Minerva Blogger Network Project - Stripy Bag

For my July Minerva Blogger Network project I decided to make something other than an item of clothing.  Much as I love making clothes, I was desperately in need of a(nother) project bag for my ever expanding collection of unfinished knitting projects!
 
I spent quite a long time on Pinterest looking at bag patterns, and finally decided to go with this reversible box tote, which is a free download from Very Shannon.
 
 
It's even pictured with knitting in it, so I knew it was the one!
 
For my fabric I picked some blue and white mini striped denim for the outside, and some blue, pink and lilac flag print cotton poplin for inside.  I had one metre of each of these fabrics, together with 1 metre of medium weight interfacing.
 
Here's what I did with it.
 
 
 

 
 
As you can see, I didn't add the pocket - I was going to put one inside, but I forgot! - and my bag isn't reversible.  What I did add was a free motion embroidered and appliqued picture to one side.
 
 
 

I've been doing free motion embroidery for a couple of years and love it.  I used scraps of fabric I already had in my stash, but Minerva have a great selection of fat quarters if you wanted to pick up a few to give this a go yourself.  I have a tutorial here on my blog giving you the basics of the process if its something you've never tried before.  Be warned though, it's pretty addictive!
 
If you don't fancy the free motion embroidery but want to embellish your bag somehow, how about trying some of these padded felt motifs?  These birds are very sweet.
 
The fabrics included in the kit give you more than enough to make 2 or 3 bags, so you've got plenty to experiment with!  I did use almost all the interfacing on this one, so you might need to pick up more of that if you want to make several bags.
 


26 comments

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    1. I know! ;-) Sorry, that sounds so big headed, but seriously, this is one of those projects that turned out even better than I imagined it - which doesn't always happen!

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  2. Gorgeous! Love the embroidery.

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  3. It's amazing!! Your embroidery is just fabulous.

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    1. Thank you Liza Jane, it's such fun to do.

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  4. Lovely, you are very talented. I have read your tutorial and am feeling inspired to give it a go myself. What thread do you use?

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    1. Oh yes, have a go, it's great fun. I just use normal sewing thread, my favourite brand is Gutermans.

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  5. Wow, that bike looks amazing! Just read your article on embroidery, I definitely want to have a try. Have you ever done embroidery by hand?

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    1. Do try it Georgia, it really is fun. I have done embroidery by hand, but not for many years.

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  6. Gorgeous bag, Sam! Perfect for storing projects. The bike is so impressive.

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    1. Thank you Claire. It's currently full of knitting!

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  7. That embroidery/applique is so amazing, I can't stop looking at it!

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  8. Bloomin' gorgeous Sam! You are so very clever - this one is just amazing!

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    1. Ah, thank you. It was a little bit fiddly to cut out!

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  9. Love it! Your free machine embroidery is amazing Sam!

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  10. Beautiful bag! I love the embroidery, the details on the bike are so perfect!

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  11. I'm still in awe of your embroidery work.

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  12. Love, love, love it! Can't believe I missed this one until I came across it on Minerva.

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  13. This is incredible Sam! I cannot stop swooning ever since I spied it when you originally posted it ( I was away so hadn't been able to do more than glance at the pics). Totally amazing! You've a real talent

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    1. Thank you Winnie! I love this one, I think it has been my favourite so far.

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