I love, love, love bags. You could call me a bag lady. (Some people probably do!) I make tote bags, drawstring bags, and now - tatting bags. I certainly don't need any more bags, but I just love to make them. They are a quick, easy crafting fix for me - a kind of stress relief, I think. I am working on a simple laptop bag/sleeve for the English Major at the moment with fabric from the stash.
I whipped up some simple drawstring bags for hubby to put his things in to haul when he goes ice fishing. A little protection for the weather radio, GPS and binoculars. Nothing fancy, just practical convenience. This is an easy to whip-up pattern for a lined drawstring bag.
I also saw this "sock sack" for carrying needles & yarn for knitting socks. I thought it would make a good tatting bag, so I made some of these for Secret Santa gifts, and a couple for myself too.
Sometimes I just try to figure out a pattern on my own. Not with any intention of hurting anyone's pattern business - it's just a good challenge for me - sort of like figuring out a puzzle or something. I bought a little jewelry bag many years ago, and decided it would make a great tatting bag if it was just a bit larger. So, I made myself a tatting bag and added some tatting to the top edge. I made another of these for a Christmas gift for a friend. I now see that these bags are sold as tatting bags, so I wasn't as original as I thought I was. (Always a day late, I am. Not to mention a dollar short!) Anyway, I still love this bag - one could use it for many things. I will probably make more :)
A visit to a MN Lace Society meeting last spring introduced me to Arlene Linton - someone that doesn't make any lace - she paints it. She had designed some fabric with her painted lace on it, and I picked up a few fat quarters that she was selling. Perfect!
This picture shows the "painted lace" fabric - wish I could get more of that. It is such pretty fabric, and is great for tatting bags. I wanted to make all the Secret Santa bags from this fabric, but didn't have enough.
Now, if I could just design some tatting patterns as easily. Maybe that will come someday :)
I love all your bags! I'm a little bit bag obsessed also - it seems I have a great need to have my tatting or sewing stuff with me.
ReplyDeleteI also use a jewelry bag for my tatting. My mom gave me a small one years ago. I didn't know it was for jewelry (that's how behind in the game I am) and always used it for sewing. When I started tatting again I made a bigger version. Wish I could get some of your painted lace fabric also. It is PERFECT! So I'm going to wish that lady GREAT success and hope that someday I find a bolt of her fabric in the shop.
:) Ann
Lovely bags! You woman can't have too many bags. LOL! I purchased a tatting bag very much like yours. Knowing how to make them, though! You can choose whatever fabrics you want. That lace fabric is the bee's knees!
ReplyDeleteI love bags too but don't have near the time I need to make them. I have a couple of patterns I've been craving to make for a few years. Then I bought this little teeny one last fall that has intrigued me to no end and I think I'm going to have to make that one before 2010 is over. Yours look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh I just love that lace fabric!
ReplyDeleteThose bags are cute. I absolutely love the color play on that last one. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your bags! =) THanks so much for mine! =)
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