Japanese Knot Bag

I have been meaning to make one of these for months, when I first got the January 2012 issue of 'Making' magazine.  

I have even had the pattern pieces for the shoulder size bag cut out for over a fortnight to give me the added kick up the bum to make it as I think it may be a fairly quick make.  The atrocious UK weather has made me get my act together and what better rainy day project than this?  Especially when I plan on using it on our upcoming holiday to Dorset.  I am just hoping that our 'drought' stricken country will be having some better weather soon...

an action shot...

I have used some camouflage butterfly print cotton for the outside with an oddment of bright turquoise burnout fabric for the lining.  This bag is reversible though which makes is even more of a versatile fun project.  You can have one side slightly more plain and have one side really wild and funky for when   you need to put a smile on your face.


This is a really quick make and probably took me a (leisurely) hour and a half - by which I mean that included drinking a cup of tea and eating a Kit Kat.  I like to enjoy myself totally when sewing!...

And here it is,  the finished article.  Perfect bag for chucking in any bits and bobs, odds and sods, and the way the long handle passes through the short one is genius as it stops any things dropping out.  However,  I would use interfacing on at least one side of the bag to help retain the shape and integrity of the bag.

book, phone, crochet hook, yarn, etc...

Unfortunately, I have discovered to my cost that this is the perfect size for a cross body version for a nearly 5 year old!  It is just the right size for a couple of princesses, a teddy bear, a note book and pen and a tube of Smarties...


When I make this bag again, I think I may make the actual body of the bag slightly larger just to accommodate all the extra odds and sods.  I know the best solution would be not to carry so much crap round but its amazing what you find you need and/or get asked to out in your bag. 


I have imminent plans to make an evening version of the hand bag sized one  - I think a nice black velvet or similarly posh bit of fabric with something a bit wild for the lining.  I can also see the use of sparkly bits on it too and I may also want to slim the handles down a little depending on the fabric choice.  


Right, now for the next item on my sewing to do list....

Bags of fun...

Now I love Cath Kidston bags and fabric designs but I just couldn't justify the hefty price tag for my favourite Print day bag.  I was also amazed that on closer inspection, there were no handy pockets inside - one zipped internal pocket but no mobile phone pocket!  I mean, please!...who wants to be scrabbling around inside a cavernous bag with tons of mummy clutter and totally random things inside, just to have the phone stop ringing the moment your fingers close on the little bugger!


So when I saw this imitation style floral oilcloth bag at a recent craft fair, I couldn't part with my cash fast enough, especially when I found a zipped pocket and not one but two suitable pockets for phone, pens, nail file, etc....


However, after using it a couple of times, I soon discovered that the nasty nylon lining was not user friendly and the mobile pocket was a bit skimpy now all these large touch screen phones are in vogue.   So, cue me and a pair of scissors for a bit of minor surgery...

As I already had a bundle of Cath Kidston fabric, I measured up the bag and cut the fabric for two sides, a gusset and not one , not two but three pockets!!!  And I even made the phone pocket to the exact optimum size..

In under an hour, I had made the new lining, which was essentially two large rectangles as the sides, pockets placed to suit on each side and with one long strip sewn to 3 sides of each of these.  I pressed the top edge to the wrong side around the top and then hand sewed the new lining to the remaining scant edge of the old lining.  I was glad that I had left this as it was the simplest and neatest way in which to attach the new lining without having to go to the lengths of removing and replacing the zip.  I can imagine that oil cloth is a bit of a pain to work with and didn't want to give myself too much work.

As you can see, I now have a totally unique look a like bag that has the added plus of some genuine Cath Kidston fabric in it to boot.  Happy days!!

I can't think of a better way to while away a couple of hours on a sunny spring day while looking after a poorly 4 year old.  We were sharing the table with my (tiny) half with its sewing machine and Faye's (huge!) half covered in playdoh, cutters, rolling pin, etc.   


Now let's just hope that I don't find a chunk of playdoh and a cutter in my new bag.....