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.

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

Robotic Cookie - Jewellery with personality

I think I am really going to enjoy blogging, currently working on another bag tutorial, I will post it up as soon as its completed. Tweeking a pattern I found on the internet to make a few custom changes and upcycling a shirt I found in a charity shop to make the prototype. Upcycling, isn't that a fantastic word.

Well any-who while I busy myself playing with the bag I wanted to share another blog that I follow,  RoboticCookie is a blog by a geeky jewellery designer, her designs are both cute and on-trend and just that bit different.

Robotic Cookie - Work in progress

I am also  immensely proud of all of her designs, Robotic Cookie just happens to be my daughter. From items inspired by popular shows like Game of Thrones, Dr Who and Sailor Moon through to cute icelolly and doughnut earrings, her pieces allow you to add that touch of individuality to an outfit.

Robotic Cookie - Beach huts 

With Christmas now on the horizon why not try and buy gifts this year that are handmade, made in the UK and unique. I know that's my plan this year. In fact as I love beach huts so much I am commissioning her to make me some beach hut Christmas tree decorations to add to my tree this year. 

What do you think? 

Nat x