Home Storage - Designer Plastic Carrier Bag Dispenser

The finished designer carrier bag dispenser

This is something I've been intending to make for quite some time. EVERYBODY needs a plastic carrier bag dispenser. For this to look stylish it was important to purchase the right fabric. I didn't do cheap, I went designer!

Three beautiful designer fabrics for the dispenser

The colours compliment each other beautifully. I had originally wanted to make a blue and black one but the red fabric kept leaping out at me when I was in the fabric store.

The top and body ready to be constructed

 There is an opening at the top to put the carrier bags and then it's as simple as pulling one out from the bottom as and when you need one.

The body of the dispenser complete

The top and the body attached together

The detail gets even better with a contrasting colour thread running across the edge of the black/grey fabric, in this case red. The designer of the pattern, Alicia Thommas (s4h), has done a wonderful job.

Want your own designer carrier bag dispenser? For £ 1 9 . 9 9 it could be yours. Contact me with colour/pattern scheme. 

Handmade Bag - Designer Tote - Michael Miller (Nevermore)

This is, to date, my *star* bag. I LOVE it! Michael Miller Fabrics are sooo very beautiful. Many designs, contemporary and traditional. The external fabric used on this bag is from the Nevermore collection, and the lining is called 'script', often associated with the Nevermore collection. As these as light/medium fabrics I also added some padding just to give it a sturdy existence as I like my bags to have substance.

Designer, Michael Miller, Tote bag.

So, unlike the retro tote I posted earlier, this one is made with entirely designer fabric, and the straps are attached by button holes as was originally intended by the original designers, Alicia Thommas and Liz Johnson, thanks to my new sewing machine - so in love (watch this space for a review). The fussy cutting on this was very difficult and the added frill on the original designed external pocket, I decided it was best without.

[caption id="attachment_180" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Designer Fabric, Michael Miller[/caption]

Below you will see a detailed picture timeline for this lovely bag, a little treat for you as to the construction of my bags.

[caption id="attachment_181" align="aligncenter" width="576"] As I would say to my son, 'are you ready, steady, teddy?'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_182" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Fusible fabric on the back of the lining fabric of the external pocket.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_183" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The external pocket inside out[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_184" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The external pocket the right way round[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Lining the fussy cut external pocket with the front panel of the tote[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_186" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Preparing the bag for squaring the corners[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_188" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The front of the bag (now attached to the back panel)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_189" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The back panel (now attached to the front panel)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_190" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Preparing the lining for the designer bag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_192" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Lining up the internal pocket of the bag.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_194" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The magnetic fastener is in place and nearly ready to attach to the outer part of the bag[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_195" align="aligncenter" width="575"] One of the two straps for the bag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Lining up the buttons to where the button holes are going to be[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_197" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Side one complete[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Stitching the button holes using a 1-step button hole stitch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Cutting the hole for the button to squeeze[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The finished bag with the lining attached[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_204" align="aligncenter" width="576"] From the side, look at how those button compliment the bag[/caption]

Custom Softie - Darla the Lamb

Awwwww! now this was pretty special to make. Tilly's little lamb.

[caption id="attachment_175" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla the lamb with bells[/caption]

Made from designer cotton fabric, Tilly's newborn babygro, felt, with hand stitched detail. This was such a pleasure to make. This was making an already beautiful pattern by Dolls and Daydreams into something so unique and special. Tilly's mum even chose the designer fabric. Who said owls and sheep don't go together?

[caption id="attachment_176" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla in all her glory, made from designer cotton fabric and Tily's newborn babygro[/caption]

This was a bit of a challenge because of using the babygro (a very stretchy fabric). The babygro was used for the inner ear, paws, and front of the body.

[caption id="attachment_174" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Darla's little bottom, Tilly's name hand embroidered[/caption]

This is Darla. A little bell around her neck with a series put inside with the stuffing. Tilly's name embroidered on the back with her date of birth, making it just that little bit extra special. This was one of the creations that I have made that I really didn't want to give away, but it is a very lovely new home.

Custom Dolly - Maggie the Flower Girl

After doing two gothic dolls, Betty Lou and Nancy, and a Christmas Doll, Sweet Angie, it was soooooo lovely to make a girly doll - pink and flowers and all. This little lady is adapted from lovely Sarah's pattern from Dolls and Daydreams. Using cotton, felt, ribbon and hand embroidered details. I love Maggie with her blonde pigtails and pink floral outfit, even her tutu has little sequins on.



I knew that this little dolly had to be pink with blonde hair and little pink cheeks, just like the little girl she was made for. What made Maggie different from the gothic dolls I have previously posted, apart from the little pink cheeks, is that her hair also had matching ribbon weaved through.

[caption id="attachment_169" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Little pink cheeks and ribbon in her hair[/caption]

 

Handmade Bag - Retro Green Tote

I have recently been pouring over crafting/sewing website looking for new ideas and inspirations. For 2013 I want to expand and have a nice flow of handmade bags to join the dolls and softies. This tote bag was the first bag I made.

[caption id="attachment_159" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The beginnings. Look how the grey/silver taffeta compliments the grey of the fabric on the right.[/caption]

The fabric I used for this was a medium/heavy upholstery weight fabric with a taffeta lining. The buttons on the side were lovely vintage buttons from my late mother-in-law's tin.

