Isn't she a beauty?
This bag is a lot bigger than I guessed it would be from looking at the photos in the book and from the others that I saw. It measures 18" across the bottom. But I love the size and the shape. I love the fabric, too. It was in the bargain bonanza section for $1.29/yard. And it's decorator weight, so no interfacing required. Good news for me, as I loathe interfacing. The blue parts are cotton so I did need to interface those. They got all crispy and wrinkly. Any tips on what I am doing wrong? The interfacing is Pellon brand, so I don't know what the deal is.
I added a loop at the top, to which I will attach a key ring, so I can hook my keys on it. (I usually spend 10 minutes rummaging in the bottom of my bag to find them. And in a bag this size, with all that it will hold, it would take even longer.) I put a plastic rectangle (template plastic) in the bottom to help hold the shape.
If you want to make one yourself, the pattern is in this book. I did add length to the handles...mine are about 28" long compared to the recommended 22" in the book. Other than that, I pretty much stuck to the pattern.
Hopefully this week I will have more projects from the same book and more gifts to show you. For someone other than me.
I have that book! I've just never made anything from it. This looks like it can be a cool spring bag.
ReplyDeleteAs for the interfacing. Is your iron too hot? Did you turn the steam off?
I didn't use steam, but I did use a hot iron. does that make a difference?
ReplyDeleteI love that bag (I've made it twice) and it is bigger than I expected too. I didn't use any fusible interfacing on either, just flannel between the layers and that worked well.
ReplyDeleteLove this bag and the fabrics you used. I too, hate interfacing so I am no help.
ReplyDeletelove that bag!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag! I love the fabric you used. I use interfacing a lot and hate every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteDon't you LOVE Bend the Rules Sewing. I have made many a gift from the book, and have been aching to try that pattern, but haven't had time for me sewing (or any sewing really) lately. Now I must add it back to the project list! :)
ReplyDeleteIf your iron is too hot it can make it wrinkly. I love the bag. I hope you enjoy using it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Love the fabric - I made one of these last year for my sister, not as nice as this one!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag!
ReplyDeleteDid you press the fabric before you applied the interfacing? That might help prevent some wrinkles. And maybe change the direction of how you iron? Don't swirl it around (??) if you know what I mean.
love the bag and the fabric you used! I actually just made one last night that I still have to blog about.
ReplyDeleteI had a couple of wrinkles in my interfacing, but I just let them be and figured that they could hide out in the pleated part.
it is really great, amanda jean! i should make one for myself.
ReplyDeleteVery cute bag! As for the interfacing, the manufacturer's instructions should say whether to use steam or not. I have found that more expensive interfacing typically adheres better. I try not to use it, either. When I am making a garment and it calls for it, I just use another layer of white fabric and serge the raw edges. It works nicely for me. I don't like interfacing because, at least the cheap stuff, tends to yellow with age. I have a white christening gown in my closet I made a few years ago that is yellowing where the interfacing is. GRRR!
ReplyDeleteYour bag and fabric..so nice...
ReplyDeleteOh, I am soo smacking myself in the forehead right now! A loop for your keys!! Genius! Beautiful Bag!
ReplyDeleteI looove it! Key loos is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh that bag is too cute. I love the fabric.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!!
ReplyDeletei keep seeing this book pop up everywhere. i might have to get me one! love the bag. can't wait to see whatever else good stuff is coming. i might have to cheat, and just get the book...but i like suprises! oh the decisions.
ReplyDeleteAwesome bag!! I really love it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny to me that you, a sewing queen, were once afraid of pleats. You did an amazing job on this bag - it's really lovely. So... what fear will you tackle next?
ReplyDeleteGreat bags, great fabric, awesome pleats - I love it all !
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate that? When I made my first bag, that totally happened to me.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that the wrinkling can happen if the iron on interfacing you're using is of a heavier weight than the fabric. The fabric will have more drape, so when it starts to want to flex or whatever, the interfacing will resist this and the fabric will shift slightly and result in that gross crispy wrinkling.
Gorgeous bag. Love the fabrics!
ReplyDeleteMaybe the iron was set too hot to iron on the pellon, then you can get wonky fabric and bumbs.
What a great find for bargain fabric! The bag is lovely- don't feel too guilty i am sure you deserve it!
ReplyDeletenicky
What a great bag and the key loop is perfect!
ReplyDeletebeautiful work... great fanric..... love the loop - a definate essential.
ReplyDeleteit beautiful. I love the idea of the loop for your keys – as my keys are always on the bottom of my bag
ReplyDeleteI have that book on hold at the library right now! can't wait until it comes in! great bag!
ReplyDeleteGreat work! Love the bag. It will be a staple for you I am sure!
ReplyDeleteI love your bag! you deserve a gift. love the fabric you used too! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag, I'm a bagaholic and I think I may need to check that back out at our library. Enjoy your new goodie sometimes it's just a must to make yourself something.
ReplyDeletefabulous!
ReplyDeleteDownright awesome!
ReplyDeleteyour bag is so beautiful. Great.
ReplyDeleteLG
Elisabeth
I love these bags and your is no exception. It's making me want to make one for myself and the heavier fabric may be the way to go. It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what is happening with your interfacing? I use medium weight, iron-on all the time with my box bags and don't have a problem? Sorry I can't give you any clues.
Great bag! Love the idea of the key ring holder. As far as the interfacing, I like to use shirt tailoring. It is very similar to interfacing, but a little stiffer. It gives bags more body without making them weighty. Try it!
ReplyDeleteI love it - and for $1.29! I just love bargains.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really cute bag - I LOVE the fabric! Where did you find it in the bargain bin??? Great color and pattern!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog from the craftzine quilting archive. I think I'm in love. I have a 1968 Singer golden touch and sew that was my grandmother's that I'm basically terrified of. I come fomra long line of women who can sew blindfolded, it's a lot to live up to. I just started playing with the machine this week because I just love quilts and am determined to figure it all out. call it a 2008 goal of sorts. which led me to craftzine, which led me to your blog, as I said and yeah, I think I'm in love. you're writing is so clear. I'd love to be in on your pinwheel quilt a long. I'll be checking back to see when it starts. And I'm adding you to my blogroll, I hope that's okay.
ReplyDeleteI love this fabric, Amandajean! Your bag is beautiful and I love the addition of a key ring.
ReplyDeleteI think the bag is really cute and I liked your idea about adding a loop for the keys! Great price on fabric too, and it's cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic bag! That fabric is so beautiful; bargains make everything better, don't they?! I'll have to get my hands on that book and make one for myself.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag, I have been wanting to try that pattern, maybe now I will. Looks great and I love your green quilt too!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! I really like how you added that loop for keys, I might have to do that to the next bag I make.
ReplyDeleteI don't own the bend the rules book, so for the ones that I made I didn't actually use the pattern from the book. I ended up drafting my own pattern, so the size is different from the book. Just reading the measurements from your post, the ones that I have made have been smaller than yours & the books.
Just in case you didn't get the interfacing question figured out yet... Many int. have to be ironed at high temperatures. Two other things that can happen:
ReplyDelete1. Your iron is on the fabric too long (10-30 seconds depending on manufacturers instructions).
2. If you go over an area you already did it can bubble and wrinkle. Multiple passes cause the adhesive to stop working. Luck!