Preloved fabric

I love buying and using preloved fabric. 

And if that happens to be a preloved floral skirt that will fit one of my daughters, then that's absolutely fine with me (and her)!

Because one day it won't fit her any more.  And then I can get it double preloved and can use it for my next creation.

Ah, happy days!

More oilcloth adventures

Now I've got the hang of it, I do love using oilcloth!

There's something ever so satisfying about its look and feel.  And they always look fab too.

This bag was created with no pattern, I simply used my bag-making skills to fashion it into the desired shape.

I lined the interior of the bag with a pink polka dot dress which I thought went nicely with the rose print.

 

 

I added a pocket and magnetic snap fastening too.

One lucky lady snapped this bag up as soon as I'd made it.

Righto - on to the next...

Lunchbag recipe

I'm not sure why but sometimes I confuse the colours pink and orange.  I know that it's pink but my brain says 'orange'!

In the same way I sometimes use the words 'patterns' and 'recipes' interchangeably.  So I thought I'd devise a little recipe for making a lunchbag:

Ingredients

- floral vinyl tablecloth
- clear vinyl
- thread
- velcro
- time
- stitch unpicker

Method

Cut up floral tablecloth to desired size and then make handles and strap

Add a sprinkling of velcro to keep the strap secure and the sides from gaping open

Using copious quantities of thread and time, mould the tablecloth into a lunchbag

Repeat for clear vinyl lining

Insert lining into outer and secure with yet more thread

If at any time you are unhappy, use the stitch unpicker - it's very therapeutic

When you are 100% satisfied with your creation, go and make yourself a cup of tea - you deserve it!

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And here is one I prepared earlier:

Next!!

Everlasting Summer shopper

As you may know, I love using unusual fabrics - they can be anything from preloved clothing to PVC.

So when I saw the fabulous print on some vinyl tablecloth, the Everlasting Summer Shopper was born!

I was looking for a way to reinforce the corners of the shopper but nothing sprang immediately to mind.

And then I remembered that many moons ago we recovered some white fabric dining chairs with leatherette to make them more durable.  They have been brilliant and so hard-wearing too.  And I was sure I had some of it in the loft still...

 

 

 

 

So I used the leatherette to protect the corners.

I had so much fun trying to figure out how to add them to the bottom of the bag!

And then I thought, what the heck, let's line it too.

So I added a red cotton lining to make it even more cheerful.

Et voila! 

Another shopper has arrived!

Chrysanthemum bag

I have a thing about really large, bold designs.  And colours.  And textures.  Oh, ok, I love fabric of all descriptions really LOL!

But some fabric speaks louder to me than others.  And this refashion is no exception.  A while back I discovered a curtain with a huge chrysanthemum on it so I brought it home.  I could spot its potential from a mile off as it had 'please make me into a bag' written all over it.

So I did:

Its lovely, slouchy style is perfect for days out with the girls, a shopping trip or three or to carry all of your books to college.

And of course, it's unique!

I lined it with some fabric from a teal dress.  And added a magnetic snap.

I think I might make more bags in this style - what do you think?

Another use for brocade curtains...

You know how it is.  You spot a curtain shop that you haven't been to in a while so it would be rude not to go in and have a look at their fabric, right?  Right.  Exactly!

So that is what I did.  And I discovered two fabulous, fabulous pieces of fabric.  I could see lots of potential in them so I bought both of them there and then.

And this is the resulting fabric adventure...

I just knew that the sumptuous brocade fabric would look positively divine as the outside of a bag. 

With very long straps...

I love how the sun reflects off the gold thread.

The interior of the bag was made with the second fabric which I think goes perfectly with it! 

It's amazing how many times I find two pieces of matching fabric in the same shop at the same time!

In keeping with the gold theme I added a golden magnetic snap.

And made an internal pocket with the piece of fabric I cut out from the top of the bag. 

It's lined with the inner fabric and the cuff of the pocket was set at a jaunty angle for a bit of fun!

One of the most surprising parts of making this particular bag happened when I came to make the straps.  Each strap was made from two pieces of outer fabric which were sewn together down the middle.  Something I noticed after I had completed the bag was that I had cut the fabric so well that it matched all the way down the centre of the straps. 

This is where some might say 'I meant it to do that' but I say 'wow, that was lucky wasn't it - I'll look out for that again LOL'!

 

A girl can never have too many bags!

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cushion cover bag

So you find a wooden handled bag which has a stain on the fabric but you buy it anyway because you know those handles will come in handy at some point.

Then you spot a rather fetchingly thick cushion cover that appeals - you know it's a rather good one because it has a few real soft downy feathers still inside.

Then you come across a rather sumptuous throw.

And a zip...

Put them all together and what do you get...

Why, a cushion cover bag of course!

 

The interior is made from silk from the middle of the throw.  How do I know it's silk?  From the way it smells like pork scratchings when you set light to a little piece LOL (a real test, apparently!) 

The bag itself also has a zipped pocket for all your bits and pieces.  And those wooden handles are really comfy to hold too!

I had so much fun making this one!!