And it is a delightful project and yet another bag! The picture in the book is deceptive because according to the pattern it turns out quite small. Thanks to other bloggers in the Zakka Sew Along, learning this in advance meant that I was determined to make mine large enough to fit an ipad or kindle book in.
I must say it did come together quite easily and you can make this bag as simply as you want. I took a bit of time decorating the front and back panels and then adding a over-the-shoulder strap too - so that took up the majority of my time.
Tips
Cutting - No need to cut the front and back panels separately, I used a single piece of fabric for the both the front/back and the inner lining. I sized mine up to 10" x 24" (but folded in half in came down to a nice 10" x 12"). I did not use linen (well aware of it's fraying qualities) but some textured solid in brown.
Embellishments - Some of the clever ladies had time to make their own cross- stitch and crochet items. I had whipped through the book months ago and spotted the decorations on this bag and so I kept my eye out for handmade lovelies at local op-shops. It never ceases to amaze me that, not only do these precious items end up in thrift stores but, they are priced so cheaply. Luckily many of us see their true value and then re-purpose them into our handmade projects.
I had a selection of embroidered and crocheted doilies to choose from. I wanted to make a bag for my mum that matched the previous Messenger Bag and Tweed Pouch - so I looked for those colours in the embroidery.
I was able to use the leftover scraps and applique some extra features on as well. I had a couple of orphaned charms that fit the style as well. I cut them into smaller 2.5" squares and also used a full one on the back. I used zig zag and straight stitches with various stitch lengths to achieve different textures. I also used different coloured threads (light green to contrast and also variegated).
Extras
Velcro - As well as the button closure, I added a full strip of velcro to the lining to keep precious things from falling out.
Straps
I think Elnora's idea of adding a strap turned the bag into a more useful item. I did not have the right material and so had to make my own. It took longer but I used one of my favourite fabrics on the inside.
Use what you have
I think the best thing about this project was ferreting around in my buttons, ribbons, scrap boxes to find the bits and pieces necessary. Look at this garish retro button I found that works perfectly.
Go and visit the Flickr or Linky page to see how others made their linen bags delightfully individual.
Back on the Zakka Train again at...
With the French General
Today's Stash Share is very special. I am a modern style quilter but I happen to love traditional prints like Civil War reproductions, feedsack reproductions and the Collections for a Cause by Moda. Now somehow I have come late to the party with French General fabrics (not surprising because I am late to quilting and late to fabric purchasing and quilt blogging). My mum used some of their gorgeous solids in a quilt called 'Hope' and I got some of the leftovers. I used the taupe colour for my Zakka Style zig zag tote and my dresser runner. I am so impressed with the 'feel' of these fabrics - so very soft.
So when I bought my copy of Sweetwater Design's 'Simply Home' and I saw their gorgeous 'Master Suite' quilt, it took me a few months to realise that it was made with some French General 'Rouenneries' line. Unfortunately that line is almost impossible to get. Fortunately for me I was able to find the next incarnation of 'Rouenneries Deux' through Hancocks of Paducah.
These are the textured solids in turkey red and oyster. I still have the pearl on backorder. Fingers crossed that it will actually come through as it is the key sashing fabric for the quilt. Right now they are having a half price sale on most of the RD line - just in case you are interested.
I bought a layer cake from Kim at Stitching It Up on Etsy.
I also spied this gorgeous non-French General print in her shop and asked if I could buy up whatever was left to be used as my backing fabric. She was nice a enough to oblige.
Isn't it delicious and uncannily matchy for the FG prints and colourways?
Ok and just when you thought that was enough French General for one day, my lovely friend Jane from Quilt Club Australia has a new line called Chateau Rouge coming into her Want It, Need It, Quilt shop early next week. So I may be placing an order for a charm pack or two. You can check out her blog post about it here.
Keep your eye out for a special give-away coming soon for my 1st Blogiversary. I just ordered some lovely precuts from Jane for this.
Now it's your turn to share your latest fabrics, notions, books, patterns, vintage finds etc.
Oh dear! Something went wrong...please share here instead. Fingers crossed!
This post is past. I actually finished the Zakka Style Messenger Bag on Monday but have not, as yet, had a chance to write about it until today. It figures though because this project has had to wait before. On the tri-bar slider kit that I should have ordered BEFORE starting. I did try to buy the hardware locally from the 2 major fabric chains Lincraft and Spotlight but to no avail. I ended up purchasing via the Etsy store listed in the Zakka book. No problems with shipping but my unpreparedness put me behind the Zakka Style Sew Along by 2 weeks with this one.
This project was the 2nd only bag project I have attempted after the earlier Zig Zag Tote and I was a bit intimidated. However, it was a lot simpler to follow the directions in the book without getting into trouble.
There are a lot of great versions of this messenger bag on the Flickr group but I kind of stuck with the original colour palette in the book and I am so happy with the results.
Fabric Choices
Amazingly enough, Spotlight have just added some textured / woven solids to their quilting range lately and I was able to buy a lot of fabrics for the Zakka projects and use my $40 off when you spend $100 voucher to buy some really lovely large 1m cuts. Also some pre-made bias binding and various zips.
The rest of the fabrics, for the leaves, came from the scrappy solids I had lurking around. The outer body of the bag is from the previously purchased Essex linen in natural. Now the inner lining fabric is from Alexander Henry and I only had 1 yard of it instead of the 1.5 stated in the book, but I managed to stretch it by using the linen for the outer pocket lining.
Variations
Lining - I changed the layout of the inner pockets in the lining, added some interfacing and also added a magnetic clasp to keep the inside closed. I have seen a few ladies use these to keep the flap closed but I had already made the flap and could not work out how to put it in without a lot of unpicking and rethinking.
Straps - The pattern called for a 1.5" strap in the same fabric but I wanted to show off some of the great lining fabric and so I went back to the Zig Zag Tote instructions to make a 2-toned version. Unfortuately I miscalculated and mine ended up at 2" wide. They kind of squished into the 1.5" tri-bar slider.
There are only 2 things that I am unhappy about:
1. Is the stain that the basting spray made on my leaves because I really overused it.
2. My mother has requested the bag for her August birthday present (so that means that I have to make myself another one eventually). It's nice that she liked it that much though. I am making her a matching Zakka Style Orchard Tweed Pouch to go inside as a surprise.
I am linking up with...
