Obviously....

So, obviously I made a bag.

I made it for me and even though I forgot the magnetic claspy thingo I am pretty happy with it. Whenever I try something like this I lament my lack of drawing skills. But really who's to know I wasn't going for the whole naive childlike quality on purpose???

and yes, I made the bag when I should have been making Christmas gifts, or planning for Christmas, or making lists or sending emails, or doing housework or organising end of year school crap or taking my very sick computer to triage, but it was either make a bag or have my head explode.......so I chose the bag.

but you know in the cold hard light of day I have to admit that the exploding head may have made a more interesting photo.

It's a ghost blog

Can you see the tumbleweed blowing through this blog? Do you here the coyote howling at the moon? - well maybe not quite, but I have had a bit of an unscheduled blog break.

No big dramas just the minutiae of life and work getting on top of me there for a bit and whilst I am normally a "not drowning, waving" type person , this week past I was definitely drowning.

The crafting has been in fits and starts but I am back on track with a list of jobs to finish / start this week.

I managed a dolly dressing gown for the Mirabel doll (she is cut out but not sewn yet.)

My mum scored me a huge pile of cottons

and right now a strong cup of tea and a block of chocolate are calling me plaintively from the kitchen.....

That and a hand sewn zippered bag lining ......... hmmmm

1 hour bag- tutorial

This bag is so easy !

This is the new bag I made to take back to work this term. It took less than an hour from choosing the fabric to dumping my junk in it. In fact this tutorial took waaaayyy longer than the bag ! (the colours are great in real life but the orange doesn't photograph very well - sorry )




This pattern is on a piece of A4 paper so I'm sure you can work it out from that. It needs to be placed in the fold of your fabric as marked.



You will need:

Using the pattern piece and cutting on the fold of your fabrics.


2 pieces in your handbag fabric
2 pieces in your lining fabric
2 pieces in wadding or batting to give your bag a bit of body.
1 magnetic purse snap (optional)
2 x 6 1/2 inch squares of fabric for the pocket (optional).
2 strips of fabric 3 inches x approx 29 inches for the strap
1 strip of wadding about 2 1/2 inches by 29
2 large Buttons




Start with the pocket. Place your squares right sides together and sew around 1/4 in ch in from the edge. Leave a gap for turning (maybe 3 inches). Snip off the corners being careful not to cut your stitching.

Turn right sides out through the gap. . You might like to iron it. I like to do one line of stitching across what will be the top of the pocket but that is just for looks.


Pin your pocket to the right side of one of your bag linings. Sew around the sides and bottom of your pocket being sure to catch the gap you had for turning in your stitching.



I like to do two lines - looks good and adds a bit of strength too.


Now put your other lining piece right sides together with the pocketed one and sew around the bag, again leaving a turning gap at the bottom.



Take your bag fabric pieces and affix your wadding or batting to the wrong side of each piece (if it is fuseable). You need to sew all these four pieces at the same time. Your fabrics need to be right side together with the wadding on the outer of each. (check out the pic above if it doesn't make sense) Pinning might help stop these from moving too much.




Sew around the sides and base of the bag with a 1/4 inch seam. You may want to clip the corners , this will help your curves be nice and smooth and curvacious. Turn the bag right side out.



Now with the bag right side out- slip it into your lining. (This means you will have the right sides of your lining where the pocket is, against the right sides of the bag.)



Sew around the top opening of the bag.


Turn it all right side out through the gap in the bottom of the lining. Then tuck the lining inside the bag, smoothing it as you go. Pin around the top and topstitch.



This is when I like to add magnetic snaps. Putting your hand inside the bag through the lining gap you can poke your snaps through and affix them. Some people like to put a little circle of cardboard on the inside but just use a scrap of wadding or wadding reinforced with some interfacing.


Then that is it for the bag , you can hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.


The strap is super easy- Just place your pieces right sides together and sew along the length of the strip on both sides. You could add your wadding at this stage and sew it in but my fabric is a bit thick so it will be hard to turn, so I didn't add it yet.


