Upcycled Denim Scrap Bag

My jeans had seen better days, the hems were all frayed and the seams were starting to go, but I just cannot bear to throw things out!  Not when they could be made into something new.  But what???

I had already made dog toys for Ruby out of old jeans, which incidentally she still loves and plays with even though many of her toys were ruined within minutes of her getting them.  If you want to read about those you can find them HERE and HERE.

So I decided to make a bag.

I cut out 24 squares out of the jeans.  I didn't cut around seams and pockets though, I cut to incorporate them into the design as a bit of a feature.

Some of the plainer squares I sewed ribbon and buttons and charms onto.

Then it was time to attach them together.  At this point I decided to have the seams outwards and scruffy, but it looks equally good with the seams inside too.

I trimmed the seams back with a pair of Pinking Shears to give it a bit more scruffyness.

Soon I had the 24 all sewn up, just like this....  Now if you fold this in half, all you have to do is sew up the side seams and you have a bag shape!

Ta dah!

This is it turned inside out, so you can see the inside seam way of doing it might look nicer for you if you don't like the scruffy look.

Next I cut a piece of lining fabric, just a wee bit bigger than the bag - about a centimetre all the way round.

I sewed the bag around from the side part before it slopes to a point, but left a gap in the bottom hem so I could turn it right way in later.  Trust me, you need this hole!

After turning my bag inside out and keeping the lining right way in, I slid the lining into the bag, pinning the top hem ready for stitching.

Then I stitched all the way around the top hem, then using the little gap I left in the bottom hem of the lining, I turned the bag right way in again before sewing up that hole.

Next the straps.  I simply cut two lengths of denim the length I needed the handles to be, then two lengths of the lining fabric, slightly thinner.

Placing the lining fabric on top of the denim, I threaded my machine with a rainbow thread and sewed three straight lines down the fabrics to join.

I then top sewed all the edges on my bag to give it more definition  (and because I wanted to use the rainbow thread again   :) )

Then I attached the straps to the outside of the bag with a really scruffy square  - it was supposed to be straight, honest!

And there we have it, a roomy, perfectly usable, denim bag, made from scraps.  The only money it cost me was for the lining which was on special offer and worked out at about £2.00.

You can add a couple of press-studs too if you want to have it able to close.

Fluffy Squares

Crochet & Craic starts again on the 5th Jan.

What is Crochet & Craic, I hear you ask?

Well crochet, is crochet..... and Craic is slang for "gossip".  So it's a crochet and gossip group.

It is held up at Carlisle Hobbycraft every other Monday evening, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.   

It cost £5.00 as it is a tutored group, so you bring your own projects, anything that you are having difficulty with, and get help and support with them. 

OR.... this year we are having a monthly theme, which you can choose to join in with or not.   It is adaptable for various abilities, so you can make it as easy or as complicated as you wish.

We are starting in January with a crochet bag.   On the 5th we will look at square shaped patterns, whether it be a Granny square, a Tunisian square, a flower square or any other square that you may think of.  I will have a supply of inspiration to choose from, just bring your yarn and a suitable hook.

Over the next fortnight, and before the next session, you will work on your squares so that you have enough to complete your bag.   We will then learn how to join them, how to add a strap and even how to line your bag, should you choose to do so.

I have made a start on my sample squares.  Working a craft cotton along side a fluffy yarn to create some fabulously textured squares.

If you would like to come along, there is no need to book, just turn up.  Hobbycraft is just off Junction 44 of the M6 and we will be upstairs, you can't miss us, follow the chatter  :)

One of my "work in project"s - Crochet Bag

I so wish I could finish one project before starting another.   

As we speak I truly believe I have three projects on the go - a crochet floor mat, a crochet flowery thing and a patchwork panel.  I think of these three things as they are the projects that I have on the go in the living room, when in reality, up in the craft room, I have about 25, and I am being cautious with that estimate.

As I move rooms  (this move is taking me ages as I am sorting out EVERY box as I go) I am finding more and more half-done projects.

In the hope that blogging about them will give me the push needed to finish, here is the first one.

A crochet bag.  You can find the pattern HERE if you fancy a go yourself, but remember it is written in US crochet terms.

