Monday, June 6, 2011

Hooked on Tote bags

GOSH! I have been busy over the last days!
In my previous post I mentioned I want to do something else rather than cut squares, triangles, rectangles, strips etc... Somehow I feel I'm stuck in what I'm doing - have been doing - since I started quilting 5-6 years ago. I mentioned needle turn applique, landscape quilting, photo quilts etc, but where did I end up? In the same post, I had in mind several things to do, but ended up - as you already may know - making tote bags.


It is so true; to get totally hooked on something, and that is what I did! I didn't make one tote bag only, but three! I got hooked, because of a pocket with zipper! I wanted victory over that pocket! lol! I have used a plain pattern for any tote bag, without any pockets and zippers at all. I decided to make the bag different, by adding one pocket with zipper, one open pocket for the inside, and one open pocket on the front. The latter pockets were not a problem - or any difficulties at all, not even the zipper - but that other pocket.....  


Don't ask me why I decided to add pockets! :) I could have made a very simple tote bag, but that felt so boring! I needed a challenge, and indeed that pocket was a challenge! Without any pattern - I didn't even google I-net for tutorials (too slow connection) - I twisted and turned my brain - and the poor pocket - inside out and upside down in all directions, before it finally decided to co-operate! Or was it my brain cells that suddenly started to work....  For the umpteenth attempt, I decided to take photos along the making, so for the next pocket it should go rather smooth! :) I loved the seam ripper these days! I could have asked MIL next door for help of course, but she is so fast in explaining things so I wouldn't have understood anything!!!!


Inside, open pocket with two 'rooms'.


Details of the front pocket. The front pocket has two spacious 'rooms' too.


The back of the bag; cute frogs here too! :)


 Bag #2 - here I've used the same fabric for both side. It has birds, tortoises, crocodiles etc.
'Woodsy Wonders' fabric line.


Inner pockets; with and without zipper.


Bag #3 - here I've used red plaid for the front and beige plaid for the back.


The inside pockets, with zipper.............


Double pocket without zipper.


Spacious pocket with two rooms on the front.

 

I loved doing these bags, and now I'm off to make another bag, a different one... :)
And I need a strong cup of coffee too! :) 





13 comments:

Fleurette said...

You're on a roll! well done, beautiful finishes.Love those cute frogs.

Janet C said...

Well done, Astrid. It's not easy to manipulate the zipper if you are first timer!
Love the bags and also the pink fabric with frogs!

Lainee said...

What great fabric choices and use of fabric for the pockets! I always like a zippered pocket on the inside of a bag. You should open an Etsy shop.

Elzaan said...

WOW! Those bags look fantastic. Great job and wonderful fabric choices.
Can I have some of your mo-jo?

zarina said...

Your last bag reminds me of the story, oh no I cannot remember the name. Its a childhood story. I will get back to you when I remember the title.

Dirt Lover said...

:)Beautiful bags!!! I love the colors, and the zippers and pockets, and the plaid, and everything about them! Glad you stuck with the zipper that was giving you fits. You go girl!!
~~Lori

Anonymous said...

I love youre bags! IngridK in Norway

PJs Lapperier said...

Så läckra väskor!!!!
"Learning by doing"....
kram PJ

Anonymous said...

Så härligt glada väskor du sytt Astrid! Hälsningar Desirée i Årjäng

Gudveig HN said...

Flotte vesker!

Kjerstis løse tråder said...

Vidunderlige, wonderful tote bags!I'm impressed!

Sigrun said...

Kjempeflotte vesker i flotte stoff!

Unknown said...

Ser du er i en veske stim. Mange flotte du har sydd med herlige stoff.