sewing

Thank you to everyone who dropped by for the slumber party! What a hoot that was. And I hear tell that our hostess, Phyllis, had a right fine birthday. I think we should plan to do a bit more partin' around the Fluffy Flowers homestead, don't you?

Speaking of parties, lately I've been having a bit of a sewing party marathon. I've been hip deep in tote bag sewing for the upcoming Farmer's Market season.

I'm not fabulous at making these bags yet but I'm still trying! I think I get a little better each time I make one.

And one thing I've decided to do is sew a little pocket into the bags.

And inside each pocket I've placed a matching coin purse that I've sewn.

Is this thing the cutest, or what? I'm so glad I persisted with learning how to put in those darn zippers. That's gotta be one of my best crafting accomplishments of last year.

Another design decision I made about these bags is not to use interfacing. In addition to the fact that I'm oh so slightly afraid of using it, I also figured these bags would get thrown around and scrushed up in the trunk of the car after bringing home a load of groceries.

So I used heavy, decorator weight fabrics on the outside and medium weight cotton fabrics on the inside.

I went a little crazy last year when the fabric store had a fifty percent off sale on their decorator fabric remnants. I, uh, bought quite a lot and haven't used a bit of it until now!

But the good news is that I used mostly upcycled materials for the interiors. Old curtains, sheets, clothes that I already had in the fabric stash. All freshly laundered of course!

Anyhow, I'm pretty pleased with them, although I think I'm finally burned out on making them for a while. This week I've set them aside in order to work on a few pot holders. Ever since I gained confidence making the fabulous rick rack potholders I've wanted to make more. So I've been having lots of fun putting fabrics together to make some.

I listed a few of these bags over in the Fluffy Flowers shop if you'd like to have one for yourself.

Oh, I almost forgot! A big ol' thank you to Lynsey for featuring my Fluffy Flowers creatures today on her fabulous Cuteable blog.

Comments

[Jennifer Rose]

the bags look good :D Great fabric choices and I love the green and pink square patterned bag :)

[randi]

All of these are too cute, the top one being my fave. Great work!

[pam]

Great looking bags! Nice touch with the matching zipper pouch too.

[Brenda]

Gorgeous bags!

[rue]

Hi Felicia :)

Your bags are adorable! I'm always impressed with anyone that can make such beautiful things :)

rue

[jojo-Caramel]

I love your bags !!!! They are beautiful !!!!! All of them !!!! reaylly beautiful !!! and i love the fabrics you used ! Have a lovely day :) x

[Brandy]

Your bags look great! I love the combinations you did for the lining, etc. And the little pocket and coin purse is a great touch.

[Tracy]

Very lovely bags, Felicia...The fabric pairings are wonderful...and LOVE those teeny, tiny coin purses with them! Conquering fear of zippers, is liberating, isn't it...I felt the same way, so I know what you mean. ;o) Happy weekend...((HUGS))

[Bri]

I think that these all look great. Great use of leftover fabric, and kudos on the zippers. I still can't deal with them.

[Nancy]

really pretty bags
love the fabric combinations

[Lena]

These are terrific Felicia. I really like the fabrics that you've chosen, and the coin purses are great. I have a real fear of sewing zippers, so I can appreciate your sense of accomplishment.

[teresa]

I love that top one ----- A LOT