It wasn't planned, to finish this funny handbag for Monday, but now that it is, I'd like to resume the old challenge, or my participation in the #needleworkmonday challenge.
As I mentioned before, I'm working on recycling the off cuts and leftover fabrics I have left from the time when I was making bags, which was during covid. The space that these bags are taking up is needed for other stuff, so the best solution is so start creating more bags for sale.
Today I'm back with a new bag, which is a handbag, a rare one in my collection as I usually make tote bags, shoulder bags, but this one is different and I'll tell you why.
This is how it started. This pair of jeans has been already used and this part was the cut off, or leftover, whatever word you like for it. Usually the legs are the ones most used as the fabric is clean. However, the upper part of the jeans is the most interesting, it is what makes the bag particular and unique.
So this was the piece I had to use and build, or design the bag on. What made this piece stand out was the pocket. This was a pair of jeans for kids, thus the pocket was smaller and not the standard one you get on the jeans.
After some magic, the front of the bag was ready and looked like this. I wanted to make it special, so I used the front pocket of another pair and added some extra elements, accessories, to make it unique.
The back is simple, no mixed fabrics, colors, or accessories. This is important as sometimes you can ruin the whole design with adding to much on both sides, so I decided it to use plain jeans.
The straps are obviously shorter this time, this is why it is a handbag and not a shoulder bag. The reason I decided to make it a handbag is, because it's smaller than the tote bags I am making.
This is the outer part. There's something I need to mention. You can see the blue stitches on the left. In reality, that line is barely visible and you can see it standing out only due to the flash of the camera.
The lining ... well, I had this fabric, leftover basically from a shirt, as I have already made a lining for a bag, but I really love this fabric a lot. Not the quality, which is good, but not the best, but the color is amazing. It has all the colors I love, so I tried my best to merge the pieces and create the lining.
Because I'm short on zippers, this time I decided to use magnets. It's the easiest solution, easier than zippers. So I applied the interface to protect the fabric and make the magnet lasting longer.
And here it is. All you have to do it apply, or iron the interfacing to the jeans, mark the place of the magnet, cut the two holes needed, apply and fasten the magnet and it's done.
And voilà! Here it is.
Only has two pockets, but the interior pocket is quite big, enough to store what you need.
Now I have to say goodbye to it and start designing the next one.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
