Shelley Made: The Emma Bag - Using Personalised Fabric

Thursday 22 March 2012

The Emma Bag - Using Personalised Fabric

I made a bag for my daughter's birthday using the Katybag pattern from the very talented LiEr of iKatbag.  She liked it so much, I decided to make one for my niece for her upcoming birthday.  What 3 year old doesn't need their own little handbag :)

It measures about 6.5" wide by about 10" tall (including the strap) - so just right for a wee girl.


I'm really pleased with how it has turned out...I finished it late last night. 


I used my own fabric designs - an allover Emma print with a little daisy, and a coordinating one that was just the daisies.  The best part - the entire bag (both sides!) only needs a fat quarter of linen-cotton fabric! 



I even had a little over to make a matching coin/what-have-you purse.





The resulting actual fabric looked like this:



It's fully lined, and has a magnetic clasp - making it easy for little hands (and no so little ones!).

I love the piping detail, and it's not too frightening once you get the hang of it - in fact, I think I'm going to pipe a LOT more now.





As far as the construction went - pretty straightforward (sorry for the night time shots - it's the only time I get to sew with preschoolers!):

Cut out and interface the pieces...


Add the piping

Add the clasp and sew up the outer and inner bags.


Then put it all together



To look like this :)




Let's hope she likes it!

UPDATE:  I've had a few people contact me asking if they can get the fabric I used in their own name.  Yes you can - on my online store http://shop.shelleymade.com.

10 comments:

  1. Shelley, it is GORGEOUS! That fabric is out of this world! I have to check out spoonflower soon, I've heard so many good things about it. And I am so glad you enjoyed the piping bit and that it began to feel easier (and addictive) after a while. Yay! But back to your bag - it is so cute - the shade of blue, the daisies, the Emma font - everything! Perfect, just perfect! OK, I'll stop gushing now and go to bed. Thank YOU for inviting me over to see this! It made my night!

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    1. Yay! Thanks so much for dropping by LiEr and so glad you liked it! I love your pattern and I'm sure I'll be using it again soon :)

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  2. Oh, my gosh, this is absolutely ADORABLE!!!! I've heard about spoonflower before but haven't checked them out recently. i LOVE the name fabric for this little purse (and for the other projects you've made). Emma is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!! You are SO creative!!! i wish you had a link for Pinterest because i'd LOVE to pin many of your projects!!! you do beautiful work!

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  3. wow what a cool design of this bag!! totally fantastic look ever!!

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  4. Adorable little bag! I am tempted to go over to iKatbag to get the pattern! Hmm, but would you say this bag is suitable for a novice in sewing? ;)

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    1. Thanks Kris! I had never sewn a bag, nor done any piping before this project. The instructions are very clear - I would say give it a go!

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  5. You're really making me tempted to get the pattern immediately! Hope my experience with the katybag will be as fine! :D

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