Thursday is Emily's last day of school and we wanted to make
some thank-you-we'll-miss-you gifts for her incredible and
wonderful teachers. It occurred to me that with a blog name
like ikat bag, one would expect that there'd be, well, bags on
it. I haven't been sewing bags as much now as before, mostly
because the kids are so inspiring to make toys and clothes for.
But a reader commented that she'd like to see some totes,
so I took some pictures while on this project.
name backwards at the bottom. I scanned the picture into
and ironed them onto muslin. The muslin pieces were then
sewn onto canvas, framed with the lining fabric
the sea, which I used to live rather close to and now miss.
I am also partial to a high solid-to-print ratio in my
fabric projects, so the print got relegated to the lining. These
are reversible totes to give the teachers the option of not
displaying their likenesses to the general public. Reversible
totes are not extra fancy, by the way, nor do they require
special sewing skills. If you can make a fabric receptacle
that has no exposed raw edges, it is, in theory, reversible, see?
rigid. They shouldn't need to have stuff in them to make
them keep their shape. The straps, especially, drive me
bonkers if they are soft and floppy. I got a bit fanatical
with these - used enough interfacing to make them
as stiff as swords.
Today we are going to bake a batch of chocolate-and-pecan-
dipped shortbread to pack into these bags before delivering
them to the teachers tomorrow. And when the kids are
napping (fingers crossed!) this afternoon, I'm going to work
on the long-handled hands-free versions of these bag (so they
sling over the shoulder) for my mother-in-law and a future
giveaway. If anyone is interested in the pattern - and I use
the term loosely because bag patterns are really a bunch of
rectangles! - leave a comment and I'll try and do one of those
printable sketch thingybobs when I post pictures of
the long-handled versions next.
Not bag-related at all, but for Emily's classmates, we made
some stickers. Which is really an excuse to show you all my
Xyron sticker maker* which I found many, many uses for in
spite of not being a scrapbooker, like these stickers
I love those bags(& as a teacher I would be more than delighted to receive one!!!)
ReplyDeleteWould certainly love a tutorial, without which I would have no chance
Chris x
I'd love to see a tutorial too! I've tried sewing a few bags (small ones) and love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having them be reversable. Something like this would be cute to make for grandmas and aunties. A tutorial would be awsome!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea! My daughter is moving from her preschool group where she's been for 2.5 years to go to Kindergarten in August and this would be a great way to thank her teachers. Thanks so much for the idea and I would really love to see how you made them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteClara
Once again, you save the day. As preschool is drawing to a close, I'd also thought of making some totes for teachers but couldn't quite put my finger on what I wanted them to look like. Then I come here and bam! Perfect! Love the drawing, transfer paper idea, solid-to-print ratio, everything! They're just perfect!
ReplyDeleteI have come over from a craft blog where your flower bed was featured and I was blown away with that creation. It is amazing and something that I am sure brings much enjoyment to your children. I have since been checking out your tutorials and patterns. I printed off your cardboard cake template as I knew my little girl would absolutely love this. This morning, she coloured and put stickers all over her cardboard cake and we had a ball. I will feature it on my blog soon and of course reference the idea to you.
ReplyDeleteThe bags you made for your childrens teachers are beautiful and functional. The teachers that receive these are so fortunate to receive such wonderful and personalised handmade gifts. What a perfect way to express your gratitude.
Elise
Aww that is so sweet! I love the drawings!
ReplyDeleteNice cheery bags ! Yes, tutorial please. I love the idea of using E's drawings on them.
ReplyDeleteWow, the colors are so beautiful.
ReplyDelete