Flexible container anyone?

The Shapely Tote – there is nothing like a lovely round bottom.

So….if you are looking for a bell bottom tote bag that makes a beautiful every day handbag, (and even if you aren’t), look no further.

The major selling feature is there is no hardware required ! Always a massive plus point for me because when I want to make something, it always seems that I don’t have exactly the right components already in my considerable stash, so I have to start shopping around stores and web sites to find the right bits of metalwork.

That of course leads to a massive shopping spree to stock up on any other bits I imagine I may be requiring over the next 6 months (which usually then sit in a drawer for eternity), and also means I cannot make it there and then – and I am a kind of immediate gratification type of girl.

So, one click of the finger, grab your sewing paraphernalia, and away you go.

It is a pretty easy and quick make too. Not many PDF pattern pieces to stick together, and once you have cut everything out it goes together really quickly.

The bag has an inside phone pocket and a large profile stitched outer pocket which has a contrast bound top edge as a style feature.

I used fusible foam inside (Bosal or Annies Soft and Stable) I find the one side fusible foam is by far the best for me; it holds the fabric shape and crispness so much better than sew-in foam and the bag will stand up on its own.  I have been waiting for this product to become commercially available for years (whilst using car headliner in the long interim period)

The bag has a generous gusset, which is pretty easy to attach, and means that the finished tote has lots of room inside for your essentials and even your sandwiches on a day out.

I made this example up in Harris tweed, but it is suitable for most medium weight fabrics including tweeds, denim and medium weight furnishing weight cottons. Did I tell you of my deep love for Harris Tweed. Actually someone from Harris Tweed recently posted on a photo of a Harris Tweed bag on one of my Facebook posts that I had used it the wrong way round – woops, sorry HT – just shows how much I know (Just like John Snow)

Lots of colour photos and comprehensive instructions to walk you through every stage of makeup, and it’s a sew and sell pattern so you are welcome to sell your finished article in small scale.

I just checked the definition of ‘bag’ in the dictionary, and it states – a flexible container with an opening at the top, used for carrying things

Maybe I should change my shop name to FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS ?

Anyway you can get the pattern here:

Happy sewing!