Hello There. Long time no see!

Its been a year since I posted. Honestly, something had to give, and this was it. However I thought perhaps I should just pop this here because its quite a big thing for me...I released a pattern!

On the Move Day Bag PDF Pattern:

About the Pattern:

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This bag was designed for parents like me, who don’t need a large bag but still carry a load of children’s bits and bobs with them as well as their own essentials. Think drinks bottles, snacks, mobile phone (cellphone), lip balm, plasters (band-aids), cards, keys, sunglasses and so on.

I had ripstop (nylon) in mind because it is durable, lightweight and wipe clean, however variations can be made with any fabric. (see blog posts)

The bottle pockets can be made from the exterior fabric, or alternatively, stretchy mesh for a different look.

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Where to purchase:

Where to purchase:

Craftsy Shop: https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/on-the-move-day-bag-crossbody-with-bottle-pockets/498434

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/537695561/pdf-pattern-download-on-the-move-day-bag

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Please feel free to join the facebook group after purchase if you wish to add your photos/require assistance and so on.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1478003342270256 or search for 'SheWearsRedFeathers Patterns Group' on facebook. 

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Social media tags I'm using are #onthemovedaybag and #shewearsredfeathersand #pdfpattern

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This is my website blog with a link to all the tester photographs and details
http://www.shewearsredfeathers/blog 

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This is my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/shewearsredfeathers/

I also have an instagram account https://www.instagram.com/elpie74/ which you are welcome to follow (not just for bags though!)
 

Level:

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Intermediate. Construction is simple but there are lots of pieces.

Features:

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2 front pockets with flaps (featuring magnetic snaps) (fits phone, sunglasses etc.)

2 side bottle pockets using fabric or mesh (fits water bottles, mini umbrella, sun lotion etc.)

1 rear zipped pocket full width of bag

Adjustable strap

Zipped gusset for security, with open ends to allow access to inner key fob

2 inner zipped pockets

2 inner slip pockets at the sides for smaller items e.g. lip balm

2 larger inner slip pockets

Ripstop version requires no interfacing/stabliser.

Fabric version requires interfacing and foam stabliser is optional but will structure the bag.

Pattern:

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83 pages with photographs. Text version only available. PLEASE NOTE: this pattern is cut using measurements not pattern pieces.

Finished Size:

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11” wide (excluding bottle pockets), 9” tall, 3” deep. Full width 16” (including fabric bottle pockets)

28cm W x 22.9cm H x 7.6cm D (40.1 W with bottle pockets)

Bagmaking: Cat Portrait Coin Purses and Swim Bag

I have to say it a while since I made a swim bag, but this was a commission so I had to make it work. Its simple enough - you just need to get the measurements right.
This one has a PUL (waterproof - although I'd say not quite waterproof as the seams aren't treated) lining, and a front pocket.

I also made two little cat coin purses for her to choose from.

 

Bagmaking: the Poppy Pouch

Not a lot to say other than here are some poppy pouches (which I call taco pouches) from this fantastic pattern

Bagmaking: The Stall and Various Commissions

The Bag Stall

I have been outrageously busy lately, but the school were holding a pamper and shop event on May 13th which I agreed to do. See how I managed to get the table next to the climbing frame? Great for hanging bags LOL 

This was my first customer - Cath from Spowart wines (the stall two down from me) She had the backgammon bag in her possession before I even finished setting up!

I also sold my linen Ethel, and quite a few zipped cases, and took a couple of commisions too, which was nice. Mostly though I just nattered, got to meet some lovely ladies and see their beautiful wares, and I made some lolly. Which was nice!

Harry Potter Zipped Cases

I met a lovely lady called Helen at the Scarlett and Jo Event, who later contacted me to ask if I could make her some HP cases. Well finding HP fabric is pretty difficult in the UK, but I manged to get this from Etsy, so I made two. She decided to buy them both :)

Mini Purse

One of the commissions I took on bag stall night was for a small purse, which was part of the 'Beau Pair' set. She wanted tattoo fabric with a light green accent. I made two to give a choice, and she chose the top one. (that's my fave too)

1st Purse

2nd Purse

Other stuff I made for the Bag Stall:

Bagmaking: IPad mini case and more zipped cases

A little while ago my old school friend Fara ordered some small crossbody bags for her daughters. Very simple, but they fit their nick nacks.

More recently she requested I make another one, slightly wider, to fit one of her daughters friends iPad minis. As the girls name is Rose, she wanted a pastelly rose fabric on the outside, so I sent her some links, and she chose this pretty print from Kaela Elliot.

I used this crimson polka for the lining, which came from the same shop

This is the back.

I also made a few more zipped cases for an Etsy commision:

and a tulip case (free pattern by Clobird) for my mum

Bagmaking: Mermaid Maisie - Swoon Patterns

So this is my Maisie. She was one of the 'blood, sweat, tears' variety.

I had the 'Drift Away' fabric at the ready for this bag. I'd been hoping to get the mermaids with the blue background, but some things are just impossible to get hold of when you want them in the UK, so I settled for this beigey background.

I used linen for the contrast. The piping and zips actually looked like they matched when I did this. They clearly don't in the picture. You'll have to ovelook that. My dining room is very dark and in hindsight I should have double checked the match in daylight.

I started cutting this bag out at bag camp. After a few too many. This was a gross mistake. When I got home I realised I hadn't cut out the contrasting linen panels for the back, and I'd run out of this particular linen - and so had every shop in the UK apparently.

I tried to get hold of some similar, but it didn't cut the mustard, so I worked with what I had. I'd already cut out a strap, so I used part of that to make those panels. They aren't cut on the grainline, and they didn't exactly have the correct amount of seam allowance, but honestly I don't think anyone will notice unless I point it out.

See how different those greens are - how could I ever have thought they were similar?!!

I love the bright lining. Its like when you open the bag - the sun comes out!

So the hardest bit could have been anticipated - this bag uses foam on both sides and stabiliser on the bottom. Trying to sew smallish curves with those factors - well lets just say it took a lot of passes. 

I'm pretty happy with the result though. Love a Swoon :)

Hardware from Emmaline Bags

Zips from Jaycotts

Drift Away fabrics and Kaufman Brussels washer linen in Charcoal from Billow Fabrics

Piping from Sew Hot

Outer Fabric

Pocket Fabric

Lining fabric

Strap and contrast fabric