Thursday, May 30, 2013

Glutton for Punishment


I spent a good part of Wednesday reworking that tote bag that I wasn't in love with. I had an idea of what I wanted to do with it, but wasn't 100% sure how to carry it out. Once I figured it out though I couldn't wait to get to work. 

Because one time wasn't enough, I made another weekender! Well, sort of. More like a day tripper. 

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I knew that, whatever I did, I wanted to add some kind of sides to it to help make it bigger. I only had so much to work with with those panels and sewing them to each other and creating gussets was taking away too much of them. It hit me at one point that the weekender had exactly that, and I already had that pattern so I didn't have to try to recreate it.

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Problem was, not only were my panels not large enough, I didn't want another weekender. I wanted a purse!  So I copied the pattern at a reduced size, 75% to be exact.


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The panels were a bit too short for that size, but they were wide enough. I couldn't go any smaller or else I would have been chopping them up even more, so I finagled some things a bit and was able to make it work.

As you can see, I used all of the fabric that was already involved in the original tote, complete with it's original pockets. I had to add the sides and a new zipper. I went ahead and added the piping detail too. I wish I had more of the black fabric that I used for the piping though. I wanted it to be where the green fabric is, and for the green to be my piping, but I was determined to use what I had on hand. Fortunately I had the foresight to order extra 18" zippers when I bought the one for the wallet, or I would have been stuck!

I made this little patch a few weeks back, just a little reminder to myself. I had to include it somewhere.

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The wallet still looks too large for the bag.

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But pictures can be deceiving!!

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Here it is next to it's original counterpart. 

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If I were to do it again, or had set out to make it this way in the beginning, I think I would have gone a bit smaller, to 50% even. And I probably would have added the other pockets. I do like it though, a lot. And I love that's it really roomy without looking like it. Oh, and I only used Soft and Stable for this bag, see how well it stands up next to the other one? It's much lighter too. That duck cloth really added to the final weight of the original one.

And you know what? The weekender pattern really isn't that hard to make. Now that I've done it twice I won't hesitate to make more.



22 comments:

Kelli said...

Oh, I love your daytripper purse. Those 'staches and that turquoise zip against the green - eep! And I absolutely LOVE our patch inside. Utterly perfect!

Carolyn said...

I love your purse! It is so fun, bright, and cheerful!

Little Island Quilting said...

Make another one...and then you can send it to me :-)

Ivete Tecedor said...

WOW, that turned out amazing! Way better than the original, and not just b/c it fits the wallet! Great job =)

jlk said...

Reducing the size was genius! Way to go.

Karen said...

I am totally loving this Julie! What a great idea to revamp your originally tote. I too love the weekender and a smaller size would be perfect as a purse :)

Alli said...

I love your mini weekender! And what a good idea to use soft and stable! I've made a couple of weekenders and wasn't happy with how heavy they are empty, so now I want to try it your way. :)

Sara said...

Awesome sauce!!! I love the mustaches in it and the versatility of it!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous bags. I particularly love the black & white piping.

Barbie Mills said...

It's so cute! I have some soft and stable that I want to try out. This looks like a great way to use it.

Di said...

I have just made a mini weekender. It is such a good sized bag to use as a handbag. Di x

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your bags! For my course I have to design a bag myself, else I'd be off now to get those patterns, they look fab!!! And I love your fabric choices for it!

Anonymous said...

By the way, any tips on piping? I want to use it with my bag, but have never done it before...

Nilya said...

It's fantastic... Love both!!

Amira@littlemushroomcap said...

Julie, That is so wonderful. I love all of them.. Great choice of black piping!

FabricDonkey said...

Simply gorgeous! I love the fabric choices, the piping - I love it all!

tahoe34 said...

Julie, I have been dying to make the Weekender bag but have hesitated because so many people complain about it being too hard. Thank you for your encouragement. I'm going to give it a go!!! Both of yours are absolutely beautiful,by the way!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I love these bags. I opened an online shop and people are always looking for new bags to make. Thanks for sharing.

http://www.rusticroosterquiltshop.com

legato1958 said...

Love both of your bags! I am going to make a Weekender some time soon!
Beautiful work!!!

Susie

brandy said...

your bags are stunning and inspiring, julie. thanks for sharing:)

nicole said...

Gorgeous! i've made one before but i may need to do a smaller one like yours! It's perfect!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! You rock with these two amazing bags!! The weekender is a dream for me and your is stunning!!!

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