Friday, 20 April 2012

Something bizarre has happened....

... I woke up this morning and had the desire to get my sewing machine out before starting work!

Regular readers will know that I am not on very good terms with my sewing machine usually, but today I woke up and wanted to make a new shopper tote for myself...




I always have a years old gold handmade shopper tote in my handbag so I don't have to use carrier bags, and when I go to the supermarket, one male checkout assistant always says to me, "got your snazzy bag again". Trouble is, it is not snazzy anymore; rather shabby in fact. So I've made a new tote using a Cath Kidson pattern, a remnant of curtain fabric and two pieces of vintage linen... the total cost £1.50!


...and it doesn't stop there.... seems I am on a roll... when I finish work later I have plans to make another tote using an old pink tablecloth I came across in my stash. The only snag with the bags I've made, is my husband won't be seen holding one, so I end up carrying heavy shopping if I use it in town. The gold one was "too girly" apparently, and I have a sneaking suspicion this one with a pink crinoline lady embroidery will be labelled the same... I may need to make a denim "man tote" this weekend!

28 comments:

  1. Tee hee this made me smile. Enjoy your bags, this oneblooks great. Uhmm sounds sooo familiar though, could have been the PIgtails family your were writing about.

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  2. Love it! I have a pile of lovely old fabrics at the ready to chop up and make into shopping bags for town trips. I have a feeling they might be there a while though in that state. It takes me a while to get going! You have inspired me though with your lovely creation!

    Happy weekend to you!

    Vanessa xxx

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  3. Yes denim, or perhaps camouflage for a "man tote". :) Such a pretty little bag, I would be afraid to use it in case I ruined the embroidery.
    xXx Helen

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  4. The tote is very sweet. Well done.
    Meredith

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  5. Fab tote, gorgeous coloured fabric and I love the vintage linen ........too pretty to use I think.

    Hope you manage to whip up something that your hubby is happy to use. Maybe you could make it reversible with a more 'blokey' fabric, hehe...

    Have a great weekend,

    Claire :}

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    1. Oh you are on to something there Claire... I never thought of a reversible tote!

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  6. Ooooh lovley !! what a great use for the fabric and embroidery. Maybe you should put some in your shop ?
    Jacquie x

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    1. Thanks Jacquie... not sure I have the confidence in my sewing to put them in the shop! Maybe one day...

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  7. What a beautiful tote. ALMOST makes me want to dust off my sewing machine. Almost.

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous! What a great way to use such pretty linens
    Victoria xx

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  9. Ne kadar hoş ve güzel ben çok beğendim elinize sağlık sevgiler.

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  10. I love this - did you do the embroidery too? It's absolutely beautiful. I don't know if I could use it for shopping it's so pretty.

    By the way, tell your husband there is nothing so manly as seeing a man carry a bag for a lady, no matter how girly the bag is. Unfortunately I don't see it as often as I used to.

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    1. Hi Jenny, no I didn't do the embroidery, it was 50p from the charity shop and I've managed to salvage the crochet trim it had around it for another project. I'll road-test it today... see if the man at Booths notices my new "snazzy bag"!

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  11. What a lovely tote ... glad you woke up with this in mind.

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  12. crochet with raymond20 April, 2012 21:22

    beautiful! I love it, and such a good way to upcycle vintage fabric! make sure the denim man tote is nice and big so it can fit lots in ;O)hehehe
    XXX

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  13. How pretty is that! And how wonderful that you've made it from scraps. you should definitely make a man one!

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  14. So lovely and re-cycling, big thumbs up from me. Suzy x

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  15. Brilliant, love the linen you've used. Yes, man bag needed. My DH doesn't mind carrying my more 'girlie' bags as long as I'm with him!
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Carol xx

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  16. Your tote bag is so sweet!! Love the embroidery, and handles!! Have a lovely weekend!!xo Heather

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  17. You have totally inspired me!! Your bag is soooooo beautiful! I love the idea of making a denim man bag too.

    Happy sewing!
    Leah
    x

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  18. I love the new shopping bag... the embroidery just makes it! The remnant of curtain material is beautiful. You will be noticed wherever you go! Will you be known as the "posh bag lady"?!

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    1. I like it! "posh bag lady" has a certain ring to it...

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  19. Pati from London23 April, 2012 09:56

    I love it! Very original and inspiring! It's a great way of upcycling. You should sell bags like this in your shop! x Pati

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    1. When I come across some more embroideries I think I will make some for presents and maybe a giveaway here... I'm nearing the 1000 followers and it would be nice to have a giveaway... thank you for your kind words as always Pati x

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  20. This is beautiful! I'm so impressed. I'm off now to visit your shop and see all your other lovely things.

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  21. Ooh that's gorgeous! I can see your husband wouldn't want to carry it though and I second Claire's suggestion of making a reversible one.

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