Cut, Stitch and Blog - Bag

A couple of weeks ago I saw over at Ali Bee Creations that Hillarys the soft furnishing company who make curtains and blinds were running a competition called Hillarys Blinds Country Crafts Competition for bloggers to request up to two types of fabric and make something creative out of it.  Blog about it with links.
Due to my hand I was not sure so left it then a few days later I thought well why not give it a go, I am having to try and use a machine at work so I applied for two different fabrics but perhaps I did not click save right as I ended up with two batches of the same fabric.  Above is the fabric Wild Poppies and the piece is 100cm x 100cm which is pretty large really!

It was a stroke of luck as it arrived the day Oftsed had finished so it seemed an good omen to start something new.  I spent time thinking then I decided to make a bag as I have not made one for ages.  I finally settled on a bag which I made my own pattern for three years ago.

Friday evening was spent pinning and cutting.  The fabric is really nice to cut and took to the interfacing well.

One addition I added was an internal divider with two pockets so that items could be separated out a bit.  Big enough to get a small sketchbook in and paintbox. The divider goes the whole width of the bag.  I also cut out a very long strap and two pieces to go through two metal rings plus a double sided flap.  There is still a bit left over!  The only other fabric I used was some cream cotton for the lining.

 I had a set of magnetic fasteners for the flap.

These are really easy to apply, you just need to plan ahead if it needs to go through the lining before you stitch in that lining.

Fastening attached to the bag and flap.

Metal rings and fabric to start off the strap section.  These are added before the lining and main strap are attached.

The main strap itself is attached to one of the rings at one end but is left open at the other so that a large knot is added.  This is so that the knot can be undone and the strap extended or reduced by moving the knot.  The knot is never in the way and adds a nice practical feature without the need for the slide adjusters which can mark fabric and discolour.  This is my own little touch which I have been adding to my own bags for years and I like it a lot and works well for me.

Here is the final bag and I am pleased with how it has turned out as this is the most patterned fabric that I have ever used with my pattern.

Sophie wondered if it needed a flower or something on the flap as I had done this with a previous bag
that I had made.  It is just clipped on for easy removal.

 Here is the knot feature which is quite difficult to picture so I hope you can see how it works.

I also added a box bottom base to it as well to give a bit of width.

A glimpse of the inside dividers.

The final bag being won.

I know need to think of something else to make with the second batch of Wild Poppies fabric.
xx