Custom Bag order

When I made myself a Tote bag for the first time I used this fabric.

You might recognise it as coming from Ikea, they have a great range of Fabrics for bags and book coverings. Used sparingly, I think that it looks lovely and it is so hard wearing as well!

I paired it up with some dotty lining with two pockets and a clip for the keys.

It is off to England, so I hope that the new owner loves it!

Another Custom order with Japanese Fabric

I can't quite remember where I got this fabric from, but it has proven to be a real hit! I love the fact that within one print there are so many possibilities and the colour scheme lends itself to so many different colours on the inside as well. Initially I got 4 metres of it, and I am down to my last metre!

So here is another custom job!

This time the inside was a teal colour, rather than the rust colours I have been using in past jobs.

Natasha likes to model for me ... this is a pencil case to match! (You can see Ana in the background claiming my white towel for her sleep space ...)

The elegance of the fabric lends itself to the label being on the inside.

I might have to make myself some things with this fabric before it disappears!

New Bag for Margaret

I have been trundling around with the prototype for my tote/bag for months now. I made it with no interfacing or stitching reinforcements and it has survived quite well. I originally made as a bag to carry library books in from home to Northcote Library and back. I quickly claimed it as an alternative to my crumpler and general "chuck it in and run" bag.

Since then I have refined the design, added pockets, zips and magnetic closures and the newer bags also look a bit more refined than this one. They are a touch expensive on the etsy shop, but they are properly finished off with lining and interfacing.

A few weeks back I obtained a metre of this gorgeous orange fabric, so when the KK Tote was not meeting my needs anymore I knocked up a Tote using this fabric and my funky circle cotton for the interior. The inside of the zip pocket is orange and also the inside of the pockets. I have pockets of various sizes running both sides of the bag to hold all my junk!

I haven't put a magnetic closure on this bag yet, I might trundle around with it for a while before I do that! What do you think?

More Totes and stuff

In between finishing retail orders, I seem to be consumed by the prospect of making bags. I am looking intently at everyones bags, observing how they are being used ... are they well worn and loved or an occasional bag .... strange but true! I would love to do Nicole's bag course, but none of her dates fit into my schedule! So until then, I will plod along doing the best that I can ...


So here are a few more Totes that I knocked up over the weekend. I used the patchwork technique that I used on the last Tote and I had some skull love scraps that needed to be used up. I am quite focused on the waste coming out of my sewing room. I try to use every last scrap (especially as some of the fabric is very expensive).

I lined one of the bags in a bold red and the other in "bones" *giggles*
I have put the red one up on my etsy shop. I'll put the bones one up tomorrow.

And if you want to see any of my products in the flesh, Shop Sui have just taken delivery of some small pouches in various colours. Go and say hello to Sylvia!

I had to take a picture of what they look like ... Sylvia chose the fabrics from my swatch book and I made them up for her.
I love taking product photo's!

Classic Animals Tote

I went had a bit of the TOTE-a-thon the other night as I prepared for the local Merri Creek Market (aka Black Market) and I finally ended up working with this beautiful Kokka Dobby Fabric.

I managed to score a metre a while back and made some cute baby shoes which sold quite quickly at the Northcote Night Market. Then I finally purchased a few more from Duckcloth (love that online shop!) ... prompt delivery AND friendly!


I have fussy cut the panel on the front so that the skulls are featured. The outside is the black 310 gsm cotton drill I love working with. Inside I have done a black with white polka dot inside with zip pouch and pockets for mobile phones and date books. I also included a d-ring for keys and finished the bag with a magnetic closure.

I have put this onto my etsy shop, I am hoping that someone will like it as much as I do!

Crafty Goodness

I love this time of night ... the house is so quiet, the cats are sleeping and I am tapping away at the keyboard. These "before bed blogs" seem to be becoming a tradition!

A busy day was had by all. Tori spent the day with her Scottish Granny while I went off to school to do some work. Granny will probably end up with her most Wednesday's.
After getting my gorgeous daughter to bed at 8.30 (someone fed her lots of tea today ...), I could finally unwind and get some sewing done. So what crafty goodness have I worked on tonight?

Firstly, I finished a "Patch Tote" for a customer and made a matching tissue holder to go inside. All I had to do was finish stitching the lining and the tissue holder is a simple "warm up" project to do.
As you can see, I am getting value from my Wigglesworth Quilt offcuts. I have enough for one more Tote.


The inside was the yummy yellow rose fabric and I tried my hand at putting in a zipper pocket as well.

Secondly, I made a Patchwork Trivet (custom order) to go under a teapot or cold jug of water on the table. A good little project with a little bit of ditch quilting.

Two layers of batting sewn together and the fabric is a Kokka Ouka in Red. I did however, forget to put my label on it and I could not be bothered going back to do it!

Thirdly, I tried my hand at a "Nappy Clutch". Big enough to hold three nappies and some wipes. Alternatively it can be used for other things. I have been wanting to try this for a while, but I just never had the time or motivation until today. I should take some measurement pictures!

Tomorrow night I have to work at finishing some orders so that they can hopefully go out on the weekend to their respective shops. Tomorrow is my first "full day" at work - 8am - 3pm with a pick up of Tori at 5pm.

Birthday presents for Heike

It has been a while since I have posted and my fingers are raw from the sewing I am doing!

My lovely mother-in-law had her birthday earlier in the week and I made some gifts for her. Firstly, my father-in-law bought a custom money bag from my etsy store (naughty Opa!).

To make it more femine, I put the D-rings at the top of the bag and the inside of the money pouch was done in a space fabric (to match the business). I also made a strap as well (as seen in my etsy store)

It also has one of those hidden compartments for money and a pouch for coins.


I also made her a tote with "Oma" on it and Tori gave it to her as a present. The material I got from spotlight and is a Camel print, as she likes camels.

The inside has some pockets for mobiles and other things as well. Lined with a cotton to match the Camels on the front.
We also got her a nice bottle of wine, and looking at the pathetic brown paper bag that it sat in, I quickly whipped up a wine bag to carry it in. I quilted the inside so as you can keep the bottles of wine cool during transporting. The material at the bottom of the bag is the Ume Komachi dobby fabric that I have made some things from.

Phew! Now on with the sewing for the online shop!