Using the yarn I had left from the crochet jumper I made way back in November 2013, I started a bag.  Although I did run out and have to go and find some more.  Alas when I went to get a new ball the shop didn't stock that shade, so I decided to grab a different shade.  I actually think mixing the shades worked better in this case.

Loads of ends to weave in, hands up if you hate sewing in ends  **both hands waving madly in the air**.

And there we have it  (still with ends to work) a bag shape nevertheless.

I have bought handles and a funky lining, just need a push to get it finished now.

Push me.... PUSH ME!!

My handbag obsession

My fabulous Hubster bought me a much sought after handbag for my birthday.  (My birthday was way back in May, but due to him having to back-order it, it didn't arrive until a couple of weeks ago).

I lust after Vendula bags in general, as they are fake leather  (good for vegetarians) but ever so funky and pretty.   I have been especially lusting after this Poppy Maisy bag for AGES !   The reason I have never treated myself is that I just couldn't justify it, having already squirrelled away plenty of other "must have" bags that barely see the light of day.

But it arrived, in a package, addressed to me.  I was so excited and childishly chuffed.  It does differ slightly from the one shown online, it is more like the 'Macy' style they do in other design-ways, but I don't mind too much  :)

And, I have used it...... once.   I was a bit too precious about who went near it, and that I couldn't put it on the floor in case the studs get dirty.  Hopefully that will pass  :)

Now, for those who know me on a personal level, you will be saying to yourself, "Hang on, handbag obsession?   I never see her with a handbag", and you would be correct.  You usually see me with my keys, phone, loose change, etc... stuffed into my trouser pockets in a most un-lady like fashion.  I usually dash out of the door (late) and just grab the essentials.   When it actually comes to the rare occasion that I am prepared, and on time, I find I have too much stuff in my hands and have to go find one of my bags.

So, I have dug a few of my favourites out of the cupboard to show you.  (Dusted off the moths).

In no particular order.....

Matthew Williamson, from the Butterfly range at Debenhams.   Ooooo, that was a mistake, searching for that link for you, I have just spotted another one to lust over!

But seriously, isn't this just the prettiest bag?  It has sequins and everything  :)

Also from the same designer / same range, is this one that a friend bought me years ago for my birthday.   a blooming big jewelley butterfly on this one  (although some of the gems have become loose now, I must try and pop them back in).

This little yummy, or rather super big yummy is a Desigual bag  (the 'S' should be back to front but my keyboard won't do that!)  I tracked this down after feeling the need to stop someone in the street to ask where she got her bag from, well it was either that or I was going to just grab it and run!

It is HUGE, with pockets everywhere, inside and out.  A great weekend bag, or for a trip on the train - you can get loads of crochet yarns in it  :)

This beauty I bought at a local mill shop called Linton Tweeds.  It is really an outlet for their fabrics, along with a lovely coffee shop, but they have the odd accessory in there too.  And this was really well priced too if I remember correctly.

This one is from Lakeland (a long time ago, before I became a vegetarian) and although I don't use it anymore, (in fact when I pulled it out of the cupboard just then, I greeted it like a long lost friend), it is a nice shaped bag and maybe one day someone will need to borrow it.

I don't particularly like this one, and cannot for the life of me remember where it came from, but it is the most useful bag to use on holiday - loads of pockets, lightweight, showerproof and you can just sling it over your shoulder.  Looks naff though.

Awww, cute little bag - only holds a sunglasses case and an iPhone, but it's cuteness makes up for it.  Actually, I have it hung in my bedroom just to look at.

And finally, a boring looking bad.  Faux leather again, from Accessorize. This bag was bought on holiday in York, I have VERY specific requirements (colour, shape, size, pockets) and it ticked all the boxes.  It is actually the bag that you are most likely to see me with.

The dangly teddies on one side are there as a reminder to that weekend away.  Myself & Hubster and our friends Lezley & Ian were in York for the weekend and we went into Scarborough for the day, where the boys decided they would spend some time in an amusement arcade (as they do).  To keep us ladies quiet they gave us each a little plastic tub full of 2p pieces.   We found a push coin machine which had these little keyrings in, so when the 2p's were pushed along, the keyrings got closer to the edge.

We made it our mission to empty the machine of it's keyrings.  I am not sure how many £'s we changed into 2p's, but it was a lot by the time we had finished.  The boys were bored and had wandered off down the sea-front and somewhere, in the distance, was a fire alarm sounding.

