Patchwork bag

Never enough bags and purses. Designers' ones are too expensive for me, so occasionally I make them myself. This one is made by the pattern of Marcy Tilton I bought on Vogue patterns (this is not any advertising post). Used fabric scraps I found at home to play a little (it was realy fun) and add vibrancy to the bag.


Some more photos of the bag:

And this is the original:

Tips I learned making the patchwork bag

I used different fabric for the bag and, although I followed the instructions, the bottom didn't stay flat when caring the bag - had to put plastic (cut of the old plastic file)  under the lining to 'fasten' it.

Vogue patterns are different compared to Burda patterns, so read the instructions. main difference is that Burda patterns are drawn with the sewing lines while on the Vogue pattern you have 'cutting' line (with the seam allowance already included) and the sewing line. I have to say, Burda pattern is more suitable for me.

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Alter Christmas door wreath

Holidays season is coming, time to wrap up the year (again, so soon), decorate home, make/buy gifts, bake cookies, hang  Christmas wreath on a door. Could it be a little bit different this year? Something original, upcycled, funny? I found some very awesome wreath on the net, see if you could use the idea.

This ideas I found here. I love the ties wreath, as tie originally comes from Croatia.

For this minimalistic wreath made from toilet paper roles, you can find tutorial how to make wreath.

This one is made from straw.

Easy to make, but very effective. Love it (found here.)

With the combination of various colors, this wreath is suitable for all seasons. Learn how to make it, it is fun.

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Don't throw away driftwood

Being a Mediterranean country, boats  are part of our tradition and driftwood art is becoming more popular every day. I just love it. It reminds me on the summer and seaside in these rainy November days. And above all, it is good to remember that the world around us  should be seen from different angles.
All art & craft on photos are made by Croatian artists or crafters. Enjoy!

These two boats are work of Tatjana Tekovic.

Driftwood place

Another lovely boat.

This is atelier of the Sedam metara kvadratnih, small workshop.

For this interesting necklace you can see tutorial.

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Something new for gift wrapping

OK, it might not be so new, but it is so simple, yet so nice, and there are endless variations. New Year is near and it is time to start thinking about gifts fo our love ones. Ant it is never just about buying and shopping, but how to make these moments solemn. Wrapping gift is as important to me as chosing the gift. I found this very easy yet very clever way of gift wrapping and made small tut to share it.

Tutorial how to make gifts box

Make a pattern: draw half a circle and add 1 cm of lenght. Size of the circle (and the box) depends on the gift.

Put the pattern on the paper and cut the four such pieces. Cut the square with the size of the circle diameter.

Bottom of the box (outer)

Inner side of the box

Glue this half circles on the square bottom.

Fold the 'petals' one under the previous (las one under the first one).

Take paper tape and glue it (not to the box, but two tape ends together).

Now it's the time to add string, other tapes, decorations.

Or, you can personalize yout own paper. Or, my favourite, recycle journals or newspapers.

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Trolley shopping bag - something old, something new

My weekly ritual is visit to the green market where local farmers sell their product. I am going there for years and built a relationship with some of them. I know where to buy fresh cheese, who has the best carrot or potato, who's products are organic. And always buy over 1o kilograms, it's too heavy for me to carry bags. Trolley shopping bag is marvelous invention, I've been using it  more than 20 years. On the old one bag became worn out, metal construction was still good. And I decided to sew something original, and the bag that will match my requirements. This is the result, I am very pleased with the result (and that is not the case with all my projects). Here is the tutorial how I made it.

Trolley shopping bag DIY tutorial

Material:

- old jeans (I bought two pairs in second hand shop for 3,5 $)

 - leftover fabric
- eco leather (decided to buy it later on)

From back part of the jeans legs made front of the trolley.

Another trousers used for the back side.

This stripped fabric I used for the sides. The upper edge I strengthened with the nonwoven and two layers of the fabric.

I need big inner pocket of the shopping bag (this I couldn't find in any bag I could buy). So, I used jeans as well for the base and sewed original pocket to be used as one pocket and stripped fabric for another one. 

Stripped fabric fastened on the base together with the zipper (see photo).

For the lower end of the pocket I made a pleat, to be able to put in more things.

For the bottom of the bag decided to use eco leather. First pinned it, then hand stitched and finally sewed (twice, to be firm).

The original bag was made of synthetic material. Jeans is rather soft and heavy and the back side was not standing upright. Wire frame from the old bag I used to fasten the  front side. For the back side had several options and decided to make insert from the fabric and sponge and input the cardboard. 

Finally, used   eco leather to make the cap. Added some details in the meantime.

My trolley shopping bag :

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Fabric pumpkin

Photo taken from this site.

I am obsessed with pumpkins, can't help it. For those preferring to sew and not to carve or paint, here are some examples of fabric pumpkins and tuts how to make them.

How to make fabric pumpkin

On this site you can find detailed tut how to make this gorgeous pumpkins. Although, according to the tut, genuine stems are used, I think some wooden twig will do as well.

one very easy to make

These are really funny and original, remind me on Cinderella's carriage. If you like them, go to the thecottagemama.com .

This is one very easy to make pumpkin.

And if you prefer paper, this is project for you.

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