A simple bag

I hate starting with an apology but the photo's seem a little dark (It's the torrential rain, you know.) even with all my manipultions in Lightroom. (I don't know much beyond the very basics I'm afraid.) Anyway, on this dark and dreary day, here is a simple tote bag made fron Amy Butler's home decor weight, Nigella fabric and a plain (I think you're supposed to call them solids.) black fabric with a subtle basketweave pattern.

Vital statistics

It's 12 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches wide, 14 inches tall and a 28 inch fabric handle.

It has a fabric handle (28 inches finished length), Nigella fabric on one side and the plain fabric on the other. It's stitched along it's length four times for added strength. It's also interlined with a medium weight interlining which was a little bit of overkill given the heavier weight of the nigella fabric. I think I'd use a lighter interlining next time, if I felt it needed any at all.

The handle is looped through a nickel o-ring and sewn down in rectangle to try and keep everything tidy and nice.

The bag is lined with a solid dark burgundy fabric with a divided slip pocket in the same fabric. The pocket is trimmed with the main Nigella fabric. It has a magnetic snap to add a little security and help keep everything tucked safely inside.

I made and then added some black piping to the top edge of the bag, I'm not sure that I'd do this again because I don't think it's adds anything much. Perhaps in a different colour it would have made more of an impact?

I've started adding a extra piece of interlining over the back of magnetic snaps I add to my bags. To explain; in a bag like this I add the magnetic snap to the lining. The lining will also have an interlining, so that's one piece of fabric ( the lining) plus the interlining. Through this I add the magnetic snap, then insert a further square of interlining over the prongs at the back and add the 'washer' part of the snap and fold the prongs inwards . (I know a lot of people like to fold the prongs outwards.) Over this, I sew a further square piece of interlining which covers the whole magnetic snap and protects the exterior fabric (the outside of your bag), which I also interline, from any wear and tear caused by the movement of the snap against the bag fabric. It's a lot more complicted to explain than to do.

Why do I do this? Well.... it's because I lost a much loved bag to constant use - the magnetic snap constantly pulling and rubbing against the fabric began to wear it away when the rest of the bag was fine. Sad....... so very sad.

Any tips, hints, suggestions for taking photo's of bags (better than this anyway!)?

Comments

[Florence]

I loved reading about exactly how you put a snap in - i'd always folded them inwards too, it was only recently that I learnt this wasn't the proper way (and now I'm stumped as to which way I should do it!). I too have had magnetic snap disaster where the strong pull of the magnets ended up tearing the lining, so I've since started using much smaller snaps (I don't know what size you are using, but I found 18mm eventually tore the fabric, where as 14mm feels a much better size).

Your bag looks wonderful and I love the Nigella fabrics too.

Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. x