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Messenger Bag Made With Love

Messenger-Hipster Style Shoulder Bag

Grandkids Favorite Characters on New Drawsting Backpack

Today I created, among others, a little backpack for my grandson's favorite little cars. This fabric features Lightning McQueen and Tow-Mater. I can hardly wait to see his face when he gets this. I have to wait till Monday though. So stay tuned for a picture or two of the biggest smile ever.

Didn't forget my precious little grandaughter either. This is her new bag to keep her things all neat and tidy too.

I can make these for you too! Geat gift ideas! Use them as a gift bag. Just visit my web page at http://victorialynn.homestead.com/custombackpack.html and order with confidence and pay safely through Paypal or with a money order.

Free Pattern For Drawstring Purse

The tutorial for the gathered purse is finished, and has step-by-step instructions with photos. Click on a picture to go to the directions. Have fun!

Free Pattern For Drawstring Purse

A perfect first little purse for your little darling. Easy to make.

No metal or plastic parts, and so adorable!

Materials needed:

1/4 yard each of fabric and lining.

1 1/2 yard of cord for drawstring.

Paper for reproducing the pattern pictured below.

Note: The dimensions given on this pattern illustration are for after the pattern is cut out. So paper should measure 9" x 6.5" if you place on fold . Cut fabric piece should be 13" wide when unfolded.

1. Cut two each of outer fabric pieces and two of lining.
2. Cut strap 4" x 10".
3. Cut pocket 6" x 10"

You should have all the pieces in the next photo

Strap cut size will vary depending on which option you choose.

If you would like a reversible strap, cut a top and bottom piece, one from outer fabric, and one from lining fabric, each 2" x 10". Stitch them, right sides together. Turn.

(Optional): choose which fabric you would like for your strap and cut piece 4" x 10". Fold the piece in half lengthwise, press, then fold raw edges to center, press, and stitch along both sides of strap, folded edges together.

Turn under the top 2 inches of seam allowance about 1/2" and stitch. This is to finish the opening for the drawstring casing.

Pin front to back, and stitch together, leaving the opening for the casing. Turn purse right side out.

From the right side of the fabric, topstitch the opening about 3/8" away from seam.

Fold pocket in half, right sides together, and stitch, leaving an opening to turn. Then clip corners, and turn right side out and press. Stitch close to the open edge to close and form topstithcing. Center pocket on right side of one lining piece and stitch sides and bottom to lining.

Pin strap to center of outside piece and stitch in place.

Stitch lining sections together and leave an opening at the bottom to turn purse right side out.

Insert outer purse into lining and pin top edges together. Stitch top edeges together.

Turn purse right side out through opening. Tuck lining into purse, press, then topstitch very close to edge and again one inch from first stitching. This forms a casing for your drawstring.

Cut two pieces of cord, about 24" each. Using a very large safety pin, thread each cord through the casing, starting each one at opposite ends. Knot the ends to prevent fraying. There you have it!

This is my first tutorial. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions or questions. Check back for more great sewing ideas!

Winnie The Pooh Bag

Sometimes, when my creative juices need a nudge, I just sort through my stash of fabric, and remnants just jump out at me and then magically turn into something. These pieces of Disney Winnie The Pooh fabric were transformed into this little girl's drawstring bag with "wristlet" handle.

It measures 12" wide when open and 7" tall. Drawstrings are drawn through a casing between the outside and lining fabrics. A pocket is added inside.

I am going to create a tutorial soon with a pattern and directions on how you can make one too. It took about an hour and a half. This project resurrected my passion for working with kid's colorful fabrics.

Just as a head's up, this only requires 1/4 yard (or fat quarter) each of outer fabric and lining, and 1.5 yard (48") of decorative cord. I use a polyolefin with a glitter through it. The handle is hot pink corduroy (which matches Pooh's t-shirt) on one side and matching fabric on the other.