Wednesday 21 September 2011

A bag of apples

The sun is shining, the washing machine is working, and I have finished making the sweetest little bag - there's three good things for you with very little effort.


I know it was raining earlier, but I can hang out the backlog of laundry now, thanks to the third Mr W M Repairman in a fortnight paying us a call this morning. Today's Mr W M Repairman was very young, very polite, did not shake his head or draw in his breath ominously, and didn't even trip the electricity while I was working on the computer. We definitely like him, and have great hopes that we can get more than two loads of laundry done before Mr W Machine gives up the ghost again.


I have been distracting myself from laundry griefs with a wonderful Keyka Lou pattern called a Belted Tote Bag. Working through some patterns might add to the stresses and strains of life, but not Michelle's - her instructions are definitely Pomona-proof, being very clear and copiously illustrated, and enabling me to produce a very fetching little appley bag. It has come out so well that I somehow feel that someone else must have made it when I was scrubbing the floors or making tea for Mr Repairman or preventing a most vicious Little Stranger from hurling herself and her teeth at the neck of Charlie the friendly neighbourhood labrador who makes a point of escaping from the confines of his garden on a regular basis to come and play mad games with his friend the Mad Dog.


But no, I really did make it - in some lovely Alexander Henry apple fabric, and lined with yellow Lake house Dry Goods fabric by Holly Holderman called Annie's Seed Catalogue - the only Annie's Farm Stand fabric that I have found on these shores so far. I love fabric with writing on, and was recently discussing with Isisjem the fact that I keep seeing wonderful projects using text fabric, but never seem to find it on sale  - although I have just seen that Amy from During Quiet Time has produced her own range, so maybe I might even get to be ahead of the curve for once, rather than trailing behind.


Having also seen Annie's post announcing that it is 100 days to Christmas and time to start making presents, I think that these bijou bags might be just the thing - depending on the fabric used they could be an ideal gift for a teenage girl, a knitting bag for a granny (no, I am not going to use this one for a knitting bag, well, maybe) or as a pretty eco shopping bag to carry around in your handbag so that you don't have to pay 1p to buy a plastic monstrosity.


Are you going to make your Christmas presents this year? If so, time to start now - you know if you leave it until November you will be a gibbering wreck by the time Christmas Eve arrives, and have to rush out as the shops shut to buy all the presents you so optimistically thought that you could make. Actually, I am sure you will be more efficient than that - as for me, I start off with good intentions, but by Christmas Eve I will be a gibbering wreck, . . . etc, etc.

So take it from me, just start making your Belted Totes now and come Yuletide you will be a very happy bunny.

30 comments:

Rosa-Munda said...

A perfectly lovely bag with the most wonderful fabric! Ros x

millefeuilles said...

That fabric is so sweet. Just what autumn sewing calls for with a of spring colours.

Lovely bag, Pomona!

{Leila}Where the Orchids Grow said...

Lovely bag!
The yellow text print is my favourite! I need to stock up on some more of that I think.

Tina said...

Such a beautiful bag!! Really pretty, Pomona!
xx

Annie said...

Gorgeous bag, and I love the fabrics, especially the Annie one :D
Maybe I should have issued a '100 days to Christmas' challenge! Then again, maybe not ... that might have guaranteed shops full of gibbering wreck bloggers come Christmas Eve ;D

Jill said...

Love the fabric you have used for the bag, you are right ideal christmas present,
Jillx

Mrs. Micawber said...

Some of us work best under pressure.

Some of us LIKE waiting until late November to start making Christmas gifts (most of which have to be boxed and shipped to out-of-state relatives, leaving even less time for decision / design / construction).

Some of us deceive ourselves year after year with the above two arguments.

Some of us are just plain procrastinators.

For "some of us", read Mrs M.

What an adorable bag, and I love that text fabric.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Gorgeous bag Pomona! I love the apple fabric and I really, really love the printed lining fabric. :)
Vivienne x

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

What is it about a tote bag that makes them so appealing? This fabric is great and yes would make a lovely Christmas present.

Helen Philipps said...

That is a very pretty bag, Pomona, and an adorable fabric for the lining...I love fabric printed with text too. The apples and pears print is so colourful and fresh and really suits the lovely style of bag you've chosen.
Helen x

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

That is one gorgeous bag!

Victoria xx

GardenOfDaisies said...

Your mom has good taste in china! :-)
The apple pear belted bag you made is really wonderful!!! It really does look lovely. I think I'll try to locate her pattern and make one too.

driftwood said...

hurray for WM no. 3. love love love the bag xox

Emily said...

Oooh, what a lovely bag (especially hanging in the sun like that).
You've scared me re Christmas presents as I do have hopes of making mine this year (note to self: need to be organised).
Emily x

Gina said...

That looks like a very pretty and useful bag indeed.

harmony and rosie said...

It makes total sense to start the Christmas production line now but we all know that never happens. Not in our household anyway. I shall doubtless join you in the jibbering wreck department on Christmas Eve. Lovely bag, glad you had some sunshine to aid the photography, the light is getting worse and worse up here .. must be all that smog !

Mousy Brown said...

But what would I do in November if I wasn't panicing about making presents????? :D

Nicky said...

Can't be used for anything as mundane as shopping unless it is for pampering and preening - a favourite beauty product or some cheeky underwear!

Beautiful! And a welcome gift I'm sure

Katy Cameron said...

Very pretty! I'm way ahead of the game, I've already made and delivered one pressie for Christmas, 3 more to go!

Frances said...

Some Christmas gift making is already underway around here, still going at a leisurely pace. That will change when the October page of the calendar turns up.

I do like that apple bag and love the contrast of the lining. Somehow, I always think that Japanese textile arts always have a grand way of mixing up patterns, colors, scale and having it all turn out perfect.

Best wishes!

**Anne** said...

Your bag is quite gorgeous with a very cheery fabric too! I saw some long narrow zippered bags, a bit like a pencil case in Target today, which are being sold as hair straightener/hair tong bags. They are intended to be used when travelling. I did buy some for Xmas presents but I'm sure you could make some easily. Just a thought for Xmas pressie ideas.
Anne xx

Shocking Hocking said...

gorgeous bag Pomona - might have to make a couple myself...

Claire said...

Fab bag Pomona and I just looooove the fabric, well done..........

Hmm, I'm sure you'll be whipping up a few more for Christmas.

Claire :}

dragonfly said...

Oh, it's lovely! I have a bag pattern along with chosen fabric coming to the top of my to-do pile. I'm going to bookmark this one though.

ted and bunny said...

yes, I'm making bags again this year for pressies and I aim to add a little matching drawstring dolly bag to match...well thats the plan anyhow.
Sizes will depend on what fabrics I have in stock- trying so hard to actually USE the fabric stash instead of merely patting and stroking it!
x

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a lovely appley bag, so bright and sunny! I have started making my Christmas cards and am plotting and planning some gifts too

Selfsewn said...

cute bag!
Regarding the cottage in Hartland.
We were camping in stoke barton, so we walked for about an hour north.

There is a car park at Hartland quay, which you have to pay for, or there is a way through Hartland Abbey (I assume there is a charge).

Enjoy Hartland, its beautiful.
But dont slip on the rocks like me.

Shirleyanne said...

A beautiful bag, love both the fabrics you have used Pomona!
Can sympathise with the washing machine probs, I've just had to renew mine!

Have a good weekend!

Little Blue Mouse said...

What a lovely bag, the apple fabric is gorgeous.

Sewandthecity said...

The bag is adorable...and what lovley fabric!

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