I fell in love with this pattern long ago. Sadly, the $13 price tag scared me off. One day recently, I stumbled upon this pattern WITH fabric at a thrift store for only $5! The cowgirl fabric was something I would have never considered, but I am so pleased with this bag. I am out of practice and my sewing skills are slow to recover. I did not use any piping as called for in the pattern. I am really in love with how it turned out! We plan on getting a lot of use out of this bag for travel this summer and it sure will be easy to identify with those cute western boots- nothing like anything we've ever had before.

Pattern:
http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfdownloads/weekender.php

I enjoy using the smaller tote for on the go knitting. I wasn't happy with how the last one looked with my fabric choices. This fabric was all stash busting. Yay for using up what I have. I am much happier with the result of these fabric choices.

Pattern:
http://noodle-head.com/product/makerstote

Attempted the Noodlehead Maker's Tote in the smaller version. This bag tempted me to buy one readymade from someone else but they retail for around $60-$80. So, I had to put the work in myself. I'm not quite as happy with mine but I do like the smaller size. Some of the others I've seen have a longer handle. Maybe I'll try one more and modify the handle length. This one doesn't have a zipper because the only separating zip I have on hand is a tan color and won't work with these colors. Since the move, it is an hour round trip to the nearest craft store.

Pattern:
http://noodle-head.com/product/makerstote

 

What a great panel fabric! I love these crafty ladies. I modified the pattern. This bag is very simple- no pockets or zips. I find it great to hold my current knitting project. Only one bag with one lady on each side.

 

 

Pattern:

http://swoonpatterns.com/shop/ethel-tote-bag/

 

 

My dear knitter friends and I enjoy a special Christmas party each year where we exchange the best gifts. This year, I included a few personalized, purchased gifts along with these handmade, hand stamped project bags.. I love this large size, cotton, drawstring bag because it holds a regular sized pattern sheet.

Our dear sweet ten-year-old colored each of the tags beautifully.

The words on this fabric are perfect for my auntie.

Pattern:

Swoon Patterns Alice Shopper Tote

The Noodlehead Super Tote. The front with the green stripe is a large pocket. There are also pockets on the inside. I love the zipper flap. I'm finding that I like using bags with zips more often lately.

 

Pattern:

Noodlehead Super Tote Pattern

I am so happy with these pictures! They are far from great, but I feel like I'm making some progress in my photo skills.

Photographer tips:
Megan Dipiero

Tote pattern:

www.swoonpatterns.com

Fabric:
www.connectingthreads.com

My model is much too small here. This is the Ramona Cross Body Bag. I found this great fat quarter of fabric that had hot air balloons, adobe homes, and old route 66 printed on it. My dear friend lived in New Mexico, so this was a fun thing to make with her in mind.

Pattern:

www.swoonpatterns.com

I pieced together scraps for this one. It is missing the zip pocket inside because I simply forgot.

 

My first real purse. The lining didn't fit well, so I tried to hand tack it in. It is a gift. I made sure the strap is long enough so it can be worn on the shoulder or across the body.

 

Pattern:

www.swoonpatterns.com

 

Coraline is the Swoon pattern name of this wristlet. It went together pretty easily. Maybe I used too stiff an interfacing, I'm not really loving it. Another project to send to the Salvation Army.

Swoon Evelyn Tote

Swoon Evelyn. This one is tote sized. Perfect for a whole day out with little kiddos. I love this bag! There is an inside zip pocket and a recessed zip top. In our house, we were divided on the buttons. I'd love some input.

Pattern:
www.swoonpatterns.com

knitting bags

 

These three are some examples of the bags I made at Christmas time for my knitter friends.

 

Pattern:

http://www.sewmamasew.com/2011/01/free-pdf-pattern-from-the-bag-making-bible-bag-giveaway/

 

From this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Bag-Making-Bible-Complete-Customizing/dp/071533624X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429908609&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bag+making+bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evelyn from Swoon Patterns. This one is purse-sized and I LOVE it! I love this fabric and the size of the bag and so much about it. I cut out a leather panel for the bottom but was too chicken to use it. Maybe I'll make another and go for it.

Pattern:
http://swoonpatterns.com/

bird swoon

Ethel, from Swoon Patterns. This was my second attempt and I was hoping this would be perfect since I had tried out the pattern first. This was supposed to be the `good` fabric. I am much happier with my first one. I ran into a few problems with the zip and the straps on this.

Pattern:
http://swoonpatterns.com/

This pattern is called Ethel from Swoon Patterns. It is a freebie on their site. It went together pretty easily. I used 809 pellon to interface all the pieces so it stands up well. I did not pin my side pieces together before sewing them, so when I finished I had to trim a quarter inch to even it up. This is also my first time making a welt zipper. The directions were pretty good and although mine is slightly crooked, it otherwise looks good. I'm very happy with how this turned out and I'd really like to make another someday.



Pattern:
http://swoonpatterns.com/shop/ethel-tote-bag/

I totally LOVE the Swoon Pattern site. Her bags are really great! I totally dislike this bag and would give it to the first person to knock on the door.



Pattern Laney Hobo Bag:
http://swoonpatterns.com/

Dumplings

 

When snapping this shot, I realized how often I don't get pics of the things I make. There were a couple of these, but the other one was so cute it went into use right away.

This pattern, slightly enlarged to make the most of my 17" zips.
http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/08/lets-make-dumplings-free-zip-pouch-tutorial.html

Embroidered patch on bag.