Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Keeper or Throw it back?

I had this idea....I need a bag that I could throw my ipad in and my wallet and go.  That meant it needed to be tall and thin (kinda how I wish my body was!!).

So....yesterday I signed up for a Siggy Swap and as I was reading the instructions it gave me an idea using a Jelly Roll Honey Bun for my bag.   Honey Buns are strips of fabric already cut 2 1/2 x 40 something.
By using a Honey Bun that eliminated me having to cut the fabric.   Since it was storming last night I decided to get started with my idea.   Except after I was done.....I'm not sure I like it.  I love the fabric choice.   The Hushabye line is just beautiful and I couldn't resist using it on a bag for me!!

I'm going to show you the pictures and you tell me what you think.

So, is it a keeper or do I throw it back?   I think the bag is too long...the ruffle is too short.  I have a new idea....use the jelly roll for 1/2 of the bag and use squares for the other half.  Not sure how it will work out but it's worth a try.  Or my other option is I could make some flowers using some of the Big Shot Dies and attach them to the purse.  That might break up the long strips.
What do you think?

I made the ruffle small this time because I wanted to see if I could use the Honey Bun strip for it.  I'll ditch that idea for this bag. I say you don't know til you try it :)

See ya,
Pin It!

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the bag very much, but I also would like to see the half stripes and half squares, go for it. I love the fabric!

Elizabeth Bracco said...

A big fluffy white flower right in the middle front of the bag and you will be one stylin' chic. ;) Love it! I am getting an ipad soon and was wondering how to carry it. Thanx for the idea.

mindy gray said...

LOVE IT!!! I think your bag is beautiful. It would be cute with a flower on it.

Kathy E. said...

I think it's beautiful!! I would love to see it too with a flower on it but, other than that, I think it's perfect.

Penny said...

I like it. I have several jelly rolls, I'm a collector of pretty fabric, and haven't used them. Great idea! I sure hope you make a video of this bag.

MuseMyWorld said...

A keeper for sure! I love the stripes. A big, lavish fabric flower would look great, but my suggestion would be to use the same fabric as the bag (several layers) and position it on the bottom right.

Kristine said...

I actually like the size of the ruffle...it's kind of understated. I would love to see it in half stripes and half solid with a big flower for embellishment. :)

Lesa said...

I really like the bag. I also like the shorter ruffle. For me I say no flower. I like it just the way it is.
I watched your video about making a purse and you inspired me to make one, well four!!! I do not sew and have always wanted to. I was very suprised how easy you made it by your by step directions. Also how nice they turned out.
Where do you get your fabric?
Thanks for all your information!!!
Lesa

jane said...

I like the bag. If you still wanted to use the jelly roll for the ruffle, you could narrowly hem one edge or seam two pieces together, right sides together, turn and press having seam at top edge of ruffle...do I make any sense? Keep up the great ideas.

karen said...

I love it just like it is. I would also love for you to try the half & half idea. The ruffle is perfect. Flower or not of flower, it's up to you. Are you going to ever wash it? Will the flower wash?

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT!!! I like the long handles as I'm tall and have problems finding a bag with handles that fit comfortably. mmmmm....after my son graduates this weekend and his party the next...I may have to break out my sewing machine. Where again in Olathe do you get your fabric?? I live just up Pflumm from you.

Elaine Wilson said...

I think it is just perfect. Absolutely love the fabric. Sometimes we are own worst critics. I think it will grow on you!

Julie said...

I REALLY LIKE IT BUT THINK A FLOWER WOULD BE NICE.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Maybe add a flower but don't change what you've done! It's a KEEPER!!

Marilyn said...

I love it too! Love the color and size but I flower would also be very pretty on it.

Gina said...

If you don't want it.............I do. I think it's gorgeous!!!

Priscilla said...

Love the bag! Don't change a thing just load it up and go. If you want to try a slight variation next time, that's fine but leave this one alone.

Jamie Adcock said...

Def. a keeper!

MaryAnn Grove said...

