Bella Dia

Road Trip Bag a.k.a. The Big Bag

Well, we're leaving this weekend for a 3 week road trip and I needed a big bag to take with me. I wanted it to sit on the seat next to me and be able to hold the books, magazines, projects, and of course regular purse stuff that I take with me. I don't know when I'll have time to read or do any projects but it's a comfort to have it with me anyway, just in case :)

The fabric is actually several kitchen towels that I got at Kmart specifically to use for a bag; I really loved the print and colors and couldn't pass them up, especially when the price is 5 towels for $4! I embroidered a few details on the pink flowers. I used fusible fleece again for the interfacing which makes it stand on its own but is still soft. The handle has fleece too and I machine stitched some ribbing on it. I put the apple in the picture so you could get an idea of how big it is. It'll be perfect to use for the pool later this summer.

The interior is light brown ticking and there are muslin pockets on both sides of the bag - I love lots of pockets! When I get back I'll draw up the pattern and I'll make a smaller version too. I'm quite smitten with the profile of this bag.

Fabric!

Look at all these great fabrics that I got for $1 a yard! Isn't it amazing how exciting a good fabric deal can be? ;)

Back to Business

Sorry for the lack of posts, these past few days have been really busy. My daughter had her 13th birthday and we celebrated with a 60's themed party. It was lots of fun but it's a little rattling that your youth is now an icon of the past, just doesn't seem that long ago. Her big present was an iPod mini in pink. She's really into music so she loved it :) She also has a dance performance coming up and my part as a parent helper was to help with sewing tutus. Tulle is not much fun to work with let me tell you. We've been getting a lot of rain, or more than we usually do, which helps allay the guilt I have for not working in the yard, and good for keeping me working on house stuff and projects that have been set aside.

I made this little clutch bag from an assortment of fabric that includes some vintage feedsack material. I want to make another one soon and write down how I did it or I'll forget. I keep a black spiral bound sewing journal where I write down tutorials for myself with reminders and tips to remember. I'll scan in some pictures some time.

I did the embroidery on this bag quite awhile ago so it was one of my projects that needed to be finished. I had originally planned to make it a zipper pouch but I love the combination of the blue ticking with the floral so I made it into a market tote instead. It's kind of long and narrow, about 9 1/2" wide and 12 1/2" tall. The straps are extra long too so it can be worn across the chest. It's fairly stiff, I used fusible fleece for the facing and strap, which make it cushy and comfortable.

Here's a close-up view.

The inside has a muslin lining and a large inner pocket that closes with a zipper. Muslin is such a nice fabric; I love the weight and color and the little flubs, I even like saying the name - muslin :)