I recently made a bag using the leg that I'd cut off an old pair of jeans, and as I'd got the other leg, thought I'd put it to good use and make another bag. I added these purple batiks that had been in my stash for ages, and added these super lime green handles to liven it up a little bit (as my friend Lesley says, "Limes with everything...even G&T" haha!!) and some stunning variegated King Tut quilting thread. It didn't take me long to get the outer part of the bag constructed, and I used a DMC embroidery thread to stitch the handles into place... ...I made a centre panel with 2 pockets (a small lined pocket with a zipper and a deeper slip pocket) using a pattern by Elizabeth Hartman, and adapted the size of the pattern to fit this bag. The top edge has been finished with a neat double-fold batik binding that has been slip-stitched by hand to the inside of the bag... ...and here's the finished tote bag - I really like these longer length handles, as the bag can be worn over your shoulder. This is a great way to use up old clothing. Tweed mens trousers would also work well - and I've been eyeing up a pair of Mr F's moleskin trousers - I think they'd make a fabulous bag!!
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Another journal cover - this time with 3-D applique and a surprise! Embellished with applique and plastic flowers and button centers. This tutorial is a really easy project to make..... .....I used some denim from an old pair of jeans to make this, and quilted the front with the same flower shape that I had used for the applique, then quilted the back with straight rows..... .....the batik flowers have been appliqued in different ways - satin stitch applique (this was done VERY slowly!!) with a Mettler silk finish cotton thread, and free motion applique with a variegated YLI quilting thread. I added a "foil" flower with the add of some steam-a-seam 2 and some red craft foil. The plastic flowers were great fun to do, (they were Philippa's idea - I thought she was mad!!) and I added a button centre for all the flowers..... .....and the surprise? The 3-D pink flower has been backed with a bright lime green batik!
I've been cutting up my worn out jeans again!! This time I've teamed up the denim with a bright doggy-print. This is a Laurel Burch fabric that I had been saving for a special project and decided to use it for my sister's birthday - what could be more special than that??..... .....I layered the doggy-print with some fusible pellon and a piece of flannel, to make a very structured lining, and added lots of rows of quilting in a grid-design, using a navy blue Mettler quilting thread..... .....this is the bag inside out. I have neatened the bottom and side seam with a black and gold Laurel Burch print, and added a key-holder to the top edge. I used the same fabric as the lining to bind the top of the bag, so when the bag is turned out the right way, you will see this gorgeous fabric on the outside too..... .....a really cute pair of dotty leather handles were the finishing touch to this tote bag. I added a label to the outside when I sewed the sides together, just incase she forgets what a fabulous sister she's got!! Happy birthday Becky - hope you like your pressie!! (Becky is the sister that designed my blog for me a couple of years ago for my birthday - and she's now helping my sister Lisa to do a blog too). I have been very busy over the last couple of weeks drafting a pattern for a tote bag, and have made a few samples using the same basic pattern. This version was started yesterday, when I spent the day with my friend Helen (unfortunately I didn't actually get much sewing done - must have been too busy yakking!!). Anyway, I had an idea to make a "thrifty" bag, so decided to upcycle an old pair of jeans..... .....I used some fabric that I had bought from Fabric8 a few weeks ago, when I went shopping with my friend Val. I've quilted it very simply with a 3" cross-hatch design, and used a navy blue Mettler quilting thread. I used the bottom half of one leg of the jeans for the back of the bag (which was quilted completely) and the top half of the leg of the jeans for the front. I quilted the lining and added the front afterwards, and just quilted around the pockets to stop the layers from shifting, as I didn't want to quilt across the pockets!..... .....this picture shows the inside - I love this fabric - I added a useful key holder and of course one of my labels just HAD to added - this one has been sewn onto the outside of the bag as a design feature..... .....and here is the completed tote bag, complete with a pair of very smart brown leather handles. I'm really pleased with how this has turned out - Mr F had better look out as I might cut up his old jeans and shirts!! I'll share a tutorial later showing more details of how to make the basic bag. I've still got the other leg of the jeans left over, so watch out for another bag soon! In a previous post I showed you a very patriotic bag that I had made ready for my trip to London last weekend. Well, I had a small piece of the screen-printed canvas left over. What better way to use it up than to make another bag!! I teamed the canvas with a piece of denim and made a tote bag (my own design - whoop whoop!!) and this is the result. This was very simple to make as I decided to quilt the bag and lining all-in-one so just had to neaten the seams with binding rather than make a separate lining. Easy peasy!! Oh and yes I have sewn one of my labels in the bag too - if I get any admiring comments when I'm out and about with this bag I'll be able to say "ohhhh - it's a Nicola Foreman Quilts original"!! And I just love these red leather handles (note to self: next time I decide to sew a pair of leather handles in place, wear a thimble!!) - I've now got a VERY sore finger from attaching these, but I am SOOO pleased with the result. This bag will be going with me to the Festival of Quilts later this week in Birmingham. I think I NEED to buy some more of these handles in other colours. Maybe in navy blue. And lime green. And red - I definitely more red handles!! Update: I've had several emails asking about the canvas I used (and thanks for your comment too Sheila! - anyway, I bought this fabric a few weeks ago from a local fabric shop called Fabric8 in Felixstowe. I had gone for coffee with my friend Val, and when we saw this in the window of the fabric shop we couldn't resist it! Unfortunately there isn't much info on the selvedge - just Made in Spain by Vilber. It was extra wide so we bought a metre then cut it half - as you can see, I've made two bags with mine, so it was great value for money! |
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July 2023
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