When the boys came back they said that the roof of the building next door was on fire and we should go out and look, but we still had keyrings to win, so we stayed  :)    Ten keyrings we ended up with - 5 each, probably cost us a fortune in the end.  I have three left, two have been released from their metal chains and have gone somewhere to experience the big wide world, another two have lost limbs, but one remains intact - for now.

I went off on a tangent there a bit, but I had finished talking about the bags anyway.  

All that is left to say is that during my photographing session, I emptied them all out - found a hairclip, a dry-felting needle, 17 lady products and £33.18 in loose change!

I took the £33.18 up to Hobbycraft and bought some storage boxes for my new craft room  :)  Pity it was all in 10p and 20p pieces really, but hey, money's money, right?

Spirograph Embroidery

Inspired by something I had seen, beautiful embroidered patterns, I thought they looked a little like some Spirograph patterns that I had made when  I was a child.

Trotting myself off to Hobbycraft I bought a Spirograph set - much different from how they used to be, does anyone remember those pesky little pins that used to get lost only to reappear in the bottom of your bare foot?

I also bought an embroidery hoop, a disappearing fabric marker and a cotton tote bag.

I drew some pretty patterns on the fabric - which wasn't the easiest thing to do as the blooming thing kept slipping and it took some working out as to where the wheels had to go to make the pattern match!

And also, some patterns were a little too 'busy' so I had to choose quite carefully, or adapt the design to suit with a little jiggery pockery.

Then I got to stitch  :)   (Hint:  Don't draw your patterns too much ahead of time with disappearing ink - it disappears!   Funny that  :)  )

Quite an enjoyable little craft, and so addictive. Luckily I have plenty of space left on my bag to add loads more patterns.

I am going to offer this up as a workshop - so why not come along and have a go yourself   :)

For more details and booking information, please click HERE.

Bag making with Emma from Hole House

Last Sunday I treated my Mum to an early Mother's Day pressie - a bag making workshop at The Eden Workshop in Plumpton, Penrith, with Emma from Hole House.

Emma's bags are really something else, pop over to her Facebook page to have a wee peep.

We got there at 10.00am just in time for a brew  (bucket size) and some home-made scrummy biccies.

Then really, we just jumped on in and started bag making.  Although it did take me a little time to choose a fabric as I simply could not make a decision at home so ended up taking mountains of the stuff with me!

In the end I went for the fabric that I got at the Standfast Factory Shop a few weeks back - because it was glittery  :)

All the pieces cut out, with lining pieces too, and a bit of complimenting fabric for the piping - yep, we were making our own piping too!!

I was just so chuffed with myself having done this little bit - never made piping before, never had the need really, but it looked too difficult anyway.  It wasn't of course  :)

The lovely Emma showing us the next step.

Piping now attached to the flappy bit, which I deliberately cut to try and get the flower in the centre.

Once the lining and padding was added it was starting to look all professional - so soon into the class too.  I could have happily gone home then, chuffed with just a bag flap.

Then I did the body of the bag, sewing the two sides to the wadding.  I added a sneaky button to the centre of the flower too, coz I could  :)

Break for lunch, Jane from The Eden Workshop, makes the most marvelous lunches.  Three courses, although I have been strict the last couple of times and just had soup and pudding as I can't concentrate on the afternoon's work once my belly is full of delicious nosh.  I just need to sleep!

After lunch it was time to assemble.   But which side should I use?

 This one..... 

Or this one?.......

I went for the first option so I would have a flower, with button, on both the front and back.

Strap time, again all very professional looking with buckles and over-stitching.  Oooo I am so excited!

Voilà!   Look, LOOK, I made a bag!!  A real bag, you can put things in it and everything.

And it fastens, with a magnetic popper thing.

Proper straps and everything.

 AND A POCKET !!

I am just a bit too over excited about this aint I?  Here, have a photo of a button  :)

La, la, la, la, la, I made a baaaa-aaag!

Front view.

Back view.

Do you want to see my Mum's too?  Here you go then.

A nice dusky pink number, with poppers, straps and pockets too.

It's worth a closer look .......

I just HAVE to make another one now.  What can I cut up?

Sewing Bee for me next I think ;)