Turn right sides out so you have a long tube. Then using a safety pin I just thread in a long strip of wadding for body.

Tuck in your ends, either on an angle or straight across and topstitch all around, ,making sure you catch the ends into your sewing.


Sew the strap to the bag - you can do this by hand or machine - add some buttons for decoration and you are done.



Obviously you can jazz this up as much as you want - maybe patchwork some fabric together first, add some trims, super easy and versatile ! Hope you like it!

Come and visit my new blog at Jodiericrac -it's just a baby blog so far -but it is going to be fun !

The post where she finally says it out loud!

This week has been full of little crafty things - nothing spectacular.

I noodled about a bit and finished the boys sun hats.

and a little backpack

I made a bag for a new little friend called Iris.....................

and I kinda opened an etsy shop as well.

So far it is going super well- not one single hassle, it has really lived up to all my expectations.

Truly.

What? Really ?

Oh I am meant to put things in it? Made things?

Sheesh! and sell them to people ? and make up prices and think about overseas postage and make a banner and think about wrapping and packaging. Then I have to think about postage times and currency conversions and layouts and photos.

oh!

I think I might have to get back to you on this one guys!

shhhh, its a little giveaway

This is what I did in 2007.

I am not sure what 2008 will bring in my craft world. I have ideas (and doubts) but I'll keep you posted.

Arriving very very late to the party, I have just signed up and organised bloglines, seriously!!! What was I thinking, checking all my favourite (over 80) blogs every day.........it took so long. Now I just check in and read the blogs of people who have updated. I can't believe I didn't do this months ago. It also means I have added more new blogs to my ever growing list.

I have been having a bit of sewing time - I popped over to Flower garden the other day to make bags. Annie's daughter and our other craft friend Sue was there, we each made a bag.

It's not hard to guess which is mine is it?

I am determined not too keep everything stored in the sewing room this year so this little bag is up for grabs. Just leave a comment today and I'll pop back this evening or in the morning and choose a winner at random.

Ok enough with the teapots I know - this is the last one I promise.

and the craft goes on

I hope you all had a great Christmas day. Ours was good, with a little afternoon Nanna-nap. It was also very very loud!!!!! Mr Ric-Rac's dad and Grandma are both quite deaf and Grandpa's hearing aid seemed to be picking up alien signals all through lunch.

He had the kids in hysterics, each time he waved his hand (or anything else ) by his head , the hearing aid started sqweeblebroxpopping like crazy. Of course Grandma got cross and told him off so he rolled his eyes behind her back and sent the kids off into peals off giggles again. It was all very relaxed really , apart from the shouted conversations and Grandma telling everyone off (for being too jolly perhaps?)



Yesterday was quiet so I gave myself a quick project , it has been in the brain pipeline for ages. The bag is made from canvas from spotlight so is quite heavy duty. I have lined it and put in a covered templastic base for a bit more support. I am thinking it might be good to keep in the car so I can use it at the shops? or the library? or just into the stash with all the others?



I have a few more images like this one - Isn't she gorgeous? I scanned the magazine cover and then printed it out on that plastic backed fabric that can go through the printer. I'm sorry I have used it all so can't tell you what it is called but I think it is pretty readily available.

That is the lead article in the November 13 edition of New Idea circa 1963. There is some seriously good stuff in here housewifey's, like tip number 81. Time-saving trick: when cutting celery or French Beans into slices, put two or three together on the board and cut through the lot .

wow ! who woulda thunk it?

Or number 38. Ideal for the hostess: glue tiny shells to plastic or wooden toothpicks and use when serving hors d'oevres or small sandwiches or cakes.


AHA !!! Now if only I had glued some tiny shells onto toothpicks and stabbed them into the food, Christmas day would have been perfect.

and some crafting

After feeling like I was getting nowhere in the crafting stakes, I did manage to put together my new bag .

