Bag Lady

My friend Jocelyn and I were called Bag ladies when we used to meet during our lunch break. We were together for two years and we made many many bags during that time. The reason we stopped meeting is because I started a handmade book group and Jocelyn was also in the group so we now only meet to make handmade books with some stitching thrown in. In our Bag Lady sessions I made a few crazy quilt style bags. Quite a few of them were giveaways as presents and some I keep for myself.

This bag brought back a lot of memories. I found the handle at a market in Queensway city hall in London. DH and I lived in London in the 80s BC (before children). We used to love going to antique markets and jumble sales at church halls or city halls. When I saw this handle I fell in love with it and thought one day I would make a bag to go with it. Twenty years later I made this bag to attached to the handle.

I am so happy that I finally made the bag using the handle. Sometimes I can't believe that I actually made this bag. It looks like an antique bag from the Victorian era...!

Another crazy quilt bag with long strap that I can wear across my shoulder. I like wearing my bag that way to free both of my hands when I travels. This bag is an ideal bag for a party or an evening bag where I only need my mobile phone and keys. I made a few of these bags and taught a few of my friends to make them as well.

This is what it looks like under the flap. It's a very simple bag to make. Once I finished with the crazy quilt part of the bag the rest was easy. I really enjoy using this bag and I get a lot of compliments every time I use it.

Another bag that holds a lot of memories for me. This bag is made from a pair of shorts which were DD's when she was about eight. I kept them knowing that I will make it into a bag one day. The belt was also hers and it was one of those Eastern European hand embroidery strips on felt. We found it at one of the jumble sales. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away thinking that someone had lovingly embroidered it by hand.

I am glad I kept it because it goes perfectly with this bag. I don't know if you can tell that the crazy quilt represents under water treasures. I get a lot compliments with this bag too. A group of ladies borrowed it for a while to copy it, but I don't know if they actually made any.