A bunch of bags
 

Back in May, a very senior friend ordered 3 bags--for Christmas! She has had some health issues lately and I think she wanted everything ready 'just in case'. Her instructions were very non-specific. 'You know what I like' was about it. I know that she loves scrappy, bright and different. And I love to play around with miniturizing traditional patterns. I wanted her to have a choice--not just 3 bags. So here they are. I wonder which ones she will choose. Thanks for looking.

Tough to choose; all fit the description of scrappy, bright and different. I will add fabulous too. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png I bet she ends up taking all of them haha!

Ekuw took the words out of my mouth, she will love them all!

Me too ... she won't be able to decide, so will take them all!!!
Great Job ... GingerK!!!!

Out of of curiosity, do you put pockets on the inside?

Yes QuiltE, I always put a zippered pocket in the bag. I also add a magnetic closure at the top and reinforce the straps with 4 or 5 lines of stitching. I have also started putting dark fabric on the bottom of the bags. i think it keeps them looking cleaner. But they are all washable too.

Those are some awesome bags! How will she ever decide which to take?

I will have to find some energy somewhere. I love all of those bags! I must make one soon or at least complete one project!

They are all so wonderful how could she ever make a decision, I bet she will want them all, well done.

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/tongue.png I am with those who said its too hard to pick only 3 and that she will want them all! You are kind to give her choices.
Your bags are all so pretty. What stabilizer do you use? I like the smooth look of your bags.

Wonderful bags with personality too! She has a fun selection of them.

You are quite clever with the different scrappy blocks.

Love your bags! I'd really like to make some. I'm new to bag-making, so, would you please elaborate on your process. I've tried several stabilizers--which one works best for yours? Also, I need instructions, preferably with a video. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

All of the bags are lovely! Well done.

Such great looking bags. She is going to want all 5! I love the "scrappyness" of them & they look so professionally made. Sounds like they are all reinforced well for lots of use. Thanks for showing them.

aashley333, do a search for 'free' purse/bag patterns and you can find lots of inspiration for any kind of purse/bag.

Love all the bags shown and a great way to use up scraps.

Ginger K, if you told me to pick one I wouldn't be able to!! I love them all. Great job!

they are so beautiful! I love them all!

All are fantastic!

Love those scrappy bagshttps://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

She'll want all of them!!! Each one is special.

All of them are great! If I was choosing for myself I would go with the black and white with red. I feel in love with the thumbnail and then seeing the full picture my heart melted.

I think they all are so lively!! She will love them all!

Wonderful bags! Would be hard to choose 3 out of the 5.

Great bags. It will be hard to choose.

Those are great.

May I ask what pattern you use?

Watson

They all are gorgeous!!

Great ideas, one and all, GingerK!

I do the same for the handles ... some batting in the centre then a few rows of stitches. I smiled when I saw the second fabric on the edge, as I have done that too! Have never included the zippered pocket, but do usually include 4 or 5 open pockets to help organize. Some times I add a pouch/pocket with elastic at the top to hold a water bottle in place. Also, I always add a snap hook thingie (there must be a proper name!) to clip my keys onto.

So, now we all want to know how soon we'll find out which she chooses!! :)

I love all of the bags. Creative use of colors and patterns. I would be unable to choose just 3. Great work.

My friend chose #2, 3, and 4. Since then, I have been invited to add some bags to a very small local craft fair. It has been running for over 30 years and since it is run out of a house, it is easy to limit the amount of visitors at any one time. Sooo...I'm making more bags! Thanks for all the wonderful comments.

Watson, I don't really have a 'pattern'. The body is about 34-36 inches long by about 18 inches wide. The cut out for the base is 3x3 (if using 2 pieces that will be sewn together at the base) or 3x5 1/2 (if using a whole piece). That is as much of a pattern as I have.

I plan on a pieced side of a bag being about 18x12 finished with an anchoring strip at the top and then a bottom piece that includes the base. That is as technical as I can get I think. Kind of piecing 'by the seat of one's pants"?

How kind of you to give her the choice.

Looks like you sew like me ... kinda sorta this!
I never keep measurements from one to the next and just let one of my bags be the model, and sometimes according to the fabrics I want to use. Then adapt anything that I have decided needs changing.

Good Luck with your next creations and the upcoming craft fair!

To Aashley333 the RobertKaufman site has many free patterns for bags. Youtube has many videos of bags.

To OP. All the bags are so pretty.

Very nice!

All are fabulous bags, Ginger! She will take them all. Where do I go to place my order? Lol…

Wow! they are all great! thanks for the information you provided on making them. You have inspired me. I make lots of scrappy quilts, many the same patterns as your bags.
Just curious how much do you sell them for?

Those are fabulous. You are a great designer!

I haven't been keeping up. Those bags are gorgeous. She made very good choices. They all looked perfect.

Ginger K, your Bags are beautiful. The first one looks three D to me.

All the bags are wonderful.