VINTAGE INSPIRED TOTE BAG

Interior having zipper pocket,bottle holder, key bunch holder etc..my new linen mobile pouch with rose flap can be seen lying at the bottom..
Back Side of the bag
The bird panel

A closer view of the bird panel highlighted with stem stitch and beads.Single strand for the body and double strands for the leaves and tail feathers.
Bottom side of the bag I had some vintage checkerd fabric with me with which I wanted to sew something that would be cherished forever..I had madly fallen in love with a bird panelled fabric I had purchased from my fav textile shop waiting to occupy the focal point of some vintage project.. I cut out the panels and started planning to attach them to various projects like cushion covers and finally for a change on this bag which I had decided to sew with the checkerd fabric.. The panels for both the sides were made slightly stiff using light interfacing and then attached to the center using simple machine zigzag.The lace on the top and bottom edges of the panel had a vintage look which I found to be pleasantly coordinating with the colour scheme.The bird and the leaves were then highlighted using simple stem stitch all along the body and tail feathers..A few beads adorn the crown on the panel.

The interior has plenty of pockets, this time a little too deeper than the usual size.. Plus a bottle holder, key bunch/mobile pouch holder and zippered pocket..The bag is with a top zipper which was my first attempt ..The tute I followed was simple enough and well illustrated..http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=85354.0 But I went wrong on a few things..I should have cut the interfacing and batting a few cms smaller than the outer and inner fabric..Mine were as big as the size of the fabrics ..This made me have a tough time ,with the sewing of the upper edges of the outer and lining fabrics at the top,due to bulk..Top zipper panels had to be sewed onto the lining fabric before attaching the lining to the outer one...Hence the extra thickness on the lining top edge..For my previous bags I used to follow another method that is commonly referred to as the birthing method:) for which this much thickness never used to creat any problem while assembling .But in this method for this top zippered bag,too many layers were to be sewed together.So I should have taken care to avoid extra bulk...Result?I broke two of my machine needles and a lot of seam picking and re sewing!! Finally, some how managed to finish it and ......heaved a deep sigh..humm!!..

The narrow sides of both the front and back sides have been quilted to make the bag sturdier..

Anyway am quite happy with the first attempt on top zippered bag even though I had hell of a time with the last step ...

Friends thank you all millions for taking a few moments of your precious time for visiting my blog and posting such lovely and encouraging comments!!Hope you will get inspired too..

Until next time
Happy sewing moments!

Warmest regards ,Mini