Another lunch bag

I've had fun this afternoon playing around with my sewing machine trying out an idea to make an insulated messenger style lunch bag. I used the last of my gorgeous white strawberry cotton, insulbright and a polyvinyl lining and made up how to do it as I went along.

First I cut all three layers to the same size to make a long thin rectangle. I then layered them with insulbright then rightside up fabric then the polyvinyl. I stitched down both long sides and one end. Next I turned it inside out so the insulbright was between the fabric and the polyvinyl. I then folded it to the desired size with the fabric right sides inwards. I had some fun (=difficulty) persuading the thick sandwich to go through my sewing machine to sew up the sides- several cross words came to mind as it jammed several times before finally I got both sides done (I wanted to stitch it twice to re-enforce the seams but couldn't face doing it again). Next I turned the back right side out and finally turned the unstitched flap edge over and fastened it by handstitching with blanket stitch.

The gorgeous strawberry fabric

I'm pretty pleased with the result- I'm sure there may be better ways to do it, but It worked OK. I am happy with my lunch bag, and know I will be using it soon.

I really hope I can get more of the fabric soon- but in reality this is a summer style fabric so probably the shop I get it from won't stock it again until next year.


Until next time
Gillian

Creations

I've had a busy last few days of our summer holidays. Another day at the beach on Thursday. Friday and Saturday mostly at home because the weather wasn't brilliant. Of course that just gave me time to play and make...


I've gone a bit overboard making cute little lunch bags- just the right size to fit in a small lock and lock box, some crisps and a piece of fruit...

I saw a friend with a bag like this and through trial and error have designed some sweet little bags. They are basically  little tote bags but what I  love about them is that the tops of these bags have one long loop for the handle and one short one to thread the handle through- a great way to keep everything together.

Two loops...

...One handle

Though when I gave one to Sean he very seriously said "Mummy, I think we've got a problem. One handle is too small." - bless him...




He's actually taken one of the bags to keep some small toys in. I'm thinking of making some larger ones and ones with two equal handles instead of the loop and handle design...






My favourite bag is the strawberry insulated one. I used insulbright as a wadding in a straightforward tote shape- this makes it a proper insulated lunch bag. This one I'm keeping for me- oh how selfish!....








I'm also working on two hexagon granny blankets for a crochet a long with Scotti Oxford a.k.a. the Inner hooker on Facebook. I'm using a pattern I found on Attic 24's blog ( this is a great blog- one of my favourites)  at http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html .


One is in coffee colours. It's hard to see in the photos but the centres are very pale cream, very pale flesh and off white. I find crocheting this one very soothing.

 The other is supposed to look like a field of wild flowers. I'm using lots of leftover wool and trying to avoid any regular repeats- the idea is to be completely random and wild.




Anyway, time to go and do...
So, until next time
Gillian