13.6.12

Would you buy this?

Not that I'm asking the right people...I guess that most people who read this blog like my sewing and other sewers would appreciate the effort it takes to make a bag.  I have made this bag for a silent auction at the school.  I hope that somebody buys it. Well, specifically, I hope that somebody likes it enough to pay a decent price for it.


The pattern is Nicole Mallalieu's City Shopper Bag, in her book, you sew, girl! The body of the bag is a linen, from Tessuti.  The patchwork panels on the front are linen, cotton and denim, including the scraps from my Marimekko teatowels.


I have used a vintage button to close the bag.


The straps are made from black canvas from Ikea.  I like using black for the handles as I feel it gives the bag less of a home-made look.  The Ikea canvas is strong enough that it doesn't need to be interfaced.

I have used a soft denim, from Spotlight, for the lining.  I used a heavyweight woven interfacing for the bag body, also from Spotlight.  I used the front panel fabrics on the bag facing, just for a bit of colour and fun.


There is an internal, zippered pocket.  I did depart from Nicole's instruction here and did a quickie zip / welt thingy.

I made one of these bags for myself, about a year ago, which I never blogged.  You can see it here.  The strap has faded a little, but apart from that, it is in good shape.  The main fabric was an Echino cotton-linen print and the front flap was a Japanese cotton, both purchased when I visited Japan.



The lining is a mystery fabric from a garage sale.


And whilst I am catching up...here is another bag I made earlier this year, using cotton canvas remnants from Otilly & Lewis and an Amy Butler print for the lining.  I have been disappointed in past bags made from Amy Butler fabrics as they fade terribly, but it should be okay in the lining.  The canvas is heavy enough that I did not need to interface the bag.


15 comments:

Janine said...

Your sewing and top stitching look really neat and professional. The pattern and the fabric of the bag look fun and it is unique so I think you will definitely sell this bag. Keep us up to date with what happens at the auction - it will be really interesting to see what it goes for.

Mary said...

I love handmade bags and would bid for this in a heartbeat.

Cath said...

I hope it gets what it is worth, and then some! Like most craft things, unless someone is a crafter/sewer, they cannot appreciate the effort that goes in. I don't think I could ever sell any of my quilts, because the time and effort (let's not even mention the cost of fabric) is rarely covered in what people are willing to pay. Good luck, it looks great!

Mary Nanna said...

I'm with the others! I hope it gets a price that reflects the work and expertise that has gone in to it.

My experience with sewing things for other people is that they generally have no idea what has gone in to the process and have been taught to devalue the garment industry by the poverty-line wage that third world workers are paid for mass production.

However, this is not mass production and it is for charity - two things that bring out the more generous nature in people...

Nikki said...

Love ya work! Fingers crossed, there are a few people in the auction with equisite taste and a liking for handmade.

Meg said...

i just made a scarf for our school auction! people will love your bag!

Karin said...

I hope you'll let us know how it goes. It's a lovely bag. I have no idea how people will judge it. I always worry that people are used to cheap cheap from China and don't understand the idea that it is a one off unique item. A group of school parents are kind of general cross section, not people specifically going to a craft fair or something. So I'd probably expect the worst (I'm a pessimist at heart!)
On the other hand, the bag is beautifully made, and you chose a wonderful combination of fabrics. Someone may just fall in love with it! And it is just right for a woman with children and all their bits and pieces that have to be lugged around. I think you must be in with a chance. Do let us know the outcome and have fun!

tigergirl said...

I'm sure that more than one person will love it. As others have said, it's so hard to tell these days with so many people being used to and expecting Chinese cheapies but surely if they get to have a close look at it the quality will stand out.

Gail said...

Of course they will buy it.

Beth Penny said...

I love your bag! I recently made a bag for a similar event & was happy with the sale price - someone is going to leave the auction with a big smile on her face!!

liza jane said...

Oh, someone will definitely buy it! I find that I'm really hard on my own work not being good enough when in fact people love the idea of owning something handmade. Love the fabrics you chose.

fabric epiphanies said...

What is not to love? I hope your school has some parents with very good taste and equally deep pockets and you make it's true worth.

MushyWear said...

Your bag should do really well at the auction! I think a lot of people will love it! I do!

Candice said...

I think it's really nice. I would love one for sure!

Megan O said...

I really like the auction bag and I do think it will be appreciated. I have found that people who don't sew are always in complete awe of the simplest handmade item I make. I think that if the other mums know that it was handmade by a school mum they will be amazed and clamouring to buy it! I made a little girl's skirt with ruffled flower brooches for our school auction and it got lots of bids. Good luck :)