Hey Angie, throw it my way. what a clever idea. gonna have to go look for some of the jelly rolls. Going to have to pull that sewing machine out of storage. thanks for the inspiration. MaryAnn

Lisa C said...

I love it! You are one talented woman! If the long strips still bother you, maybe appliquing Chic 'n Scratch, your name, flowers or something on the front/back like you suggested. It would break up the longness of it. great way to market your business as you go about your day, iPad and wallet in hand inside your cool tote!

Carolyn P. said...

This is a great purse, I like the colours of the fabrics, but I agree with you that something's not quite there. Maybe a larger ruffle that went down about 1/3 of the bag. Or a flower-shaped pocket (for cell phone) on the outside.

Anonymous said...

Love it, keep it! It just makes you feel happy looking at it and I'm sure will have more uses that what you want it for. I'd definitely say it's a keeper.....LindaAv

Anonymous said...

i think it's great. love the colours, and the ruffle is perfect for the long lean look. a flower would definitely break it up.
fun, fun, fun.
laura huffman

Becky said...

I like the new purse but I think that flowers scatter around would look cute. I have a question. Do you ever put pockets on the outside or inside of you rag purses or any purse you make? Becky

Anonymous said...

Definitely a keeper. I actually like the short ruffle too. I found a sewing catalog that I think you might like, it has some of the most unique items and fabrics.

http://www.clotilde.com/

Michelle Johnston said...

I think the bag is super cute. But I think you can still make it work for you. I would add a pocket in the front and a pocket in a side for a water bottle. That might break up the longness that you are seeing.

Anonymous said...

I think you should THROW IT AWAY!!! Straight to me, that is! Love it. The only thing I would say to do to it is whatever makes it click with you since you will be the one carrying it. If you don't want to carry this one, maybe give it away on your blog as one of your prizes (since so many have commented that they like it). Then that will give you the chance to make another just the way you like it. I DEFINITELY hope you will be doing a video on this one, too! I'm anxiously awaiting my sewing machine so I can make the other one you showed us how to make. Thanks for all you do!

Wendy said...

Love the bag but I think you should add the flowers! The fabric is adorable and I love the ruffles at the top. If you do decide to ditch the bag send it my way.

Jacqui said...

I LOVE the bag, I think a few flowers would love beautiful on it!
Worse comes to worse you can always raffle it among your fans ;-)
---Jacqui

Linda said...

I absolutely love it just the way it is. I hope there is a video tutorial in the near future for this keeper!!

If you decide to make another one, can I send you my address? :)

The Gaertegang Homestead said...

I vote keeper for sure. I agree with you that is might be tad to long (deep). I hate having to dig to much in bag...maybe that is just me though. LOVE the fabric, and all the yummy fabrics you shared in an earlier post. I am thinking of getting my Hubby an Ipad for Father's Day what is your opinion on them? Worth it to get one? Thanks for all you share on you videos and blog....a true source of constant inspiration and encouragement to try new things!

Anonymous said...

I love it just the way it is! I love the stripes. I think the shorter ruffle is just right. Would be cute with a flower, but I'm a purist, it's a keeper.
Kathy T in SW IN

Mary said...

A flower would be a nice addition to your bag. I'm not much of a ruffle person myself. Oh, I did see a ruffle(s) on a purse just today, it was in the shape of a big round flower on the side of the purse, with four outer layers (ruffles) with two tight ones in the center. They were the same color as the purse, very cute!

Anonymous said...

This is too cute! I don't think it's too long! :)

Michele said...

It is a little long but it depends on what you want to put in it.
My first thought when I saw it is that it need something to break up the long stripes. So flowers out of the same material would be amazing!
LOVE the fabric, patterns and colors..

Tammy said...

I agree it looks a little long...but I'm with those that suggest adding a flower or flowers, I think that would break it up nicely.

AShu93 said...

I think it looks great the way it is. I like the length of the ruffle & don't think it's too tall at all. A bigger ruffle might be too floppy.

A Kircher said...

