Friday, December 30, 2016

Finish It Up Friday - Tiny Tote and Mini Xmas Tree

Hello Dear Friends,

I didn't want to show you this bag yesterday before I had given it to my sister ..... didn't want to spoil her surprise! She received her presents later in the day, yesterday, so now I can share with you!

I am also linking to Amanda Jean's "Finish it Up Friday" ..... it's a great party, lots to see! Amanda is showing a particularly cute quilt finish today too!

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A couple of days before Christmas I decided to make a "quick" gift bag for my sister's birthday, and I just happened to have two fat quarters, the patterns of which I thought she'd like.

A couple of years ago I found a tutorial for a "gift bag" by Buttonberry, via Pinterest. Click HERE to see their tutorial. At that time I wanted to make something to hold a scarf for my mother, but I decided the gift bag would be more useful with handles!

As mum uses her bag most days .... to hold her knitting .... I thought my sister might like a similar one! (Mum's bag is at the end of this post.)

For my sister's bag, I made a few more changes ..... as she too knits a lot ..... I thought it would be rather nice, if, as well as having  handles, the bag could have a pocket for those tiny items knitters need, and one pocket divided into two for pens, or for her DP knitting needles, and I added a flap to help stop her wool jumping out as she knits!

Tiny Tote
No buttonhole on this baby! I just stitched the "homemade" button directly onto the
flap. The weight of the button (although it isn't particularly heavy) keeps the flap down.

Tiny Tote - inside pockets

Interfacing for Tiny Tote

I usually use polyester wadding but thought interfacing would be more suitable, making the bag nice and light, in order to enable my sister to knit with the bag on her arm.

Tiny Tote in progress

Tiny Tote in progress

Tiny Tote - Bagging Out
"Bagging Out"

Tiny Tote - Could have stopped here!
A nice little "Tote" ..... could have stopped here!!!

But no, I like a boxed finish!

Measurements for boxing corners - Tiny Tote
The shorter the measurement here, the taller the bag.

Tiny Tote - Boxing the corners
"Boxing" the corners.

Finishing boxed corners - Tiny tote

Tiny Tote - inside view, boxed corners finished
This has to be the best seam closure I've ever stitched!

Reverse of flap

My sewing machine really behaved itself this time ..... lovely neat stitches and no bobbling ..... which was just as well because I was racing to finish!

Tiny Tote - My gorgeous bag with its Cherrywood button!
And, after telling you all about our cherry buttons in the last post, there had to be a button!

I was really pleased with the way this turned out ..... so much so ..... I had to force myself to give it away!!!! Now I want to make one for me!


I just found this photo of mum's bag. It looked different to how I remembered it, then I realised I have since changed the handles .....  they were too floppy ..... so I made wadded handles, and stitched them on top of the pink stripey handles!

Mum's Tote
The original bag .....  Alas, with floppy handles!

And here is the little tree I showed yesterday ..... finished!

Mini Xmas tree

Mini Xmas Tree - finished

The stitching was intentionally showing ..... to make it look more "prim"!

Mini Xmas Tree in progress
And this is the next tree in progress!

I'm getting into the swing of tree making now and can't wait to see how this fabric suits the tree pattern as it progresses.

Thank you for visiting today. Now don't be a stranger ..... see you again soon!

I hope you have a stitchy weekend!

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!



Hugs,
Barbara xxx


16 comments:

Pamela said...

What great bags! I'm sure your mom and sister love them. Can't wait to see the one you make for yourself!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

They're both great bags and I love the button!! If you really do lose your tree, you'll have to keep some branches so you can make more. Can't wait to see the next tree!

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara what a lovely bag and xmas tree,happy new Year.

Bea said...

The bag is terrific - she is thrilled I'm sure.

Justine said...

I love your bags - beautifully made and perfect for the recipients! Wishing you a very happy 2017.

Christine B said...

I love your bags Barbara and your little trees are really cute! I am sure your sister was delighted with her new present! Christine x

Sheryl said...

Beautiful bag Barbara, useful too.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

The bags are a great and useful gift and so adaptable for the purpose of the person you are gifting it to. And BEAUTIFUL too!!

Happy New Year
xx, Carol

Raewyn said...

Bags are a useful gift and this gorgeous one looks extra handy :-) Love your wee tree as well!

Amy at love made my home said...

What a great finish on your bag! Happy New Year!

Queeniepatch said...

You are quite the bag maker!
Happy stitching in 2017, too.

Wendy said...

That's a lovely bag, i bet your sister was pleased. Love the cute little tree

Brigitte said...

Oh my, Barbara, such a sweet little bag. A wonderful gift for your sister.

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

So many beautiful things in this post...
The bag is gorgeous and I would also have to force myself to give it away. It's very beautifully made. I love your idea of using a heavy button to keep the flap down.
Your tree is also very beautiful. A great way to use leftover fabrics.
I wish you a Happy New Year! All the best!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

That is a wonderful bag, I love the oversized wooden button too. Is that one that you made from your cherry tree?

Shaheen said...

The tree is fantastic. Happy New Year to you Barbara.