Hey peeps,
Here's the part I've been super-looking forward to.
The bit where I put the book I reviewed on Monday,
through its paces.
It's all very well a book looking all
wanton and foxy and tempting,
but does it deliver the goods?
Can it hit the high notes?
Will it dance the fandago?
Big questions for any craft book.
And here's the thing.
I reckon they can only be thoroughly answered by actually
making the projects in the book.
The only way.
So that's what I propose to do.
I've picked a few of the crafts
from Home-Made Vintage
and I'll be sharing them here.
Yes, just for you.
The first project I've picked out is this:
The Bucket Bag.
(photo from Vintage Home)
I've been enchanted with its
beautiful bucket-y loveliness.
Simple. Elegant. Classy.
{Umm, yeah, no brainer, I'll make it.}
Now, the most important thing with any project is fabric.
Fabric. Fabric. Fabric.
So important.
And, guess what?
let me pick out
some of their
g o r g e o u s
linens.
*huge squeal of delight*
After a lot of umming and aahing,
like a little girl let loose in a sweet shop,
I chose the utterly romantic
for the outer
...and the echo-of-a-deckchair
for the lining.
Both perfect for English Modern Country Style.
Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty.
How did the making of the bag go?
Step 1: Cutting out the pieces.
Once I'd got over the significant hurdle of photocopying
the pattern to 200% larger, it was plain sailing.
Lovely easy shapes to get snippy with.
Step 2: Pinning.
To be honest, I was so in love with the fabrics,
that even this was a joy.
{Am I the only one who's bored stiff by pinning?}
Step 3: Sewing.
Once the pins were all in place, this was really easy.
Like beginner-beginner easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy easy.
Are you getting how simple this would be for you to make?
As long as you take extra care
when matching seams, it'll all be hunky dory.
Step 4: Pressing.
Your iron truly-ruly is your best friend when it
comes to getting a good finish on projects.
Pressing makes a gimungous difference.
Even fairly basic sewing can be made to look
Harrods-best with a bit of pressing.
The verdict.....
True bag love.
It's perfection.
I'm thrilled with
the shape
and style
and look
and feel
of My Bucket Bag.
It's even reversible,
which the pattern doesn't let on.
It was like a delicious secret
waiting to be discovered
as a reward for finishing.
So I can have a Hatley bag, with a Jolly Stripe lining.
Or a Jolly Stripe bag, with a Hatley lining.
Even Mr Modern Country approves.
And that's really something.
Bags aren't his bag,
if you know what I'm saying.
My Bucket Bag is gorgeous for a few bits and bobs
to pop down to the Farmers Market on my bike,
but equally as gorgeous with a lippy, purse
and phone for a night out with the girlies.
That's Modern Country Style!
But my favourite use of all?
Well, you'll have to wait until Friday for the big reveal.
Let's just leave it at this for now...
I'll be linking with my favourite parties in the sidebar...
76 comments :
Big tease!! I can not wait to see. Love the material you picked!!
It sounds like I'm going to have to go order myself a new book. This type of project is my favorite ... straight forward, easy to understand, progresses well, and WONDERFUL RESULTS. I wonder what I have in my fabric stash that I can use .....
Great post. Talk about leaving us all hanging... can't wait to see this on Friday :)
Great post!
Will try to get the book, but living in France? Possible?
Just discovered your blog, like it!
Greetings from the Périgord,
Karin
How wonderful to be able to make a Cabbage and Roses bag! It turned out beautifully! You are so right about the ironing part, it makes all the difference, doesn't it. So fun to see what you have created.
Hugs, Cindy
beautiful bag
Have a nice day
Mari
I love it!!!!!! Love the fabric you used...although all their fabric is gorgeous!
Can't wait till Friday!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B
This may be a summer project for me... I have been drooling over bags of this style for a couple of months. I love your fabric choices! :)
~Alison
Mmm lovely bag you made. Gorgeous fabric too. I MUST get that sewing machine going again.
Well done! I love the bag, the fabric, AND the reversibility. It's all around fabulous.
Beautiful job Sarah! I'm not sure what I love more your bag or your gorgeous photos of the process!!
Hi Sarah,
I love the bag! and the fabric I adore.
I can't wait to see your next project. I think I'll go the book store this weekend and purchase Home-Made Vintage.
Have a sweet day and hugs, Elizabeth
Absolutly wonderful ~ that's what that bag is!
