A Bunch of Bag Tutorials

It's End of School Year Teacher Gifts planning time.  For one of the Teachers I was planning on making her a bag, using natural linen, vintage kimono fabric (red) and red chirimen crepe for the lining - very 'zakka style'.

So I'm sharing some of the Bag Tutorials I've found and may use for the gift.  The first tutorial is Fabulous Retro Travel Bag By Melissa Mortenson of polkadotchair.com at Riley Blake.

Ruby's Party Bag by Nicole Wilmore of Our Cozy Nest for the Moda Bake Shop.  I love this red!

Convertible Sling Bag by Bag'n-Telle.  Now I know this bag is leather but I think you could still make it in fabric.  Although you can buy this gorgeous soft faux leather at UniqueShiny (they sell real leather too).  It's my new favourite Etsy shop as they also have a fabulous selection of natural linens, double gauze and cottons.



Apple Picking Tote over at Purlbee.  Maybe a little bit too utilitarian, but I'll pin it for a later project!

Messenger Bag Tutorial by Ditzy & Dotty.  Cute!

Carry All/CarpetbaggerTutorial over at Weekend Designer.  Maybe a little bit too big and bulky.


Preppy Pleated Purse by KojoDesigns  I like this one a lot, although maybe a bit too small.

Pleated Lined handbag by Warehouse Fabrics Inc This may very well be the bag I go for as it's so smart and a very thorough tutorial.

I love this Weekend Bag over at Weekend Designer.  That bag says "Grrr!" to me, maybe a male teacher bag.

Pleated Tote by Thimble.  You can't beat a jolly good tote and the pleats on this make it extra roomy!  I do quite like this one too.

1 Hour Bag Tutorial by VintageRicRac.  On your marks get set.....

Skirty Bag (Up-cycle) by WhipUp   I love the recycling of this skirt.  If it was made from scratch, I think lining fabric in between the pleats would be really cute.

I will let you know which one I made and post a picture of it.  Do you have a favourite Bag Tutorial you could recommend?

Thank you for dropping by!

Giveaway & Survey Was A Success!

I'm delighted to say the Giveaway I Sponsored over at VeryBerryHandmade was a resounding success, the survey was completed by nearly 100 people.

Congratulations to the Winners...

Helen Hickman won the fabric bundle from my own stash.

Janet Rushant Constable won the book from Amazon, Stash Happy: Patchwork by Cynthia Shaffer.  I just about managed not to keep it myself, definitely one for my wish list!!!

Photo © Amazon

And 'Ann' won the £5 voucher at The Fabric Marketplace.

THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to complete the Survey, I really appreciate it as there was some brilliant feedback that I will work on putting into affect.

Don't forget if you have any excess fabric that you don't need any more or fallen out of love with, just pop them on The Fabric Marketplace - with no listing fee what have you got to lose?  

Lots of people who completed the survey said they couldn't wait to see more stock on there - customers are waiting!

Thanks again and have a really great weekend - whatever the weather!

The Fabric Marketplace Bundles and Last Chance To Enter Giveaway!

With the chance to enter the Giveaway at VeryBerryHandmade running out I thought I would share some of the fabulous destash bundles that have been listed on The Fabric Marketplace and proving to be very popular.



Cloud 9 Miscellany Fat Quarter Bundle from Regina Clyde.

4" Liberty Charm Squares from Ali Burdon of Very Berry Fabrics.

Vintage Charm Squares from Mary Emmens.

Hearts and Flowers from EmmasFabric.

Cath Kidston for Ikea Rosali Bundle from EmmasFabric

The past week has been brilliant the way the bundles are being snapped up so quickly.  Without doubt bundles of fabric are always so popular, especially the smaller sized pieces, which are useful in so many projects.

If you're thinking of dipping your toe into fabric bundle selling, like Ali at Very Berry Handmade, check out this previous post How To Start a Fabric Business With No or Very Little Money, where I give some hints and tips about selling bundles of fabric from your own stash.

And for a last chance to enter The Fabric Marketplace Giveaway at the Very Berry Handmade Blog click HERE for full details.

Thank you for dropping by!

The Fabric Marketplace Giveaway

I am really excited because 'Super Blogger' Ali at VeryBerryHandmade is very kindly hosting a Giveaway that I am Sponsoring in the name of my website The Fabric Marketplace.

There are 3 prizes to win:

Prize 1: A bundle from my own stash.

There are 28 pieces, mostly Fat Quarters (there maybe at the most 5 that are slightly smaller). It includes 1/2 yard of Alexander Henry’s Leis Luaus and Alohas on black, there’s some Kaffet Fassett, Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey, Scooters by Monaluna and some Love fabric by Amy Butler.

Prize 2: A great book from Amazon, Stash Happy: Patchwork by Cynthia Shaffer.

Photo © Amazon

Prize 3:  A £5 voucher to spend at The Fabric Marketplace.

I would really love some feedback on the website, so to enter the Giveaway I'm asking entrants to complete a survey (don't worry it's short and you don't need to complete any personal details).

For a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes, nip across to Ali's Blog HERE for full details.

Closing date is 14th May.

Thanks for dropping by and GOOD LUCK!

Musical Tote

Check out this fabulous Appliqued Tote Tutorial by Craft Snob.  What makes it particularly great is that it is lined, which makes it extra strong and lends itself to a subtle colour addition, which is a gorgeous flash when you look inside.  Here's a version I made for Amelie, she needed a 'music bag' big enough to hold her recorder book and long enough for her recorder.

I have a huge roll of natural calico, which did the job beautifully!  Here's a close up of the soft pink applique.

Hmm, I really don't think I have any business doing machined applique, my usual sewing style - 'wonky'!

Look at this fabulous flash of colour, it's Picket Fence from Free Spirit.  I was thinking how nice it would be to have the lining fabric on the inner side of the handles - too much maybe?

Before I go, you might want to pop across to The Fabric Marketplace as there have been some great new products added.  In particular scrap fabric bundles that Ali at VeryBerryHandmade has added, perfect for applique projects.  She is dipping her toe in fabric bundle selling and in preparation for a Giveaway she's hosting with me/The Fabric Marketplace as Sponsor.  It's very exciting as it will be linked to a Survey for The Fabric Marketplace.

As always thanks for dropping by!