A bag for a friend

This project was made as part of a Craftsy course:
Design Your Own Handbag »

Instructions

Materials

Fabrics: - black canvas for exterior -green shiny satiny like fabric for exterior, lining and lining of exterior pocket (it is quite sturdy fabric though, the back of the fabric isn't shiny so I am not really sure what it is made of) -black quilting cotton for lining of exterior pocket and lining of patch pocket in the lining -green print quilting cotton for lining of zipper pockets in the lining. Interfacing/interlining: I used 3 different types of fusible interfacings for this bag: -Vlieseline G785, woven for the exterior fabric and shoulder strap. This is a very thin interfacing and does not add a lot of body to the fabric, it is almost silky. -Vlieseline H250, non woven, for the canvas interlining, this interfacing adds a lot of body to your fabric but you do lose a bit of the fabricy feel to your fabric so I only used it for the interlining. -Woven fusible interfacing that I don't know the details of but I think it is very similar to what Brett used in the course. I used this for the green fabric part of the zipper pocket that divides the lining in two parts, the patch pocket and a rectangle behind the zipper in the lining pocket. Hardware: Four zippers (2x 20 cm, 1x 25 cm, 1x 40 cm), two 1.5 inch D-rings, one 1.5 inch slider, four bag feet. Gridded bag bottom. I used wonder tape to install the zippers, this is sticky on both sides and worked absolutely wonderful. I was a bit worried initially that my needle would not appreciate the glue but I didn't have any problems with it.

What was your inspiration?

Brett's course and Lisa Lam's 'The bag making bible', which I both found very useful when I designed and constructed this bag.

What are you most proud of?

I have made bags before but I think that this one is the best one I have made so far. I really like the effect that the shiny green fabric has on the outside of the bag and that I chose to use a print fabric for the lining of the zipper pockets in the lining. It just adds an extra surprise when you open the bag. I have also tried some new things, like adding a bag bottom, bag feet and a pocket that separates the lining.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Don't be afraid to use your seamripper if you are not fully satisfied with what you did. I took out some things and was much happier with my second attempt.

Make the flaps for your recessed zipper at least as long as the base of the bag, I made mine a little bit shorter but when I had assembled everything I wished I had made them just a little bit longer.