It's In The Bag.



MY bag.  The Prototype.

I like a hard working bag. 

The last time I bought a purse it needed to do Triple Duty - corral all the stuff I usually carry (wallet, lipstick, lotion, etc.), safely carry a DSLR camera and hold kid entertainment goods.  All while being relatively comfortable to wear while traveling with a small child. 

Oh, and did I mention water repellent?  I need water repellent.  And, I like leather.  The real deal.  Not vinyl masquerading as vegan "leather".  (Does anyone else see the oxymoron here?)

I found a brilliant bag in an online shop - fantastic really.  Just about the right size, custom made for me in black Sunbrella (water repellent) canvas with black leather bottom and pockets for everything.  Shiny, sturdy hardware, perfectly aligned top stitching.  Immaculate construction.


But the best part?  It's convertible - from shoulder bag to backpack in less than a second.

I'm talking Hands Free, people!

I used that bag daily for over 3 years.  I wore. it. out.  And the damage is irreparable.

Unfortunately for me, the online shop is doing very well.  (Her bags really are brilliant)  So well, she's moved into a wider variety of bags, all with $fabulous price tags. 

Now...I am on a budget.  And it's not a $fabulous purse budget. 

I am on a D-I-Y budget. 



The Zebra.  Sarah really wanted a bag like mine.
And I needed the practice...
It's *almost* too nice for a kid.

I bought two books complete with patterns, thoughtfully written instructions and beautiful illustrations on the how-to's of bag making.  (The Bag Making Bible, and A Bag for All Reasons, both by Lisa Lam of http://uhandbag.com/ and available at Amazon).   
My first bag, the Prototype (above right), was designed on a cocktail napkin.  Not really, but nearly.  Scratch paper.  I winged it.  It took weeks to construct as I wrapped my head around each stage of building the bag and consulted my new books.

Afterward, using my prototype experience, I engineered the construction plan for the next two bags.  I drafted my own patterns and dipped into my fabric stash.  These went FASTer.  Completed in hours, not weeks.

Finding nice hardware was challenging.  The bags require a few pieces of hardware that are not readily available at my local fabric/craft stores, but I found a good supply of nice, shiny rings, clasps and buckles at Seattle Fabrics (http://seattlefabrics.com/).  Nancy Zieman has a very pretty line with Dritz, which has a majority of the needed components.  The clasps are a bit pricey, so I used them only on my own bag.

Next, I made a Zebra Bag for Sarah.  It's loaded with pockets, converts to a backpack with a sassy pink strap.  Plus, it's her very favorite print.  Inside is  light turquoise, with warm pink pockets and zipper inset.  I used basic hardware for Sarah's bag.  She's 6 and it's good enough.  She's proud to carry her extra clothes to Nana's, books from the library and cherry flavored chapstick in it.  

I liked it so much, I made one for Sofia - the Cupcake Bag.  She's going to love it.  Just the right size for overnight gear, travel entertainment, etc.  Lots of pockets, custom straps, nicer hardware.  Inside are coordinating turquoise and white geometric patterned fabrics. 

I have materials for two more....




I made this bag for my friends daughter.  She's turning 10
in April.  Last summer she wanted to learn sewing, and
selected this fabric.  Sewing lessons didn't happen, but
this fantastic bag did!

Side Notes:

 

**  I did use vinyl on these bags, as I wasn't willing to invest in leather for my first projects of this sort. 

 

**  Upper and interior fabrics for the prototype and zebra bags are quilting cotton backed with interfacing.  Cupcake bag is a loose weave canvas with quilting cotton interior.  Also backed with interfacing.

 

**  On the Prototype, I used 3 coats of Scotchguard on the fabric in hopes my light colors would survive longer.  I did not do this on the other bags.  I was too excited to get sewing and made the trade-off.