All dressed up, and nowhere to go. At least not yet.
Back in March, I won a gift certificate from The Red Hen Shop for participating in the 30 Quilt Design Challenge 2018 hosted by Sandra of mmmQuilts. Here are the fabrics I chose.
A little while ago, I managed to find the perfect companion print to that little dress fabric, but now what to make? I considered different options and ended up making another bag. I love bags — the bigger the better! Funny thing though, my handbag is small. Go figure.
The little dress fabric is from the Sewing Room fabric line by Amanda Murphy for Benartex. The lining fabric is from Sewing Studio 2 by Cynthia Frenette for Robert Kaufman.
Isn’t that lining fun? I thought it was the perfect complement to the little dresses.
Like my Palm Canyon bag, I didn’t use a pattern. I just began to sew, cutting the pieces 20 inches by 21 inches, along with two pieces of batting of the same size.
I spray basted the batting to the dress fabric and stitched lines 1-1/2 inches apart with my walking foot. The batting was too light to support the bag, so I found some stiff interfacing in my stash and ironed that to the batting. It wasn’t the best fix, but it’ll do.
I used up the last of my cotton webbing for the straps. Each strap measures 18 inches with a 9-inch drop.
I cut the corners deep, so it’s more square on the bottom than rectangular. The corners measure about 10 inches across, so the bag bottom is square. The bag is about 14 inches high, and about 19 inches from side to side at the top.
The little dress fabric is a nod to my Grandma Selma, who was a seamstress all of her life. I can recall watching her cut out patterns on her living room floor (often combining patterns to make something different), fittings in her living room, and seeing her sitting for long hours at her sewing machine. The little dresses remind me of all the beautiful dresses she made.
Now to decide where to take my bag. She is all dressed up and ready to go!
What about you? Do you have fabrics that remind you of people who influenced your creativity?
Linking up today with
- Finish It Up Friday – Crazy Mom Quilts
- Can I Get a Whoop Whoop – Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday – Sarah Goer Quilts
Wendy
What a sweet little bag, Wendy! I love the two fabrics, such fun!
Thank you, Sandra!
Wendy, I can see why you chose those dress prints! They’re adorable! And I can feel the tug, as they remind you of your grandmother.
Thanks! I love the dress print. So fun to look at!
How perfect are those two fabrics together?!! I’m not a bag maker, but when I do it’s simple, basic and perfect for my use!
Simple and basic is good!
Very cute Wendy. I think your grandma would be happy with your tote. I have my Grandma Josie’s sewing box which I love. But I don’t really remember her sewing. It was probably more for mending. She was much more a gardener than a seamstress.
Super cute bag! Seems like a bag like that needs to go shopping– for fabric or clothes, your choice! Happy weekend!
Thanks! I think so too!
Oh my gosh…that is *very* cute!
The things my maternal grandmother sewed for me are always in the back of my mind when I sew/create anything. Thanks for sharing your story.
Oooh, if I lived down the street from you, we would be putting this bag to good use by doing some serious shopping and filling it up with you know what. Love you bag and would you believe I have this dress form fabric in my stash but never saw the little dress fabric before-what a perfect combination for a bag. You should try Bonsal R form, I think that’s what it’s called, for bags. I used it on one and boy did that bag stand up by itself.
I usually use Soft & Stable, but I was out of it, so I made do!
Hi Wendy! What a nice post and a great homage to Grandma Selma. My aunt was a gifted seamstress – she could make anything. I wish I had started sewing and quilting while she was around as I’ll bet she would have had lots of tips for me. That lining fabric is just PERFECT for this bag and the cute little dresses. You’ll just have to take or make an outing to show off this cute bag. Happy Friday to you, friend! ~smile~ Roseanne
You found the perfect lining fabric, for this sweet little bag.
You’re right, the perfect compliment. Thank you for the tutorial.
That fabric is so much fun! Perfect for a tote bag. I love making bags like that, too! I would also love to find a stiffer batting or fusible interfacing for them, so they keep their shape better.
I love that bag and the fabric is so much fun! It is fun when we buy something to challenge us, isn’t it! Nice work just winging it on a simple bag.
What fun fabric you chose for a bag-nice work my friend!
Very fun and stylish! Hope you find the perfect place to go with your new fashion accessory.
Thanks, Kate!
I used to do that all the time, combine a couple or more patterns to get a new look! Adorable bag; funny I just used a dress form fabric in a recent 100 blocks Tula Pink challenge. Good idea to make the bottom square too.
Thank you, Sandra. I think I’m going to like the bag 😊
Beautiful fabrics make a lovely bag. Don’t you love when the outside fabric talks to the inside fabric like that?
Yes, Preeti! It was the perfect match! Thanks!
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