Our kids are back in school from a week ago, and we are back into our normal (crazy) mode...
Over the summer, our girls asked us to buy them new backpacks and/or messenger bags for the new school year in fall, but I really don't like the idea of buying more school bags unless their old stuff are in really bad shape (and they aren't).
So, instead of buing new school bags for our girls, I decided to make one. This messenger bag was an requested item by my eight year old daughter.
For the outer bag, my daughter selected this *glittery* pink fabric with her favorite "peace" signs on it.
The bag matches with the previously made lunch bags that our girls take to school every day.
As with the lunch bags, I didn't have a pattern for this messenger bag, so I started with making my own pattern using old newspapers... I tried to make a bag that is large enough to hold a three hole binder inside.
Making this bag required many small bits and pieces of pockets and handles that I had to create and sew together (all based on my daughter's request). And to meet with all of the (customer) requests was a huge challenge for the mama!
Anyways, the bag has velcro opening on the flap...
A pocket to hold water bottle is sewn on to one side of the bag...
Inside the bag is a large zipper "sewn-in" pocket to hold small belongings such as erasers and hair pins...
More pockets to hold pencils and stuff on the inside of the bag flap...
The lining is light blue cotton duck canvas to add sturdiness...
Cotton webbing (in pink here) is used for the bag handle that is sewn between the bag flap and the back side of the outer bag...
I borrowed a black shoulder straps from my hubby's old messenger bag to use for this bag. Well at least I didn't have to sew this one... Phew!
All parts were being prepared and ready to be sewn together into one bag...
And here's the finished bag.
I know, the bag is too big for our 3rd grader, but that's okay, because I want her to use this bag over the next few years (and not few months)!
So... after spending almost a full day Sunday (of last Labor day weekend) to finish this bag from scratch, my opinion is that it was a lot quicker, and even cheaper to go out there and buy one of these kids' messenger bags at our local discount stores... I mean, I was shocked to see some of these kids bags from JC Penny (on sale for only $8.99!) or this one from Target for $14.99 online!
But, our daughter seems very happy carrying around the bag that her mama had made for her, so I shouldn't be complaining any more... I just hope that my older daughter will not ask me to make another one like this over this weekend! \*o*/
Thanks for stopping by and hope you continue to enjoy your week :)
But, our daughter seems very happy carrying around the bag that her mama had made for her, so I shouldn't be complaining any more... I just hope that my older daughter will not ask me to make another one like this over this weekend! \*o*/
Thanks for stopping by and hope you continue to enjoy your week :)
7 comments:
スっ、スゴイ!Amyさん、かなりレベルアップしてますね！
この大きなメッセンジャーバックを作るの、相当大変だったと思います。ジッパーポケットやら、かなり市販品に近いですよねー。素晴らしい!ガールズには是非、ボロボロになるまで使い込んでもらいたい！お疲れ様でした。Ｇｏｏｄ Ｊｏｂ！
cocostitchさん、いつもコメありがとう♪
このバッグは、ほんっとに作るのが大変でした～。今までで一番面倒な作品だったと思う…。一日がかりで、ああでもない、こうでもない、とミシンの前で独り言を言いながら仕上げたのですが、かかった時間＆労力を考えると市販品を買ったほうが断然お得でした、間違いなく！でも、良い脳トレにはなったはず（笑）！
the bag looks great & functional! I have never used newspaper as templates. Too many words on template makes me confused!=P
Hi Wynn - Using newspapers as templates is economical and handy, but the down side is that they make my hands messy :( Also, I tend to read articles on the paper while creating templates and tend to get carried away! lol
The bag looks great. Such a good idea to use old newspaper as templates.I remember one of my retired colleague told me she used old newspaper to draw her paper pattern when making clothing.Sometimes I used old calender to draw my paper pattern. :)
Ａｍｙさんオリジナルのこのバック、すっごいかわいいし愛情たっぷりで多目的に使えそうで、本当にラッキーなガールズですね♪♪♪ でも作品が完成した後に、あー買った方が良かったーって思う気持ち、すっごいすっごい分かります（笑）！前にショーツを旦那に作ったのですが、一日中かかったし布代も市販のショーツの３倍はしました（汗）。一体何のために作ってるんだろうと考えてしまいましたが、実際に使ってもらってるところをみると、It was worth it!と思えるようになりました。Ａｍｙさんのバックなんてもっともっとcomplicatedだからとても大変だったの分かりますが、ガールズが楽しくバックを使っているのを見たらウキウキですね♪
PY - It's so nice to receive compliments from an experienced and skilled sewist like yourself, PY! And speaking of paper patterns, besides newspapers, so far I've used old calendars, breakfast cereal boxes, our kids' school flyers, and you name it! I'll use any kind of papers to be eco-friendly ;)
ayumills - 嬉しいコメントありがとうございます♪ あゆみさんでも、「自分で縫うより買ったほうが良かった経験」をされてると聞いて安心するやら、面白いやら（笑）！でも本当におっしゃる通りで、たとえ手作りした方が＄＄高くついたとしても（汗）、頑張って作った品を使ってもらえたら苦労はふきとびますね！
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