There are so many types of bags that fall under this description. However; I will try to keep it to smaller types of bags with zippers that I showcase here.
Color Blocking
I really like the aesthetics of color blocking and pattern mixing. I find one or two pieces of fabric that I am drawn to and then try to find things to contrast or complement them.
Many times I will batch sew the bags that I make because I find it easier to match multiple combinations of patterns in many ways rather than to only make one pairing.
For these bags, I had acquired some upholstery sample books from a local upholstery shop and was trying to utilize the colored swatches on the bottom from the book. These bags are an example of reusing something that was headed for the landfill.
The Fortune Cookie!
This fortune cookie bag was an idea that was presented to me as a challenge by a dear friend. She had seen a similar bag on Pinterest and wanted to know if I thought I could make one similar.
The navy blue bag was the first attempt. I started with a pretty heavyweight of fabric. I soon found out that doesn’t work very well. I found that it works best to use thinner fabrics due to the folding and the bulk once it is folded. The handle was so thick it didn’t want to go through the loop!
The next try was with a dinner napkin. I added interfacing, and I added a lining. I also had to increase the size of the circle. It took me several attempts to get it to a size and configuration that was useful, but once I figured out which weight of interfacing would work best on the fabric, it worked better. And the handle was much easier to get through the loop.
In the end, I did manage to figure it out. I ended up making the best one out of a bandana using a medium-weight interfacing on the outer fabric and then sewing it like a boxed zipper bag and adding a lining.
the challenge taught me a lot about sewing different shapes, the difference in interfacing, and how to gauge the size needed to make it useful. She ended up with a one of a kind fortune cookie bag!
Matching Sets
When I make bags, I often get the same request, “Can you please make sets?” I am not sure why so many people want sets of bags, I do try to make multiple sizes of bags when I make them now just so folks can buy multiples if they are looking for a set.
These striped rose zipper bags were made from a summer dress and an old pair of blue jeans that were both headed to the landfill! I will often be on the receiving end of a donation of clothing that is headed to the garbage. I just turn them into bags.
The Beginning
I used to run a small Etsy shop once upon a time. I was very new to selling online but wanted to try my hand at it. I set up my shop and started posting pictures of things that I would make. After a while, I made a few sales. It was exciting to make a bag and have someone else want the bag. I piddled around with it for almost 2 years. Then Etsy changed their rules and things started to become a huge headache! I just wanted to sew and share stuff, I have no interest in being held back but some website owner with a power trip! I closed my store and moved on!
Licensed Fabrics
Along with the new rules and regulations being pushed on me with Etsy, I also found myself suddenly in the middle of a copyright and license snafu. I had acquired an entire bolt of the LV and Supreme collaboration fabric from a prior collab. I purchased it from the flea market from a vendor who buys old storage units. I got it for a sweet price and in return, I made a half dozen bags for the vendor.
While I had my store open on Etsy, I did sell a few bags made with the fabric. I didn’t have an issue until someone tried to blackmail me into making them something for free or they would turn me in. I didn’t make them anything in the end, I just removed it all from the store and stopped taking custom orders.
Now I try to avoid taking pictures with anything that I have made out of a licensed fabric. I figure, if there aren’t any pictures, there is far less hassle. Besides, the only licensed fabrics I utilize are thrift store throw aways!