Mini Bow Tucks Bags

In my efforts to make my sewing room neater and more efficient, I felt compelled to deal with my piles.  It's amazing what does pile up in my sewing room:  mending, fabric acquisitions, UFO's, patterns, odds and ends....

Here's one pile:

It's sitting on a sunny window seat hence the bright spot.  One pair of slacks which needs a zipper repair and 2 mini-bow tucks bags, cut out and ready to assemble.

So, rather than sew up the top that I started cutting out in January, I opted to deal with my pile.  Most of the other piles are gone or shoved into a closet so at least I have the appearance of orderliness.  These Mini Bow Tucks bags were originally intended as Christmas gifts, but due to lack of recipient enthusiasm I lost sewing enthusiasm and decided I didn't feel like making anything for anybody any more.  haha  I've made a couple of these bags before (here and here) and they are relatively quick and very easy to put together (except for the quilting part--just my opinion, but I hate that part!).

I used a double button, layering a smaller red button on top of the large navy blue button since it matched better than anything else I had....

The above version is sewn per the pattern instructions for the handle length which is really short.  The next one, I made longer handles which does distort the proportions but fits better over the shoulder.

And, finally one tip about these bags.  Instead of using the tag board or cardboard stuff they suggest for inserting into the bottom to keep the structure, I use plastic needlepoint canvas and cut it to size.  It's washable by hand and easy to cut and insert.  A fellow ASG member told me about that and it was a great suggestion!

Now, while I don't feel like giving these bags away as gifts, I will probably donate them to our ASG fundraiser in November.  We're having a silent auction of handmade items.  Seems like a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping!

Mini Bow Tucks Purse Gift

Here's my second Mini Bow Tucks Purse.  I made this as a gift to the kids' piano teacher.  She has her graduating students do a solo piano recital and this is what we gave her.  Oldest dd did a great job and even did a duet with her db!

I didn't make any changes other than to embroider the piano teacher's name on it.  Next time, I think I'd like to experiment with the inside by adding some zippered compartments to make them more like a Baggallini.  I love those bags...but they sure don't come in loads of pretty fabrics!

Mini Bow Tucks Bag Questions

I thought I'd answer the questions I received about the Mini Bow Tucks Bag in my last post.  Thank you for posting comments!

First, from Homemade Pineapple Marshmallows who asked, "Did your sweet daughter ever finish up hers?" 


No, the dd has not finished hers yet.  She has mentioned finishing it.  Does that count?

Next, from kbenco, "Do the ties at each end hold the folded bag ends together? It looks to be a clever design. I hope you get lots of use from it, they look very complicated to sew. "

Here's a better picture of how the tie ends work:

Untied and unfolded.  You can see how the opposite side is folded in.

All tied!

So, yes, they do hold the folded ends together.  It wasn't very hard to sew at all.

Thanks again for the questions!

Mini Bow Tucks Purse

I've dropped out of the sewing world!  No, not really.  I have yards of fabric to show, but for now here's a small project that I completed recently:

Min Bow Tucks Pattern

Outside of completed bag, using fabrics purchased from a local quilt shop last year

Inside of bag and all the pockets!

These bags have been the 'thing' to make with our local sewing guild members.  I think I'm probably the last person in the guild to have made one!  I like having a custom handbag to carry but I this one needs some adjustments for the next time I make one.  The handles need to be longer and some of the inside pockets need either a zipper or velcro closure to prevent everything from falling out when the bag tips over!

Now, back to my other project:  painting!