Mini grocery bags

I'm a sucker for a pre cut. No idea why. Maybe it's not wanting to stand in a cutting cue. So I have heaps of fat quarters sitting in my stash with no real intended purpose. I'm trying to do a bit of stash busting. So it got me thinking. What could I make with an entire fat quarter. They are mainly little girl prints. I have 2 boys!! I'm going to be making grocery bags for my next market so I thought I'd see if I could make one of the smallest size. Not quite. But I could make a mini bag instead, for the mini shopper. So I downsized the pattern (I'll give measurements when they are finished). Looks like I'll get the outside bag and handles plus I could make a little zip purse too. Done! So I spent a lovely Sunday with the rotery cutter, cut up 10 fat quarters and nearly used all my calico which I'll use for lining. Not a bad way to spend a quiet Sunday.

If you want to make a grocery bag too click on the Michelle Patterns button in my side bar. If you do I'd love to see them.

How do you use up your stash?

All cut up

Strap Clutch

I made this Strap Clutch for a friend to give as a gift. (Through Ditto Crafts). This is the first time I've made this clutch. I love how the hole for the strap came together. It was a lot neater than I thought it would be, I thought I would need more practice!! I love how the bottom corners are made, I'll be making more like this, much nicer than a box bottom. I used a magnetic snap instead of velcro, they needed to be positioned a bit wider apart, know for next time.

Strap Clutch

I used fusible wadding on the lining and left the chord without any interfacing. It's so soft. I think if I had interfaced it it wouldn't have turned out so well. The chord was slippery though and needed lots of pins!

Strap Clutch Inside

I already had the Denise Schmidt fabric but needed lining and chord. It was a quick shop when I bought them and wasn't sure if it was all going to go together. Even when I was cutting I wasn't too sure (i was cutting out another in a different colour-way too, that's still being made). But as I cut and placed the pieces together they really did start to look like they were meant to be and I got excited to see the finished clutch.

Strap Clutch used as a Nappy Clutch, just add change mat!

And here it is. It's to be used as a Nappy Clutch so I also made a change mat, about a fat quarter in size. Loving this clutch but had to let it go to it's new home.

If you want to make one too you can get the pattern by Michelle Patterns here.

Messenger Bag

I keep forgetting to get a decent photo of my messenger bag. So here is one I got the hairy bloke to take while at the park on Sunday. It fit's everything I need in it for work, even a small crochet project.

My Messenger Bag

I stuck to the pattern except for adding a pocket to the back as well. Easy access for my travel card. It came together very quickly. Great bag to make if you're not too experienced.

Now that I've been wearing it a bit I know where I want it to sit and I can sew the straps down. Things you don't usually see, the buckle hangs too low and thread is sticking out!! Another thing to fix.

Inside and back

I want to make the small version to just take to the shops, it should fit just my keys and wallet. Another on the to do list. If you would like to make this bag you can grab the pattern from Michelle's Patterns.

Rescued

Saved! My sister came to my rescue :-). I now have enough yarn to finish Little O's blanket, yay.

Lots of crochet

I've been crocheting heaps lately. It's a great train project and so relaxing. I've gone a bit ripple blanket crazy! Only problem is I keep rushing in and not estimating yarn very well. So I've had to keep popping back to yarn stores to get another ball or 2. One of which (photo below) I can no longer get but I'm still on the hunt.

It's finished

Messenger Bag Inside

Yay, Here is a sneak peek until I get better photos!!

Pattern here.

All cut out....

Fabric Cut

.....and ready to sew. Fingers crossed I get to tonight ;-). 

Getting ready

Pattern Cutting

Lots of pattern cutting going on today. These are for the smaller sizes of the messenger bags. I've cut the fabric for the large one and hope to start sewing soon. Now to get the youngest to sleep....

No idea what I'm talking about? See previous post. 

Fabric Selection

Fabric selection, originally uploaded by MandyMade.

So here is my fabric selection for making Michelle's Messenger bag (see previous post). I went out and bought all the proper interfacing and wadding so this bag will last for a while I hope. I even purchased some of the buckles that she uses in the pattern.

Are you making the bag too? If so pop a link in the comments so I can have a squiz.

If you want to make Michelle's Messenger Bag and join in, get the pattern here. She also has 2 more sizes for the bag on special till Monday, so grab them too while you're there. I'll be making the small one as soon as I've finished this one.

Happy sewing :-)

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag

Blue Chambray Messenger Bag, originally uploaded by michellepatterns.

Oooo Michelle's just launched her new bag pattern, yay. I've had my eye on it since she started blogging about it. I can't wait to start it, I have the perfect fabric. But first I need to go for a run (yep I'm doing that now) clean the house, do the basketball run, the list goes on!! You can get a pattern too from here.  We could have a bag-along. Let me know in the comments if you are making one too.

Happy weekend sewing :-).