I am addicted to making bags!

I am so excited about making bags!  The first one I made was the "Day in the Park Backpack Tote" and the second is the "Mischievous Gnome Messenger Bag"  I made each in about one night, and am SOOOOO pleased with them! The backpack tote has an interior patch pocket with three compartments and an interior zipper pocket (not nearly as hard as I thought!) and the messenger bag has an interior zipper pocket as well.  They both have exterior pockets and all are lined with alternating fabrics!






I have already ordered more of the leaf print fabric (which is 40% Bamboo!) but in the yellow and white to make another bag!

Really great fabric choices.  I've had my eye on the Messenger Bag for awhile and I love the polka dot lining you did.  Great job!

The messenger bag was SUPER simple to make.  I would change the way the back pocket is made though.  You can't see it in my pictures.  It is similar to the front pocket but shorter.  However, when you sew it all together and get it turned and make the box corners for the bottom, the pocket is TOO short and unusable.  I would say the finished height of the pocket is maybe 3 inches??  I don't think I did the decorative trim right for the tops of them, the directions where really confusing on that.  Perhaps the trim is supposed to add more height to the pocket... I don't know.

Those are beautiful!  Love the fabrics. Enjoy!
Stacey

They are so pretty!! What is your trick for getting it so nice & smooth around your zippered pocket?
I really love them both.

The directions for the zippered pocket on the Backpack tote were great, and I used them for both the bags.  But I also followed a tutorial that was posted on the blog somewhere that suggested using 1/4 inch steam a seam tape to help you hold the zipper in place while you sew around the opening.  As for it being smooth... I just trim VERY carefully, and use the iron patiently.  The tutorial to look at that can be found here:
http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2007/02/zippered_inner_.html

She also has great tutorials for all kinds of bag related things!

Thats a great tutorial & I used it for my first zipper pocket which turned out very nice but just a little bit too bunched on each short end. I'm guessing that I didn't clip close enough to the corners. I ironed & ironed it too.

Love your fabric choices!
Guess i should have used a tutorial when i attempted a zippered pocket- yours came out great.

Those are really great bags!  I've been wanting to try that messenger bag pattern.  I have it...just haven't made it yet.  I love the fabrics that you used, too.  Thanks for all of the information on how you made your bags.

those are awesome bags! super cute.

Love your bags!!  Do you use an interlining and if so, what material?

Thanks!

Helen

Oh wow I LOVE the leaf fabric - you are so talented.  I love these bags!!!

beautiful! i am additcted to bag making too so fun!

I love that leaf fabric.  :-)

Great bags, I love your fabric choices