summercomfort (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
summercomfort) wrote2011-08-28 07:21 pm
summercomfort) wrote2011-08-28 07:21 pm
Bag MAKE!
So I have a trusty shoulder bag and a trusty cross-body travel bag that I've been using for the last 4+ years, and they've been getting a bit ratty -- so I decided it was time to get a new bag. I needed a bag that had inside pockets for phone and miscellany, and easy-access outside pockets for pens and keys. But I also didn't want the outside to look all chunky with pockets.
Here are my trusty bags -- the gray one is great for travelling -- This summer, it held my water bottle, Kindle, iPad, books, umbrella, wallet, etc. The one problem I have with it is that it doesn't hold standard sheets of paper very well. The khaki one is great for everyday stuff -- I use the side pocket for my keys, and there's a handy place for pens on the back. Plus nice pockets for cell phone, etc, on the inside.
After some internet searching, I decided to try this bag, but in red.
It was unsatisfactory -- there were two straps -- a removeable, adjustable strap that was too long, and an attached leather strap that was too short. Because the top opening was wider than the bottom, it bulged out in awkward ways once it was on my shoulder. The outside pocket was on the wrong side and hard to get to and hard to take things out of.
So on the plane to Chicago for the Michigan camping trip, I decided: I'm going to make my own bag -- one that I can use for everyday walk-around-town, but will also be the right size for traveling. I mean, why not? My two original bags seemed to be mostly fabric, and they didn't seem *that* different from making costumes. I had 3 bags to use as examples, and I can take my favorite parts of each bag. So this is what I designed:
- Side pockets for easy access to keys and water bottle/umbrella
- Can hold 9x12" sketchbook/notebook
- Inner lining with waterproof fabric so that I don't have to freak out when it rains.
- Adjustable strap
- Front flappy thing
- Can be zipped closed
After getting back, I bought the fabric and zippers and everything else, cut out the pieces, and started sewing. Here's the page in my notebook where I was writing down measurements. You can tell it's pretty straightforward:
In the process I finally figured out which foot was the zipper foot -- the one that I thought was the zipper foot and didn't like because it didn't work very well was actually not the zipper foot! And the real zipper foot was actually quite zipper-friendly! Of course, I realized this *after* I did the front zipper. Oops. I used clasps and elastic for the first time, as well as zipper-pockets and interfacing, so it was pretty exciting!
And here's the end result:
Made sure all the zippers opened right to left, because I'm right-handed. Also: found the "purse attachments" section of JoAnns, which allowed me to get matching D-rings and strap clips.
Check out the waterproof inside lining! No more worries about light rain! I used ribbon to hide/lock in the seams on the inside, which I totally cribbed from one of my bags. :D
There are definitely things that I'd like to improve, but I think it looks presentable enough for general use.
And here's me showing the "everyday" style and the "travel" style" next to Jono's tomatoes:
And the best part is: if it breaks, I know how to make a better one! (I still have lots of left-over fabric, too. This takes so little fabric, I basically shopped the Remnants section)
Here are my trusty bags -- the gray one is great for travelling -- This summer, it held my water bottle, Kindle, iPad, books, umbrella, wallet, etc. The one problem I have with it is that it doesn't hold standard sheets of paper very well. The khaki one is great for everyday stuff -- I use the side pocket for my keys, and there's a handy place for pens on the back. Plus nice pockets for cell phone, etc, on the inside.
After some internet searching, I decided to try this bag, but in red.
It was unsatisfactory -- there were two straps -- a removeable, adjustable strap that was too long, and an attached leather strap that was too short. Because the top opening was wider than the bottom, it bulged out in awkward ways once it was on my shoulder. The outside pocket was on the wrong side and hard to get to and hard to take things out of.
So on the plane to Chicago for the Michigan camping trip, I decided: I'm going to make my own bag -- one that I can use for everyday walk-around-town, but will also be the right size for traveling. I mean, why not? My two original bags seemed to be mostly fabric, and they didn't seem *that* different from making costumes. I had 3 bags to use as examples, and I can take my favorite parts of each bag. So this is what I designed:
- Side pockets for easy access to keys and water bottle/umbrella
- Can hold 9x12" sketchbook/notebook
- Inner lining with waterproof fabric so that I don't have to freak out when it rains.
- Adjustable strap
- Front flappy thing
- Can be zipped closed
After getting back, I bought the fabric and zippers and everything else, cut out the pieces, and started sewing. Here's the page in my notebook where I was writing down measurements. You can tell it's pretty straightforward:
In the process I finally figured out which foot was the zipper foot -- the one that I thought was the zipper foot and didn't like because it didn't work very well was actually not the zipper foot! And the real zipper foot was actually quite zipper-friendly! Of course, I realized this *after* I did the front zipper. Oops. I used clasps and elastic for the first time, as well as zipper-pockets and interfacing, so it was pretty exciting!
And here's the end result:
Made sure all the zippers opened right to left, because I'm right-handed. Also: found the "purse attachments" section of JoAnns, which allowed me to get matching D-rings and strap clips.
Check out the waterproof inside lining! No more worries about light rain! I used ribbon to hide/lock in the seams on the inside, which I totally cribbed from one of my bags. :D
There are definitely things that I'd like to improve, but I think it looks presentable enough for general use.
And here's me showing the "everyday" style and the "travel" style" next to Jono's tomatoes:
And the best part is: if it breaks, I know how to make a better one! (I still have lots of left-over fabric, too. This takes so little fabric, I basically shopped the Remnants section)