 I’ll email you! 😁👍
Lovely bag, You were wise to replace the original rings with D rings. The last thing you need is your bag straps letting go and your lap top hitting the floor! 🙂
Thank you. Yes, there are many structural things to consider, besides good looks! 😁
Excellent make Linda. Would you ever consider using leather for your bags? Just wondering if you have any experience sewing it? I have a gorgeous piece of perforated leather and a tapestry I’m hoping to put together – but have to admit, I’m a little afraid of mucking it up!
Thank you! I do have a leather vest that my brother in law gave me. It used to fit him when he was a teenager, just to give you an idea of how much leather is in it. I am planning on a clutch sized bag with that one. I don’t really have experience with leather but when I make it I will be posting what I have learned and where I got my information from. It will hopefully turn out to be a “wearable muslin”! My sister sewed a leather jacket for her boyfriend long ago. I watched her carefully. I do remember her using heavier weight thread, a Teflon foot (I think) leather needles and also gluing the seam allowances down to make them stay flat. I’m sure there is more to it than that though! It’s all going to be interesting to learn! When we get around to these projects, I’d love to share information. 😁👍
Just found an blog post about sewing leather… http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.ca/2010/07/how-to-sew-leather-few-tips.html Hopefully you can open it!
Thats a great post Linda, thanks.
Your welcome! You know I’ll find more info and keep posting! 😊
Beautiful bag and the slide shows worked – -I’m quite impressed with your sewing and WordPress no how!!
Thank you for the compliments! I love that blue top you made and just posted on your blog – any chance I can steal it off of you!? 😂
Love the bag!
More thoughts on what to do with a box of upholstery fabric: Tote bags with shoulder straps for the local homeless shelter (all sizes, folks carry their lives in black garbage bags & Walmart bags!) Floor pillows for kids’ bedroom, college dorm or apartment. Walker bags for veterans’ or assisted living homes, especially the lighter weight masculine looking fabrics…
Thank you! All good suggestions! There is so much waste in the world it would be nice to help clean up, especially if you can make something for someone in need! 🌎😍
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting! 😁👍
I came back to have a look at my “future” bag and once again laughed at the queen of Sheba sitting on top her material pile (aka throne). Sure that cat is not part Egyptian?
😂 well she definitely thinks she is royalty!