Patchwork Bag Extravaganza #2: Basic Overview of the Bags

This is a post that I thought I had posted a while back so it is a tiny bit out of order to the one right before this. In this post I am going to walk you through the bags we are making , talk about their size and how I like to use them as well as talk about fabric choices.

Show below are (4) different bag patterns made with the DENIM & DAISIES patchwork “cheater cloth” print, the Kraftex paper in the ‘natural’ color that we talked about in the previous “materials list” post as well as a few coordinating DENIM & DAISIES fabrics for accents!

As mentioned in the previous post, to save time and energy feel free to quilt a larger piece of your patchwork to use for several bags and adjust the patterns as you go if needed. Alternatively just work on one bag at a time and make each one different.

IF QUILTING AT HOME

You may have already heard about how I like to quilt my bags and small projects at home. I call it the ELONGATED ZIGZAG stitch and I use it pretty much for every bag, pillow, pouch or small wall hanging or table runner. GO HERE to see my post about it and some close up photos or GO HERE to see my simple YOUTUBE TUTORIAL for this method.

For these bags, I was tempted to use a denim thread, but ended up just going with my standard go to, Aurifil #2000 ivory 50 wt thread. I think a denim color would be lovely as well but I almost always prefer to look of a neutral ivory thread for all of my projects since it just adds to the overal “vintage patchwork” look I am always going for.

I did use a blue thread for finishing straps and bindings on these bags, however, and those of you working from the kit have received that same blue thread.

IF WORKING WITH A LONG ARM QUILTER

If you have a long arm or a long arm friend or trusted collaborator, this is a great thing to ask them to add on to another project that they are working on for you. If you have a neutral ivory print for a backing you can just ask them to add some of your denim patchwork or other bag fabric to the end of a project [using more of the same backing] for an easier and less expensive way to have it quilted for you.

Alternatively, you can also send over several pieces or pieced sections, depending on your project and your long armer, and ask that they quilt them all on one background piece. Not everyone might be willing to do these things, but it never hurts to ask!

IF WORKING WITH OUR BAG EXTRAVAGANZA KIT

If you are working from the denim and cream cheater cloth patchwork from our multi bag kit and you plan on making all of the bags, then it is very important that you pay attention to what pieces you are cutting from which part of the fabric. Pay close attention to the cutting diagram we included with your kit so that you have enough for all of the bags.

I may have already mentioned this before, but if you are feeling a bit more perfectionistic and need things to be centered with your printed ninepatches, you might not have enough for all of the projects to be laid out in a specific way. Play around with your placement and see what you can come up with before cutting each individual piece

BAG LADY

USE: This is a large tote bag, app. It pretty roomy and would fit a rolled up quilt, groceries, flea market finds or I love making seasonal bags and bags with my latest fabrics, especially when I want to enjoy a brand new collection of fabric. But for the most part, I just want a bag that is roomy, neutral, east to assemble and goes with everything. That is this bag! The leather look-alike accents only make it more special and give it that extra “tailored” feel.

• For this bag you will be cutting (2) main bag panels as well as (1) bottom piece from the patchwork.
• You will be choosing a woven fabric and cutting (2) pieces for the straps. I have used several of the wovens from the DENIM & DAISIES WOVENS collection. I would recommend the plain chambray ones, the “dobby dot” [the official name for the woven elongated dot on chambray] or the dark blue chevron. We have the Chambray or the “dobby dot” in the shop if you are in search for one.
• This bag is not bound and simply tucked under at the top so no binding is needed.
• All the accents that you see are made from the Kraft Tex paper- the bottoms patches, the outside pocket and the strap tabs. Out of all of these, only the tabs are actually necessary [they hide the raw ends of the straps. The other two are decorative so it is up to you whether or not you wish to add them.
• For the seams inside you can choose to leave them raw and finish them with a zigzag or overlock stitch or you can choose to bind them in coordinating fabric or even an accent fabric [this fabric would be your choice and not included in the multi bag kit].

Pattern available via PAPER or PDF.

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KIMBERLY’S SACK: REMIX

USE: I use this bag as my go to cross body bag and end up wearing it on my hip most of the time. I tie up the strap to fit exactly across my body and go about my shopping day. It is fabulous if you like to have a smaller bag with you for a few essentials and you just like to forget about it while you go about your day. It is a perfect size to sit on your hip and not bother you as you go about y our business.

• For this bag you will be cutting (2) main bag panels as well as (1) bottom piece from a coordinating woven or print fabric. I chose that “dobby dot” for the bottom of my denim patchwork bag and a caramel print from DENIM & DAISIES for the cream cheater cloth version.
• You will be choosing a woven fabric and cutting (2) pieces for the straps. I have used several of the wovens from the DENIM & DAISIES WOVENS collection for these. I would recommend the plain chambray ones, the “dobby dot” [the official name for the woven elongated dot on chambray] or the dark blue chevron. We have the Chambray or the “dobby dot” in the shop if you are in search for one.
• This bag is bound at the top in these examples [but it can also be turned through a side slit and finished with no binding at the top as shown inside the pattern]. Any coordinating fabric would work for the binding and I stuck with my “dobby dot” for the denim and the cream paisley from DENIM & DAISIES for the cream bag.
• There are no special accents to this bag other than the (2) side tabs, an optional inside pocket and your handles.
• There is also an optional button and fabric loop that you would add during construction. To be honest, I like the look of that but seldom actually use it and just “flop” my top over in this bag when I use it.
• This bag has a separate lining that you will be making as a part of your bag making process so your inside seams will be completely covered in this one for a clean finish.

