Tuesday, January 27, 2009

HOT in the City....

I really hope the Bureau of Meteorology is playing some sick sort of joke, and that we're NOT facing a week of 40 degrees days (around 100F I think?). Note to friends in the Northern Hemisphere - PLEASE send us an arctic blast or two...? A HINT of coolness...?

Ok - got that off my chest - now back to sewing....

I made this City Bag on the weekend. I think it looks a bit Hawaiian-shirt-ish - a bit of happy Summer (as opposed to oppressive, scorching summer... Sorry - I'll shut up about it in a minute...).

I kept it pretty simple - with 32mm Flat O-rings in the straps and a plain boxed-corner base (pic below). I used Fast2Fuse as the base support because it's flexible and comfortable when the bag is slung around the body (over the head - hands-free style) which is a really easy way to wear this bag.
This one (below) is cotton moleskin in a gorgeous shade of orange (that won't photograph easily!). It tones in beautifully with this Kaffe Fassett print.

Slightly more detail here. The same o-rings as above, but also an eyelet in the strap and an oval zipper-pull.
I also included a structured base on this bag. This is the method I teach so that you can add a hard base and purse feet to any box-cornered bag. It uses Vilene S520 and Template Plastic as support (and requires competent sewing machine skills).
I'll be teaching this method at the Stitches and Craft Show as well as in A Sharper Edge classes. I also offer a printed tutorial (if requested) with purchases of Vilene S520 and Template Plastic.
Last pic... this is the inside of the bag. It has a large zipped pocket and a compartment pocket.



I'm just going to lap up the air-conditioned comfort of home for a while and steel myself for tomorrow. My studio is NOT air conditioned and I have a date with a fusing press...!!!?

8 comments:

CurlyPops said...

They're both so pretty. I love the floral on the city bag. I'm dreading the rest of the week. I'm going to have to sit in the kitchen and stay there as it's the only room with AC!

Missie Krissie said...

When you have 40 degrees, just be thinking of us in Northern Vic who will apparently be facing a lovely 45. That will make you feel better! :)

Gillian R said...

Great bags Nikki! I hear you about the heat too.. my studio is the only room in the house that's not air-conditioned. Arghhh!! Love the City Bag and your attention to detail with the eyelet in the second bag really makes it fab!

JodieMo said...

I wish I was in Australia for many reasons; one, so I could take your classes; two, because at the moment I would relish 100F weather because I am really tired of having cold feet and hands; third, if I were in Australia that would mean I was on vacation.
Great bag, I really like it.

Marty said...

I would sooo send you some cold! Here in south central Montana we woke up to -30 degrees today. That's Fahrenheit!

I'd take about 25 degrees of your 100-I could live with that, combined with the forecast for +20 today. Would make it tolerable. I hate wearing long underwear!

Margaret said...

A gorgeous bag indeed and yes we are not looking forward to 40 degrees either. I have spent the morning putting up blockout curtains on windows, towels etc.

Anonymous said...

Love the city bags Nikki! This pattern is on top of my bag to-do list at the moment. Good luck with the heat! I'll be sitting at home in the air con...

Hilde C. said...

Sorry, can't send you an arctic blast, but I can send you a bag of snow. Great bags you've made :-)