A bag...of the times....

I don't often make bags with metal frames but I've succumbed.

What do you think?

This is a brooch ....

It's been lousy light for photographing today - but if I wait for sunshine (or even daylight) it could be next spring before I get to share anything. This is made using Lacework and the covered button is made from Woodfern - just in case you wanted to know!

I'm told that this style of bag is the ultimate in economic bag making..... go on you want to know why ... don't you?

It isn't because it's small. It really isn't small. True it doesn't take long to make involving two exterior pieces, two lining pieces, two pieces of fusible interlining plus the excitment of sewing of everything together. You could probably make quite a few of these in a day but of course you would have to buy the frame unless you're into smelting and smithing, or however they are made.

Still thinking, well I'll tell you.... because it made me smile. At a vast stretch of the imagination I could just see etsy/folksy sidelines in this, particularly given the doom and gloom of the economic news we're being treated to at the moment. It's because you buy one bag frame and then make multiple bag shells and because the frame uses rods and small bolt type screws to fix it together, you just swap the frame between bags. All those different looks from one frame!

Can you see wardrobes and closets up and down the country with bag shells neatly stacked - one for every occasion - No! You do surprise me. It made me smile anyway. That had definately not occurred to me before ..... but it might be the 'germ' of a new idea, a new approach?

The fabric is Starflower Tiles From Amy Butler's Nigella home decor range.

Brooch and bag united in Amy Butler fabric, designed to be together...... Ah! (By the way - I still have a sale on Rowan fabric.) I'm going to make another one, slightly smaller than this and compare them to see which size/shape I like the best. If you're interested in the pattern just let me know. It's my very own, so I can share.

Comments

[Rachael]

Hi I love all of the flower brooches that you have made.
The colours of your recent martini in yellow is so pretty. I am wanting to make a flower corsage or brooch for a handbag are they easy to make?

[Barb]

What a cute bag! I tried sewing a coin purse with a metal frame in it, and I couldn't figure it out. I kept bending the frame. Thanks for stopping by my purse blog--I really appreciate it.

[Karen]

I love the bag. Is it for sale?? x

[ruth]

I love the bag and matching broach. Its always great to hear some good news-matching bags with changeable handles, a bit like the watch with 10 straps and economical too. It could catch on!

[dottycookie]

I think it's very pretty - and I love the brooch. Thanks to all the ideas you sent, I can see lots of yoyos in my future!

[x vInTaGe VioLeT x]

oohh gorgeous!

[Ali]

Lovely! That bag fabric is gorgeous, and I love the way you've used it.

[Kitty]

I love the way you've made that bag, with the fabric design centrally placed like that - it's so pretty. Great idea about interchangeable bags too! x

[Lace hearts]

Absolutely fab bag and brooch - I've never heard of a metal lined bag before, but the idea makes sense.

[Andrea]

Clever! I have a fixed sliver necklace/chocker that I interchange dangley beads necklace bits etc. Diffuclt to explain but I have one actual necklace that I change the centre focus to suit the outfit.
I have used other snap frames but I may tackle this to see how it goes. Always like a new challenge you know. Could use my lovely new fabric couldn't I?
Bye for now.
xx

[maria]

Very pretty, I love them both.