I love your new bag! The ruffle is just right at the top - this size won't flop down or get in your way when you are putting things in or out of your purse. Also - the long stripes look great! Don't change a thing! but you could try a flower and see how that looks. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love it! would u be willing to make a video of how to do it?

Jeannie said...

I prefer the small ruffle myself. You've made a very pretty practical purse for yourself or a gift! You are very talented as someone else has already said.

Valentina said...

I think that this bag is a great size. Very pretty and I hope to post a video, would be great!
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love the bag, I personally am not a fan of the ruffle. I like the stripes and the color is nice. Keep up the great work.

Mayra Rodriguez said...

Def.. A keeper, I'm really not a big fan of the ruffles but I will put a zipper on it and have a flower hanging from the zipper as an embelishment. You dont understand how happy I was to see you post something on your sewing blog. Yay way to go Angie.

Laura Howell said...

I love it. I think the ruffle is perfect! If you don't want it I'll take it. LOL.

stressed said...

i love it how it is i would keep it and use it, great job.

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love this bag. Might have to make one. I really like the smaller ruffle. Video please.

Jo (Michigan) said...

LOVE the bag..it's adorable!!!! I'd leave it just as you have it..and nothing wrong with ANYTHING that I can see. KEEP IT!!!

julie said...

can't quite see what you don't like... i love it and am holding myself back from visiting my local quilt shop because I just know I would come home with a bunch! love the bag:)

sherry said...

I think it's a keeper. If you don't like it. you can send it to me!!!!! I'm still in the process of making the first bag you did.(i ordered the tutorial) evrything is cut and pinned but haven't sat down to sew it yet. I need to get my butt in gear.

Sherry

Carol McFarland said...

Are you kidding? It is definitely a keeper! You inspire me! I love your fabric choices every time! THe flower would be darling or even a pocket on the outside!

Unknown said...

It is absolutely awful - you should immediately send it to me in NJ so I can take proper care, I mean steps to dispose of it.

Nancy Patk said...

When did Moda change their name for a "Jelly Roll" to Honey Bun?

Barbara V said...

I may be a bit late here...but that bag is definitely a keeper. Love it!! Great colors, great design. Keep up the good work.

Beverly said...

I'm late too - been out of town. I love the bag and I can't wait to see it with a flower! I do like it just as it is. I would probably use it both ways depending on the person. I love this sewing with the Big Shot. I'm so glad I decided to get one and I'm having so much fun!

Valentina said...

Angie,
The bag is great, just the way it is. I would love to make this bag. Would you provide instructions?

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Barbara said...

Angie, I LIKE the thinner/smaller ruffle on the top. It's not so wide that it overpowers the bag, and with those long stripes I think anything bigger would do that. I love long bags personally, even if one has to dig a bit inside. Without having a zipper closure at the top, the longer bags keep everything from toppling out (for me) whenever I bend over with one on my shoulder, while..shopping for more fabric! I also get around finding things inside by having items grouped into little zippered bags, like the ones you get free with a purchase of makeup, KWIM? I'm sure you could whip out a couple of cuties in similar prints so you could pop them out of this bag, and into another one, and it would still coordinate!

This bag is truly lovely, honestly! If you want to try adding a flower, perhaps consider adding one you can pin on first, like a brooch, just to see IF you really want the extra bit, and move it around to find where you want it (without poking a bunch of holes ). You can always permanently attach it once you've had a chance to test out where you'd really want it.

I say no embellishments, like a flower, but that's me. I think it's absolutely beautiful the way it is, and showcases all the fabric well. : )

Quite a fantastic job my dear! Like everyone else, if you're really not in love with it, shoot, I'm another one who would gladly have you "toss it" my direction. It's a keeper honey!!

Mary Ann Traina said...

Angie, I actually love the tote. I do think the ruffle is a little too short for the size of the bag. Also, honey buns are 1 1/2" and jelly rolls are 2 1/2". I can't believe I'm actually telling you this. All these terms were foreign to me until I started watching your purse videos.