My Purse Week 2012 Entry: The Run-Around Bag!
I am finished. I have stitched. I have uploaded and played with the pictures. Whew! Introducing my entry: The Run-Around Bag. It measures 13″x14″ with a boxed bottom and 20″ strap. What do you think? I am so happy with how it turned out and am still debating weather or not to keep it or put it in my store. If I keep it, I plan to use in for daily use or maybe on days I have to shuffle kids to and from their activities. It’s roomy enough to put my iPad and all my normal items in. I could also fit in my MacBook with no problem either. I love the custom homemade feel of it and I hope everyone does too.
The front quilted area is actually a large pocket. Well, The button was stitched on and then I stitched it down the middle under it to create two nice-sized pockets for a cell phone or snack. The top of the pocket as well as top of the bag was hand-stitched with my fiber to create a unique twist. I have never stitched on my bags before but it was fun.
Here is a list of materials I used:
1 1/2 yd of mid weight natural linen (purchased at fabrics-store.com)
quilting remnants (yardage unknown, but close to 1 1/2yds)
2 – antiqued brass D-rings (1 1/4″)
1 – medium sized button
1 – pack of bias tape ( I made my own using scraps)
1 – 1″ magnetic snap for interior
1 yd – Pellon SF 101 ** MY FAVORITE INTERFACING!!**
1/2 yd – fusible fleece for interior interfacing
A few yards of thread. * I used a thin decorative fiber I use in scrapbooking, so this is not sewing thread. It is thin enough to use a needle to punch through the linen and not damage the fabric. I also prewashed the fiber in case of color bleeding*
This pattern was basically: 2- 14″x15″ linen squares, 2 – 14″ x 15″ interior squares for lining (although I used patchwork pieces)
6 – 2 1/2″ x 9″ strips and 2 – 1 1/2″x9″ strips ( I only did the patchwork pocket in front)
1- 9″x18″ piece of linen for pocket interior
1 – 14″ piece of bias tape for front pocket (or use your own size), 1 – 29″ piece bias tape for top of tote
2 – 4″ x 3″ linen strips for D-ring handles that stitch into the sides outside or inside
1 – 4″ x 24″ strip linen or other fabric for handles (use whatever size is comfortable for your carrying needs) I top stitched twice on each side of strap. The ends were folded under 2″ and stitched to close over ring in a “X” fashion.
Feel free to e-mail me with questions. This is a *rough* tutorial of what I did so make a pattern before you use these measurements to make it your own!! I tend to tweak patterns a bit when I’m doing custom one-of-a-kind pieces so a snip here and there I’m use to. I did use 1/2″ SA on the sides and bottom of tote and top stitched the outsides on either side of seams. Top stitching was also done on patchwork pieces as shown. The patchwork pieces and strap I used a 1/4″ SA.
I am now going to go over to Purse Week’s Flickr page to upload and enjoy. Come on over and join the fun!