Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Sampler bag

There's something hugely enjoyable about dabbling in a new crafty area. The joy of experimentation. But I do like to be able to do something with the results. So my embroidery sampler (and I use the term extremely loosely) became this tote bag.


The strap was pure experimentation, as my sewing machine wouldn't cope with the multiple layers of felt to do a standard handle. So this is a single felt layer with ribbon sewn down the centre to make it look a little more finished. And I made the strap long enough to wear across your body, because I need more hands than I've got and filling one with a bag is never going to work for me.

It's not summery, so I may pop it away until the Autumn and sell it at the craft fair (yup, I think I'm doing another...) And if it doesn't sell, I'll have a nice Autumn bag to console myself with.

Oh, and a Happy 4th of July to you who celebrate it.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

gorgeous bag, ali! the ribbon detail is great, but that flower? it's pure genius!

paper-and-string said...

I love the flower too :-) and if it were mine I would be half hoping no one bought it so I could keep it!
xxx

Anonymous said...

I love your bag, it is divine, lovely, you should more for sale, it is so lovely :)

Sujomi said...

I am doing some major lovin' on your bag!

Anonymous said...

It's very beautiful, and very tasteful too; how can you even consider selling it??!!

If you must sell it, you should at least make one to keep...

Soo said...

what a beautiful beautiful bag. I love the flower and felt!

dottycookie said...

Oooh, pretty - I was sure you were making a decorated skirt though!

Kate said...

Gorgeous little bag - love the flower!

Anonymous said...

Love all those buttons gathered together like that, very cute.

Ragged Roses said...

That bag is gorgeous!!! It looks wonderful, you should make lots of them!
Kim x

Louise said...

Don't you LOVE buttons!! That bag is wonderful and such a great combination of textures and colours. It's really very pretty and worth keeping I reckon!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful bag!

Anonymous said...

that is beautiful! I'm sure it'll sell.

I'm doing a Christmas fair too. I think, I'm waiting confirmation I've got a stall.

We must compare notes and ideas!!

Joanna said...

The detail is amazing well done

Anonymous said...

oh it's super!
I would definitely not sell it and use it myself :)

julie said...

It's a great bag. i love the different stitches you've used on the fabric circles and the way you've tied off some of the buttons - really unique and special.

Yummers! said...

Thanks for the 'Happy 4th' wishes.

If you were a fan of Victoria magazine, then check my site for some exciting news. I've read blogs where people have talked about the magazine... just can't remember 'who'.

Joni

Anonymous said...

love it! looks like it's from an expensive upscale botique!

Anonymous said...

niiiiiice baaaaag!!!! Love all the wee buttons on it.

jennpal said...

Ali, absolutely love the tote. perfection!

Unknown said...

love the bag ali - love charcoal. and those cherries look divine.

Carrie said...

I love, love, love the flower bag. I am so going to try to make one like that. I inherited jars of buttons from my grandmother. Mostly little white ones, I've been looking for ways of using them.

Anonymous said...

Wow it's even nicer now that you've revealed it. I love the way you've mixed circles of fabric and buttons together. You should use the idea again on other things ....
hope you have a nice trip by the way. Two weeks to go to ours .....