This is made with the most beautiful fabric panel from Kristen Doran. I bought this fabric and drew up the pattern months ago but just didn't get to it until the weekend. I originally had a blue gusset as well but it just became too large so I took it out again.

Inside there are lots of pockets and I lined it with chocolate brown linen - Easiest bag in the world to make as you add the handle later -


Do you dig the covered buttons ? I love them !

The dollies are getting there as well - I am always scared to do their faces as I have had to perform a few total head transplants in the past after their faces became demonic looking - I now no longer sew the head on till the face is done !

I am just finishing off their frocks and toying (ha ha) with the idea of little travel bags and then they will be done.

Then it will be wallets, boy dolls, boy monkeys, bedroom painting , attempting to paint a tree on a wall, more spotty bags, some new things that might not work and some kind of half thought out stuff with the vintage fabric haul.

* editors note: The last statement should by no means be taken as fact, some or all of these projects may be changed, altered or never even attempted.

Crafting clearout Giveaway!

In true style, I am now bored with painting (hmmm pity there is so much left to do).

So whilst the gentlemen ric-racs were busy watching football today, I had a bit of a clean out.

As you guys probably see, I do tend to sew a lot. Thing is, then I leave it hanging around the sewing room or in a tub and then....um....nothing really.

So all of these things are now in need of a new home. they have never been used, just made and ignored as I begin the next project.

scribble - GONE to Tara


felted jumper bag - Gone - to rebecca

ugly betty bag - Gone to tassie

pirate monkey - Gone to Lara

monster - Gone to Mel (and David)

frilly tote - GONE to sarah

If you would like one - please leave a comment saying what you would like-I'll try to edit the post so it will be obvious is something is already claimed. In the spirit of general niceness, maybe one thing each.

Please include your email in your comment if I can't contact you through your blog - cause I'll need to know where to send it ! Go on pick something !


Thanks guys.

and another one bites the dust !

And another one down and another one down and another one bites the dust !

YEH!

I made this with a felted jumper. It is the same pattern as the previous post but the handles are attached to the body of the bag first and then sewn into the bottom seam. (does that make sense? ) No magnetic clasp for this one as I have fallen out of love with them lately. The bag I made for myself a while ago has a large magnetic clasp - so large in fact it is hard to open and my pulling at it has started to tear the lining - yes I can fix it but I can't be bothered. Bigger is not always better Jodie !!!

I have also been toiling away at "The Big Project". I have quilted a mass of this fabric - probably more than I will need- It is the same fabric as the bag handles - lovely patterned black - the photo has just washed it out a bit.

I want to say a huge Happy Birthday to Annie - pop on over to her Flower Garden and wish her a happy birthday- she might just give you a slice of cake....

Getting nowhere fast

Apart from the mammoth felting day I seem to have been just diddling along and get nowhere in the craft stakes.
So with the rest of this week not at work , here goes.

• I need to come up with a basic boy doll and girl doll shape for a project i said i would do with Grades 5 and 6 at school. My plan is that each child will create a doll with their own face on it. I have 5 two hour sessions - This is my gorgeous niece Rosie who agreed to be my proto-type face. We will paint on the basic clothing and then embellish after that..... This is a non - negotiable must do craft for this week.

• This bag needs to be finessed (actually started might be a better term. )I have done nothing but cut it out and make but not yet quilt the straps.

• These two bags need linings, pockets and straps - like hardly anything really.
  

• Poor little Poppy is still nude but she is all sewn up and even eventually got a tail.

Today at the op shop I got the cutest bag ! It kind of fits in with my coat hanger collection so it may end up on the wall I think. It is made of all those little chopped up bits of plastic. aaaaah what a craft !!!

The BIG project that I have bought all the fabric for involves a hacksaw, bolts, nuts, screws, staple gun - lots of fabric and crossed fingers. I haven't started yet but I am determined to do it - Can't wait to show you (if it works of course).

Also have some crazy stripey legged dolls and hedgehogs slam-dancing in my brain this week as well. They may just have to be happy with being consigned to a piece of paper somewhere for another day at this rate.