26 May 2009

Shopping bag

My new shopping bag (in American - tote!).

I finally finished this project. I'm very pleased with it.

For many years I've taken a shopping bag out with me when I go shopping so the new 'trend' to save the planet by using re-useable bags had no effect on me. Well, that's a lie - it's just encouraged me to make more bags!!

I do wish I could find the one I made many years ago which was a 'planned' pattern made in the same way. That time I used Laura Ashley prints and made a sun rising over some hills.

I'm not sure what sort of work you'd call this apart from 'hit and miss'!!!!

I bought some iron on vilene and worked out what size I wanted the bag to eventually be. Then I took the odds and ends which I'd kept from the tatting bags and placed them on the vilene (sticky side up). I lifted the pieces and pressed under some of the edges and overlapped others until I was happy with placement etc. Then the fun bit. Out came the iron and they were all 'stuck down'. Naturally there were edges that didn't stick but that didn't matter.

Next I used a narrow zig zag stitch on the machine and went round each piece. Finally the bag was made. The handles are made of three strips of fabric which have been plaited.

5 comments:

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Hi Jane, Wow, nice bag!! What a great way to use up all your scraps. The bag is right in fasion too!

Have a great week!!

Maureen said...

Much too pretty to carry the onions home !

Unknown said...

Cute prints! That is a great way to use up your scrappies!

Tatskool said...

What a wonderful souvenir of all your endeavors. it's gorgeous. That sewing machine sure was money well spent!

Anonymous said...

In my patchwork and quilting days we called that 'crazy patchwork' and sometimes we hand embroidered over the joins - but machine embroidery is much quicker and lets you get on with your next project!

Jennifer

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