Pattern available via PAPER or PDF.

Sometimes all you want to do is whip up something quick and simple without a lot of doo-dahs just because…well just because you need a good excuse to carry the newest fabric collection around with you wherever you go. Right? Well this is that bag! Simple construction and easy piecing will make this little bag one of your all time favorites! We have made it in 5 different fabric collections and versions over the years and you can see the fun layer cake versions on the back of the pattern.

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LITTLE JELLIES

USE: This has been my “go to” pattern for about a decade and I use it every time I have a new set of scraps that I don’t want to waste. I sew them up into a square or a rectangle and go from there depending on what I have. I will be showing more on this one once I have finished all the other bags and we have lots of fun scraps to work with!

• For this bag, your scraps and pieces can determine the size and use.
• You will need a zipper in a variety of sizes depending on which size pouch you decide to make and of course that means an excuse for a cute zipper pull!
• If you have had a larger piece of patchwork quilted up… these are perfect for those precious quilted pieces that you just can’t bear to part with!!

Pattern available via PAPER or PDF.

Once you master the simple method used to make these bags, you will want to make them in every shape & size imaginable. They make fun little bags for your own needs & great gifts! Whether making sewing bags, a small cosmetic tote, or a bag to hold your favorite flat iron, knitting needles, or collection of skinny tools, these bags are quick to make!

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DENIM PATCHWORK TOTE

USE: I use this bag on a daily basis as my “go to” over the shoulder bag. It has been in heavy use since I made it last year as a sample for the pattern and the Kraft Tex is holding up beautifully. The whole bag could use a little soak soon and I will keep you posted on how it goes when I wash it for the first time. Its a good thing that my beautiful leather handles just unclip and can be set aside for that!

• For this bag, you will be cutting out two main panels, your lining and a Kraft Tex bottom. Nothing else for this one unless you are making your own handles.
• If making your own handles, I would opt for a denim woven like we did in the other bags or perhaps a caramel print mimicking the color of leather like suggested below as a Kraft Tex alernative.
• If you would like to opt out of using the Kraft Tex… that is totally fine… I would recommend choosing a caramel print that will mimic the color of leather [like I did on the Kimberly bag above]
• I opted for these beautiful Italian leather handles that we discovered at the H&H Tradeshow last year. We carry them in our shop when they are available to us so be sure to check back to see if we have them in stock again soon.
• Details for this bag only include (4) tabs and the binding on the top. You can also bind your seams inside for a cleaner inside finish. Of course if that feels unnecessary to you, a simple overlock or tight zigzag stitch for any inside seams is also fine. I go back and forth when I make bags. Sometimes I want it to all be nice and pretty and professionally finished. Other times I am totally okay with some quick zigzag finishing on the inside and a bag that I can use right away without any more fussing. The option on inside detailing is always up to you, your needs and your personality!

Pattern available via PAPER or PDF.

See THIS BLOG POST for a pattern showcase on this new beauty!

Go HERE for a brand new YOU TUBE TUTORIAL on this bag.

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A FACEBOOK GROUP SEW ALONG

EDIT: KITS SOLD OUT.

With THIS KIT you will have enough fabrics and hardware to make all 3 of the bags mentioned and you will have some leftover fabrics to make the smaller pouches [LITTLE JELLIES]. Be sure to read the kit listing carefully! The only things not included in this kit is whatever lining fabric you want to use and fusible fleece or foam (or whatever you like to use for the middle of your bag sandwich). 

EDIT: Since the large combo kit sold out, we have added several of the most important “ingredients” we use for these bags including the WOVEN DENIM PATCHWORK, the DENIM CHEATER CLOTH, the CREAM CHEATER CLOTH, DOBBY DOT WOVEN fabric, CHAMBRAY WOVEN fabric and other fabrics. CLICK HERE to see the yardage section of the shop and see some of what we have available at the moment. Or better yet, see what you LQS might have in stock for you!

Also, you may have noticed those special Italian leather handle straps shown in the above DENIM PATCHWORK TOTE photos…lucky for you, we are also selling those in our shop HERE. We fell in love with the weathered feel, the perfect “whiskey/cognac” color of the leather and the ideal length the moment we laid eyes on them. The beauty of these is that once your bag wears out or gets soiled or you simply decide it’s time to make a new one…simply unhook the straps from your bag and reuse them in a new bag. We plan on having ours for as long as a regular leather bag would last… forever maybe? You can alternatively make your own fabric straps from the extra caramel print cotton fabrics in the kit.

To say I am EXCITED to take you through the steps of all of these bags is an understatement. I hope you join us for our month-long sew along over in our FACEBOOK GROUP.

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Happy Bag-Making!

-Joanna