Sewing Vloggers

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Pussy Willow Bag

At least I think they are pussy willows! One thing I do know, this bag is a breath of fresh spring air. Once again it is Butterick 4409, this time minus any exterior pockets. The fabric is a Joanns home dec piece so it has a bit of substance and is 100% cotton. The faux leather is just a simple embossing, no paisley this time. The lining is a 100% novelty poly I might have gotten at the Fix. I love to have bright colored linings in my bags. A light color will soil and a dark color can be a black hole, so something reflective that provides contrast against the contents is what I shoot for. Here's a peek:
My son in law, who is a VP of Marketing, says I need to put my labels somewhere on the outside of the bag. What do you think? I may give it a try but would really love to know your two cents. I can see them in a loop in the seam of an exterior pocket or in a side seam. I have hundreds and hundreds of these labels. 
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This clutch pattern came home with me this past weekend. I haven't done a clutch from a pattern and these look cute. I am having some creative ideas here, maybe felting or painting. We will see what a dig thru the stash inspires. I also have some great patent leather I could try out too. My mind is really spinning on this one. 

We will be leaving to visit family in a couple of weeks and I want to make a dress for Sophie, my tall five year old. This pattern appealed to me and you can see the crazy colors I picked. This style and fabric are right up her alley. It looks like a pretty easy sew. I think I will cut it out tonight....Bunny

21 comments:

  1. Love the bag and the colors! I'm a sucker for those greens.

    I also love the pattern - so much so that I looked for and found it on Etsy when you first posted about it. It arrived on Saturday, but I'm still muddling my way through my self-pattern bag. And I'm almost out of my topstitching thread. ARghh. Which means a trip out for more.

    As for your tag, I vote in a loop on the outside too. Your SIL isn't a VP for nuthin'. ;-)

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  2. I really like the idea of your labels on the outside. They're so fun with the little bunny! Where did you get your labels? I love them!

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  3. The bag is spring! I'm not into bagmaking any more, but love to see them. And another vote for a label on the outside too, so cute.

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  4. Hi Bunny......your bags are delicious. Thank you for sharing your tips on bag making. By all means put your labels on the outside!!!! That little girl's dress is delightful...wish my grands were still little!

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  5. I happened upon my labels. I went shopping at the Fabric Fix in Manchester, NH, a couple of years ago and there were tons of labels on rolls. I picked up the ones with little bunnies.

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  6. LOVE the bag!!! I love making bags myself, and this one really caught my eye:)

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  7. What a festive, spring-like bag. Great colors! And what a terrific dress pattern for those fabrics.

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  8. I love creating and sewing!
    I loved your blog !!!!!
    I am following!
    kisses from Brazil

    http://munamo.blogspot.com

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  9. That's a very cute bag, Bunny. But, wow, that outfit for your little one is going to be adorable!!!

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  10. It is now official, Bunny. You are the queen of the bag ladies! Love both of your latest bags -- especially like the pussy willows, probably because it is cold and dreary here and I need a touch of spring!

    Here's my issue with bags. I hate changing them out all the time. How do you manage this?

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  11. Hello Bunny, I've made that dress and my daughter finds the waist seam to be itchy. I am certain you can come up with a better method for handling the waist seam. I also found the length of the handkerchief hem tricky to judge.

    Here is my review:
    http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=57053

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  12. I love your green bag, it really makes me feel Springy- even with all the snow in the picture!

    As for labels, I'd keep them on the inside. Unless you want to build a brand and sell your bags to the public. Labels on the outside always annoy me, I don't want to advertise the manufacturer's brand for them, for free! Of course, this is your own brand so it's different.

    While I lived in Abidjan, a French woman, who was a trained coutourier made all my clothes. It was the height of luxury. No size, no brand, no label of any kind just a perfect fit and and a completely unique garment.

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  13. That bag is awesome. Pattern and shape combine very well, it looks both playful and expensive.

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  14. Another beautiful bag. I am still struggling with mine. Is there a trick to pressing those tiny bulky seams in awkward places without burning your fingers?

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  15. Great bag! Yes, I think you should put your label outside the bag, in one of the seams. That is a popular thing to do now.

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  16. Another awesome bag! You've definitely inspired me, as I've got a bag cut out, fused and ready to sew on the cutting table. Unfortunately, between me and that bag is a pile of client alterations. Two down, two to go.

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  17. Bunny - I love the purse, and I think your labels on the outside would be fabulous...maybe think about sewing down all four sides - sort of like a Wrangler's label. It would look stunning!

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  18. Beautiful work, as always! I vote for leaving the label inside the bag, unless, of ourse, you are going commercial.

    Kathleen

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  19. I love the label, but here's an idea: Digitize the bunny and add it to your various creations in a contrasting or matching thread on the outside or where ever.

    Love the pattern for the little one (or should I say tall one?) My darling GD is tall for her age, too. I may just run out and buy that pattern!

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  20. Terrific bags! I have started adding my label to the inside of the strap (near the bottom edge). It's hiding in plain sight!

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  21. Generally speaking, I think labels on the outside of a piece of clothing is tacky. In marketing, it is a clever device to get free advertising, and because designers so often have a cult following, the wearers flaunt their labels and develop a smugness that is really repellent. I believe the clothing should complement the person wearing it rather than having all one's attention fly to the garment and its label. In your case, your little bunny label might look cute on the outside, but I still wonder if it would interrupt the lines of the bag and prove to be a distraction.

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