Sarah, my oh my, this is a gorgeous bag! And it goes perfectly with my decor hehe. In all seriousness, I love it! The stripes mixed with the florals too, all wonderful. And the shape, divine. Can't wait to see Friday's post, tami
Sarah, you make it sound soooo easy. You are a legend that's for sure!
Loved your comment on my post about the slippers. I laughed. A lot.
Can't wait til Friday. xx
You can't go wrong with the fabric and the style of the bag.~Cheers Kim
Well done Sarah, the bag looks gorgeous! I love the hatley linen...I have a cushion in the charcoal. Can't wait to see your next project. Robx
I have a great iron....just for sewing! I can't be paid enough in this world to iron clothes on a regular basis, but sewing!!!!! I love LOVE to press seams!
Bag is a beauty!
I think you might just be the only person I have ever heard describe a book as wanton and foxy and tempting! LOL! Can I just tell you that I was seriously distracted by your gorgeous sewing shears? And I can't wait to see the rest of the bag in that divine fabric. :-)
Vanessa
Hi sugar booger!
Look at all that gorgeous... in a tote! I LURVE it, Sarah! The fabrics from Cabbage and Roses are so beautiful! This would look great in my kitchen, haha! Much lovelier on you! I couldn't agree more with the pressing part. It makes all the difference. YOu did a great job! Love your photos, too!
Wouldn't you know it's raining today. I had to go and open my yap:)
Hugs,
~Michelle
Can't wait to see this, and the future projects as well. The fabrics you picked are gorgeous!
Gaelle
I am in love!!
XO,
Jane
Wow!! Very very good job Sarah! This bag is lovely ;)
I think I'm going to buy this book..
A big hug
paola
Nice bag !!!..one for me please ???...hahahahha!! lovely evening...love Ria...xxx...
I love the fabrics you choose Sarah! I can't wait to see the finished product.
What a georgeous bag!! I love the fabric choices you put together! Have a great day and hope youfind lots to stow in it!!
Beautiful Sarah, really love the fabrics you chose too, so handy for those quick dash to the shops :) x
Stunning bag! I am a total sucker for bags...the less structured, the better. I adore Cottages and Roses fabrics! You are such a lucky (and talented!) girl. Beautiful. I can't wait to see what else you make ♥
Amazing! I like the nod to A.A. Milne in your subtitle xx
I LOVE it!!;) I think you need to sell it to me~ Hugs, Rachel
French Farmhouse 425
I love the humungo strap it's got. I love the fabrics you chose too. Very late spring, early summer.
Very nice! Love your choice of fabrics too!
xxx
O.K., I am obsessed with linen (and burlap!) right now. Obsessed, I tell you. This bag is right up my alley. Would you make me one? (Just kidding, of course, but I just thought I'd throw that out there.) :)
Gorgeous! I love the prints you chose!
awesomeness!! love the fabrics, love the casual shape of the bag and LOVE the next big thing that we can't quite make out in the last image...can't wait!
Lusciously gorgeous and sooooo modern country!
You go, bag lady!
Michele
Aren't you the creative one! Love the fabric. You did an amazing job. Yay you!
that is so pretty!
perfect! it reminds me of the summer days to come!
can't wait to see what you're up to!
take care,
Rosa
Hey woman! Nice bag! I want it....ohhhh I guess I just have to like yours....melissa
Oh it is looking just beautiful!! I love the fabrics you chose!! Hugs, Courtney
It's looking gorgeous! Love the fabric, you lucky girl!
I checked, and my library does not have that book. Boo hoo.
hi Sarah, Just gorgeous book,fabric and bag. Just found your blog, love your pics of Kate M. didnt know she Always gets it right(never seen most of the pics here in Aust.Love that style and really enjpyed reading your blog. Happy days. Chrisb.
Love love love it! The fabric choices were perfect. I hate pinning so much that I rarely bother any more - unless it's a large heavy fabric or it's slippery. I just want to get into the good bit - sewing.
xx
Love the fabric! I bought a simple fabric bag at Target last year; it was Liberty of London for Target. It's one of my very favorite. This one is lovely!
Awesome job on that beeautiful bucket bag, Sarah!!!! In my world, however...there's no such thing as easy-peasy sewing. I haven't a clue on even how to start! lol! You should make a bunch of them and sell them to rookies like me! :)
xoxo laurie
♥
LOVE the fabrics you chose Sarah! I can't wait to see the whole bag, you tease. Your photos look very pretty by the way :)
hugs ♥ tricia
L O V E it!! The design and the beautiful fabric!! A bonus that it's reversible! I want a bucket bag now :-)
Can't wait to see the big reveal!
