Recycled Denim and Patchwork Backpack

Made for a commission, I've been wanting to have a go at a backpack for a while. I'm pleased with the result!

The pockets and top flap were the fiddliest bits, making up the patchwork and doing the quilting,but it was worth it for the finished look.

I couldn't find any buttons that suited the colour and style so had a go at self cover buttons. I also couldn't find any cord stops to suit so I made little fabric bobbles to cover the knots. And I got to play with eyelets!

The base is spotty oilcloth for protection against dirty floors.

I wasn't keen on plain polyester webbing and managed to find some cushion web on ebay. It's used to make horse headcollars and lead reins and is much softer and more comfortable in the hand than plain webbing.

Fully lined with a zipped internal pocket (recycled jeans zip!)

All the fabric was recycled - jeans, a tablecloth, a pair of curtains and a few offcuts.

I took these pics before I'd added the clasp. It took me a while to find what I wanted - I'd never heard of a Norwegian Clasp! But thats what I needed!

It just finishes it off perfectly!
This is going to be my next one. I bought a jelly roll of these gorgeous olive greens and plums. The whole thing will be patchworked - these are the pocket pieces, quilted with gold thread!
I have a nice piece of soft leather that I plan to use for the base. I might have to keep this one for myself!

Monsoon Snowy bag

Another snowy bag - Monsoon (made from repurposed fabric from a company of the same name!) This bag is in a lovely soft turquoise/teal tweed fabric comprising wool, silk and cotton.


Fastened with a teal button and hand finished with a subtle line of beads and sequins.
Lining is teal satin. Three internal pockets.

Blue Rose Jean Genie

I've not been able to do much sewing lately - busy with the boys and the allotment.

But my friend wanted a Jean Genie so it was good to have to make some time to sit and sew again. This one is a pretty combination of stonewashed Levis and vintage chintz.

And I finally had some proper labels done, so this is the first 'designer' label!

I also realised it's the first to be made on my new machine. I am pleased to say it coped admirably with all the layers of denim! My last machine really struggled with these bags. Can't wait to do some more now!

Indian Summer - £15

Made from 100% recycled fabric, this is a roomy tote bag with a flourish! Outer is cerulean blue cotton sateen decorated with crocheted coppper flowers.

The interior is plain cream cotton, with two pockets edged with contrasting blue embroidery.

Dimensions - handles 27", 11" deep x 17" wide, generous 7" wide gusset makes this a surprisingly roomy bag.

Spotty Cockerels Mixer Cover - £12

Cover suitable for a Kenwood Chef mixer or sewing machine.

Fabulous blue background featuring funky spotted, dancing cockerels.

Again the picture doesn't do the colour justice, the blue is much richer in real life! Lined with plain cream, recycled fabric.

22" wide x 16" deep.

Blue Chrysanthemum - SOLD

Bargello Bags - £15

These bags have been made in the style of a Bargello quilt, using strips of colour that are sewn together then recut and the colours rearranged to give a fluid, shaded effect. There is one in shades of blue with hints of lemon, pink and jade; the other is in subtle stormy shades of lilac, grey, blue and dusky pink.

Both made from 100% recycled fabrics, the blue one has a plain cornflower blue lining and the lilac one a white and lilac floral lining.

16" x 16", the lilac has a shoulder strap while the blue has a shorter length strap.

Blue Bargello - SOLD

Aztecca - £10

Aztecca is a roomy shoulder bag with a button tab closure. Lined in plain cream, no pockets, 17" wide x 13" deep. Extra long handles can be worn on the shoulder or across the body.

Colour is a deep blue with patterns in red, russet, green and gold. Dry clean only.

The daylight makes it look a bit washed out!

This bag can also be made up with internal pockets for £15.