[caption id="attachment_160" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The search for the right lining was a long task. I have mixed feelings about taffeta but this just lends itself so well to the design.[/caption]

The original design for this bag is by Alicia Thommas and Liz Johnson (s4h) and was designed to be carried by straps held on by buttons/button holes. Since the sewing machine I used for this was a four stitch machine (so no button hole ability), I stitched the straps on.

[caption id="attachment_162" align="aligncenter" width="608"] Vintage buttons really sells this retro tote bag[/caption]

Upon finishing this bag I have to admit, I was impressed. This bag has to go into the Binky Roo collection. This design is retro and stylish with a double pocket inside and out - the inner pocket stitched to hold a mobile phone and a small notebook/diary.

This is the first of two bags of this design I will be uploading on here. Keep an eye peeled for a detailed post for a designer tote - Nevermore - Michael Miller Fabrics. It's goth, it's lush, it's unique...

[caption id="attachment_163" align="aligncenter" width="583"] The final bag showing the fussy cut detail of the external pocket with handmade frill[/caption]

Felt Craft - Cute Bags

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I hadn't forgotten about you all, I had been on a crafting frenzy throughout December ready for Christmas but, of course, could not upload the creations until after Christmas. So here is the first of several special Christmas posts.

If you have been following my blog you will know I recommend Felt Friends from Japan: 86 Super-cute Toys and Accessories to Make Yourself by Naomi Tabatha. These bags are one of the 86 projects in the book.

You will need:
Felt Template from Felt Friends from Japan by Naomi Tabatha
Wool Felt for the Bag (sizes needed in the book)
Felt for the applique
Matching Floss
Needle
Scissors

[caption id="attachment_140" align="aligncenter" width="583"] Little Girl and Flower Felt Bag[/caption]

I have eight nieces and nephews on my side of the family and I like to make things for them if I can. I desperately wanted to make two of my younger nieces one of these bags - I had wanted to make one 'just because' but since I have no room I have to often find people I can give some of my experimental crafts too. If you saw our house and how packed it was with stuff we love you would see why.

[caption id="attachment_143" align="aligncenter" width="364"] Attaching a little handmade lable inside will let others know you took the time to make something special[/caption]

The little girl bag took a long time to put together. The applique was fiddly as I had made a smaller bag size than the one recommended for this design. I sewed each section on the bag separately as I didn't want to keep changing thread as I got to the next colour felt.

[caption id="attachment_142" align="aligncenter" width="583"] Felt Cats on Hot Pink Bag.[/caption]

Much to my surprise, the cat applique was my favourite. Against the hot pink of the bag and the easiness of the applique, it made for relaxing sewing. I would happily do this one again.

[caption id="attachment_141" align="aligncenter" width="576"] The two felt bags together[/caption]

Rating:-
Design: Felt Template from Felt Friends from Japan by Naomi Tabatha
Level: Beginner/Intermediate (The bag and cat applique are great for beginners - there are more designs to choose from too. The little girl applique is more for intermediate felt crafters)
Additional: Becareful of the thickness of the felt for the actual bag. Wool felt that is too thin will just pull apart, especially when tying the knots around the bag.

Custom Dolly - Sweet Angie

EIGHT more sleeps! It's funny how once you have a child you start to count the sleeps until an event. This event, of course, is Christmas! It never used to be a favourite time of the year. In fact, only five or so years ago I would have quite happily held my hands up and said I was the female version of Scrooge. Since meeting my husband Christmas is special again. My lack of posts has not been due to a lack of making, quite the opposite - I haven't stopped! However, these are Christmas presents and therefore have to remain secret until the big day - I wouldn't want to give away the surprises I have made.

Sweet Angie, the Christmas tree angel
On the top of the tippy, tippy top of the tree
~ Andrews Sisters

Sweet Angie the Christmas Tree Angel - snug in her cape

I can show you Sweet Angie though. After completing all the Christmas surprises I decided to make me something - something I rarely do. Our Christmas tree was erected on December 5 - earlier than normal. Since my gothic doll, Nancy, I've been obsessed with making dolls and softies using Sarah's 'Dolls and Daydreams' patterns. Sarah had been 'sharing' photos of dollies made by other crafters on her facebook page. The little red riding hood doll was appearing to be a very good pattern to adapt into a Christmas doll.

Whilst I was finishing up a couple of dolls/softies my husband had sent me a file of Christmas music - well a file of files which were labeled with different genres etc. There was one called '40s' and in there was the Andrews Sisters - Christmas Tree Angel. I fell madly in love. The song and the photos on Sarah's page inspired me to make my own Sweet Angie.

She's about 2/3 of the original size with a reversible cape.

[caption id="attachment_132" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Sweet Angie in her Faux Fur Clock[/caption]

FABRICS:
Ivory Matt Satin
Ivory Shimmer Organza with Butterfly Motif

Faux Fur - Short Hair Curly Red
Beige Polycotton
Brown Felt

I used a plain beige polycotton (doubled) for the head, arms, and legs, and felt for the hair. For her body/dress I used a matt satin layered with the organza, and finished off with the reversible cape using both the matt satin and the curly faux fur. Finally she was stuffed using hypo-allergenic poly-stuffing.

[caption id="attachment_133" align="aligncenter" width="575"] '...on the top of the tippy tippy top of the tree'[/caption]

Sarah's patterns are all lovely and there is a lot of flexability and room for customisation. With Sweet Angie I embroidered her face and name. The font heavily inspired by the Crazy Girlz font. Angie will now be part of our family Christmas tradition - pulled out once a year to sit on the top of the Christmas tree and to protect the gifts below.