Meera xx
I think I might have to order that book! That bag design (and fabric) are absolutely gorgeous. C&R never disappoints. How awesome that you were given some of Christina's fabrics. That's a laundry dream right there! Can't wait to see the whole bag. I'm with the other girls..."tease!"
S W E E T !!
BTW, How DID
you figure out
how to photo copy
to 200%? I don't
even thing that is
a normal enlargement
size on a photocopy
machine. Maybe I
could just hand it
over to the person
at Kinko's and let
him/her figure it out?
Love your bag, Sarah!
xx Suzanne
PS: Just popped
over to Amazon and
did not find this
book. They did have
one published in 2006
with the same title.
Is this an updated
version of that one,
or 40 new projects?
Thanks!
xx Suzanne
I photocopied it in two stages so I doubled the size and then doubled that photocopied version too...but that had to be done in various stages to get the right parts of the pattern on the new photocopy!!
But that was, seriously, the hardest part of the bag-making!!
Sarahx
Yes, that's the one. The 2006 version is the same, as far as I know.
Sarahx
Love your photos and the bag turned out just lovely!
I've got to find this book!!!
What a teaser, can't wait til Friday...
Wow, you sure got a lot of comments. I guess we all love the bag.
Fabulous - I absolutely love the fabrics you chose and the fact that it is easy to sew is my kinda project LOL! Looking forward to hearing about the other projects in the book. Have a great weekend.
Visiting from Vintage Inspiration Friday
Well, well, well. Look who just joined the Twitter dark side! So excited!
You have inspired me! I loved your review of the book and am delighted to see the patterns are easy to follow! I think those totes would be a fantastic gift idea..... If you can bear to give them away once you've finished them! I am going to have to get that book! X
Hi Sarah...
Oooh...I love, love, LOVE your Bucket Bag! I know I would love to have one! The fabrics that you chose are simply gorgeous...gotta love a cabbage rose! Sounds like a great new craft book...thanks for sharing it with us..as well as your new bag! You did GREAT, my friend!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
LOVE it!!!! makes me want to get the book and try one myself. Thanks so much for the how-to and for linking up with VIF!! xoxo Debra
What a fun project book! I love the fabric!
Great fabric and love the bag!! That book looks very intriguing!
Stopping by from Chic on a Shoestring Decorating and your newest follower.
This is what I posted on the linky party: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/05/wool-buffalo-check-coat-finished.html
That's so pretty, I absolutely love the fabric!
Beautiful. I love the fabrics you chose.
~Heidi
Ooh, the bag looks gorgeous! I want to see the full thing, girl! And you actually have me wanting to sew. :)
Visiting from Show & Tell Friday. TFS!
sarah, i can so imagine you on your way to the farmers market on your bike with that bucket bag! you can be an adeline adeline bike model, you know. :) and yes i agree it IS gorgeous enough for a girls' night out too. LOOOVE. xx T
Your bucket bag is adorable. I want one! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Oooh lovely and how delicious to be able to pick your fabrics from their truly modern country collection!
The iron is the only thing that saves my sewing projects from looking absolutely entirely amateur (which of course they are) and allows them to look presentable! lol
My question is how did you increase the pattern to 200%? Did you do this manually or take it to a photocopier? xxx
Gorgeous! I think the fabric makes all the difference between an "OK, it's pretty" project and a "WOW! I love it!" project... you sure did pick the WOW! fabric here... can't wait to see more!
Yhis is beautiful! so vintage like! and your descriptions so detailed.
Beautiful, Sarah. The fabric combination is sublime!
Love the bag! I'm sure yours is only the first of many you make now that you've made one! WISH the one shown was here in my arms---darling!
~Heidi
Hi Sarah,
I just found you via Beach Cottage and love your blog. As a Brit out across the Bay from San Francisco, I am especially glad to find a great blog that is so English. I will be coming back!
Ros
You sure made me want to try my hand at making one. Totally in love with the red stripes and floral together!!! Easy peasy is my thing and my Mom always told me how important ironing is in the sewing process and it's true! Love the bucket bag!!
I've got the book and have tried to make the bag. I can't work out how to get the seams of the lining INSIDE the fabric so that it looks neat like the handles. Any ideas peeps?
Thanks
"True bag love.
It's perfection"
Definitely agree! Love the style and design of the bag, eh. Great DIY. :)
Cheers,
Cathy@nurses uniforms
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