Friday, April 20, 2012

Farmers Market Bag

Farmers Market Bag



This bag was the other reason why I didn't complete my UFOs over the Easter school holiday break. My sister Katherine, gave me this pattern during our camping trip over the Easter weekend as a belated birthday present. What a great distraction from my frustrating and challenging UFOs.  Really, it was just what I needed.

Apart from the handle rings, I sewed this entire bag from scraps and odd buttons in my stash. The main part of the bag is made from some Ikea fabric I bought 18 months ago. It's a heavy weight decor fabric so holds the shape really well. The rest of it is made from quilting cotton leftover from other projects. The main button is a groovy vintage button I took off a bookmark my daughter had made at kindy a few years ago. I'm not sure where her kindy teacher sourced her buttons, but many of them were very cool indeed.

I had trouble sourcing appropriate rings for the handles at the local sewing shops. In the end, I cut them off a bag I bought at the op-shop. They're really robust and much better than anything else I'd come across. 

Detail shot of front.


Although I've done a little bit of craft sewing and made a few bags, I don't generally consider myself a craft sewer. As my regular readers would know, I live in the tropics and that means mould central! Any attempts I've made in the past of sewing nice cushions covers and other lovely looking non-wearable items, have ended up ruined by unsightly black mould stains after a summer. It just isn't worth the expense or time. Ultimately, it always ends in disappointment....ALWAYS. As a result, I don't tend to own items on the list of pattern requirements like Parlan, Vilene and bag batting. Therefore, this bag contains none of those things. Instead, I used interfacing I had on hand and ignored all instructions involving batting and quilting. I've mostly likely ended up with a floppier bag, but that's OK.



A photo of the other side.


Here is a detail shot of the inner of the bag. The instructions called for template plastic to be used as an insert in the base. Due to the fact I'm not generally a craft sewer, I have no idea what that is. I used a bit of matt board leftover from some framing. Sure, it ain't waterproof, but I'll deal with that on a needs basis I think. Maybe I'll just keep my eye out for a scrap of appropriate plastic.

I didn't follow the instructions for the inside pockets but instead stuck to my general formula of one large zippered pocket and a small phone pouch. This combo seems to work for me. 

I'm still not sure what I'll use this bag for. I'm yet to road test it. I'm thinking it could be well suited to family outings. Hmmmm, I could take it on our usual family outing to the produce markets tomorrow...after all it is called the Farmers Market Bag.

Enjoy your weekend.

11 comments:

  1. Your bag is AWESOME!! Might make a good picnic bag.
    Anne xx

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  2. Would be a great bag to lug all your school stuff around in. I love the idea of re-purposing old bag handles. Love this!

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  3. Wow! You're amazing! And spunky. You tackle the most difficult sewing projects and pull them off with such style.

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  4. It looks great! And to think you made it all out of scraps on hand, too!
    I can't even buy all the different interfacings that these patterns call for here in the UK, so I am always substituting and it works out OK. You can cut the plastic piece out of a milk carton or an ice-cream tub, or some other recyclable food container.

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  5. Unreal bag. I looked at IKEA at Logan recently and the fabric collection was not up to your apron style or bag collection!
    I am scared of bag making. My mother, who is a bag construction factory all by herself, uses old/waste x rays for inner support. X ray departments/GP clinics/physio practices are always trying to get rid of it - and it goes through the washing machine undamaged in most cases, ask me how I know, but don't tell my mum.....

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  6. It has come together really well and looks pretty cool. I love the images on pattern covers for market bags - all bread sticks and fresh flowers, it doesn't even come close to my reality :)

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  7. What a fabulous bag, and I really love the cheerful mix of fabrics you have used. Looks so professional and ultra-cute to boot! You have an amazing sense for colour.
    I was going to suggest what kbenco did; old x-rays make pretty good bits of stiffening for projects like this. I hadn't heard of the products and brands you mentioned either! I've always made do with cut-up milk bottles, ice-cream containers etc too.

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  8. Cute, colourful and practical. Ticks all the boxes Bernice!

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  9. Cute, cute, cute! I love this bag!

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  10. Wow, great finishings I couldn't even hold the pattern straight in my hands, well done

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  11. I love it - it would make a great bag to take somewhere like a Farmers Market where it could double as handbag and carrier for a fair few bit and pieces. You've done a beautiful job of mixing up those fabric leftovers. Bright and happy!

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