Currently Stitching: Quilted Bags, Part 1

I've been hoarding away these packs of 2 1/2 inch precuts. They're so adorable I can't stop buying them! I'm finally going to make them in to something! More quilted bags! They're so fun to whip up! I modify the size, colors, and quilting style to whatever I feel fits the theme. It's really been such a blast!

I think the hardest part sometimes is deciding on the layout. I try to take my time and get the pieces varied and in a directional pattern. 

It is not unusual for this part of the project to take the longest amount of time.

But this is what I enjoy doing with my time, so who cares?!

After I've decided on a layout, I take my time sewing them up and lining up the seams. I also spend quite a bit of time pressing everything. I really don't want there to be any extra bulk or chunks with these bags. I always press all my seams open for bags.

After they've been sewn together and pressed, I go on the hunt through my scrap batting. Anything leftover that's just big enough, I'll use. I work with 80/20 cotton poly batting. I don't want the bags to be too stiff, but I like that it helps them stand up on their own instead of flopping over.

From there, I get to quilting these sweet little bags. I try to use different patterns for each one, or at least vary them when I can help it. I like to match up the threads and zippers as best I can. Or at least keep them in a complimentary color family. 

For something with a lot of straight lines, I like to do a cross hatch. It's one of my favorites in general, I love how it feels at the end. For this one, because there were so many textures, I chose large waves. I think it really tied things together without interrupting the patterns. The light gold was the perfect choice. 

I decided to be a little daring with this one. It was another fabric like with a lot of texture. I used a variegated cream and black and sort of went a little wild with the quilting.

I honestly love how it turned out! I don't think it distracted from the pattern at all! If anything, I think it blended and added to the textures.

I also tried this new kind of wave texture. I was thinking about the baptist fan. Then I just kept making the arches from the same point instead of making multiple fans. I am so thrilled with how they worked out. It's a new design I will be using again!

Once they were all quilted, I matched zippers and linings. It's a lot of fun to go through my fabric and pick out each one individually! No two bags are ever the same! All that was left was to get them sewn up and turned right sides out.

One down, eight more to go! They're just so dang cute when they're done! And that's why I can't stop making them!

However, I needed a break from the same process over and over again. So I decided to continue challenging myself today and try quilted tote bags. I first made a tote style bag when I was a retreat. It was a lot of fun! People started asking me to make them for them! Because they're so customizable it's like the project that keeps on giving!

This was a bag a put together a few weeks ago! It's coming to the shop here shortly! I'm so excited to make more of them!

The cool thing about working with bags is how many different kinds of material I get to work with. And the variety of fabrics of course! As with most things, the bit that takes the longest is all the planning and prep. Plus the ironing (eye roll).

I decided to work with three color ways, because why not? It was really fun to go through my collection and match up different fabrics and materials. I don't think I'll be able to get them all done today, and that's okay! They take a surprising amount of time to really stitch everything together securely.

I started out with this canvas style cream stripe and the water resistant in deep blue green. It feels like a New England summer beach bag! I am taking my time to ensure the straps are long enough and everything is evenly spaced. It required more pinning and clipping than I'm used to, but I'm still having a good time!

I'm not sure whom of you out there have made handles... But for those of you who enjoy it, you're nuts. In my limited experience, I find it to be labor intensive and boring. However, I would like to try some quilted and two tone! Maybe I'm nuts too?

In the other tote I included multiple pockets. For this model I left a plain interior. I'm still experimenting and seeing what styles I like the best. Sometimes it's nice to just have a big open bag. 

This floral lining felt like the right fit. Because the outside of the bag is pretty chill, I thought having some fun flowers on the inside would bring it to life! Plus it has the appreciate colors in the flowers to match the outside of the bag.

I've still got to get the other two finished, along with the small zipper bags. I can't wait to see how they all turn out! Are there any bag patterns you like? Tag me in your bag projects on instagram! Check in next week to see how these turned out!