Catch up on a busy few weeks - 1st bag orders ready and a holiday to look forward too

I really don't know where the last two weeks have gone, with a flurry of bag orders coming in and the holiday getting closer, it really has past in a blur. Slight heart stopping moment last Friday when we couldn't find the passports, but six hours of frantic searching uncovered them and we could breath again.
The first two of my bag orders are now ready to head off to their new homes, I feel like a mother sending her children off to school on their first day (daft I know). As I try to use all the components of the shirts I use for the bags, it makes each and every bag unique and different from the last.

Today I attended the Rainbow Nurseries Farmers Market and Craft Fair in Nunthorpe, great little venue and steady stream of customers. Planning on attending next month when Christmas will be well and truly on the shopping agenda. Now planning what little items I can add to my range, hopefully to see some end up under a few Christmas trees on Christmas morning. On that point I would like to share this blog that I have stumbled upon. Loving the book covers, my daughter loves reading and one of these would allow her to keep her book covers in mint condition while travelling. Beach Vintage Blog

Well off to start packing for my week in the sun, catch up with everybody on the flipside.

A bunting we will make

Thursday and I have already started dreaming about the weekend. Saturday after parkrun and boot camp will be, bunting day...yeah.
I have an order to complete and as my daughter and I are at a local craft fair on the 28th September I also want to get some packs ready to sell. Feeling quite excited and inspired. A lady has asked me for about a campervan apron and it's got me thinking about a range of shirt inspired aprons, sketch pad needed me thinks.

Loving this apron I saw on  http://timewarpwife.com

Been looking at Pinterest for inspiration, I do love My Pinterest, it's so good for firing your imagination.
Well off to do some more research

Nat x

Ryan's room update and my VW camper van bag

VW camper van messenger bag

You will have noticed a distinct lack of posts updating the progress of my makeover of Ryan's room. I promise as soon as I persuade the other half to venture up to the loft and retrieve my paste table, work will begin.

VW camper van fabric

 In the meantime I have been busying myself with making a few more bags, with the idea of either selling them at a craft fair or giving them as Christmas gifts.

Bag of the bag

After my first attempt at making and doing the messenger bag tutorial, using a mans shirt I found in my local charity shop, the bug has bit. I have now started hunting out charity shops, just so I can see what interesting shirts they have. I now have a box full of future bags, ready for the winter. 

I have already completed two bags, a checked man bag messenger and just finished a VW Camper van smaller bag. The VW bag came about after seeing a piece of fabric in little shop near me, just big enough for a flap and trim. It sparked my imagination and my new bag was born. The main body of the bag was recycled linen type trousers and an old webbing belt for the strap.

What do you think, should I sell or gift?

Today was also the day I made my Facebook page live, I'd love it if you wanted to take a look and like my page.. click here Bunting Corner on Facebook
If you want to see the original messenger bag tutorial here is the link messenger bag tutorial

Nat x

Messenger bag tutorial

Messenger bag tutorial

For this tutorial I used a mans shirt that I found in a charity shop. When I drew out the pattern I took into account where the pockets and details were on the shirt as I wanted to incorporate them into the design. You could always just buy your own fabric

pattern pieces

You will need :

Shirt or fabric approx 1 mtr

lining approx 1 mtr

interfacing firm 1 mtr

webbing for strap

fastener

• decide on the dimensions you want your bag to be. I wanted to be able to fit my A4 book inside. Using these add your seam allowance and cut out the pattern pieces.
• Cut out as per pattern above. You will need to cut interfacing to stiffen the fabric and give it structure.

• If not cutting from one piece of fabric do all the joins first.
• iron or sew interfacing to bag pieces.
• Sew flap and flap facing together RS together.

Bag body pieces added together

Interfacing added

Sewing flap and flap facing together

• Sew flap to bag body.
• Sew sides together.
• Add strap, you can make this adjustable or as I did with this bag measure required length and use a fixed piece of webbing for the strap.
• Made lining in same way.

Adding a pocket to the lining

Lining joined to the bag

• Sew lining to flap facing.
• Place lining inside bag and pin to bag body, top stitch together.

I added an extra piece of fabric to inner to fasten a clip to bag

• Add the fastening to your bag.

The finished bag

• Enjoy your new bag