Monday, January 11, 2010

Library bags

When I was young, in grade school I carried what my mother called, a library bag. It was a simple cloth bag that I carried library books that were given to us to read. Well, this week, out of a big piece of wild fabric, I made 6 library bags for my grand kids.

I used the Lazy Girl Designs free tote bag pattern here. It does take more fabric than other bags, but it is a nice substantial bag that is finished inside and out. I used fabric dimensions to make the bag smaller. It was easy to apply the handles and hide the handle ends. I really like this pattern and I think it will be one that I use again.

Since all the bags look alike, I took the opportunity to make little things that will hang on a loop on the handle of the bag that will differentiate the bags.
I used scrap fabric and batting and made little raw edge quilt initials and sewed a ribbon to hang on the bag loop.
And at Friday coffee, one of the Friday girls, Vivian was cleaning out her sewing room and brought a give away bag of things. Guess who took home most of it... ME. This inspired me to make "Bling on a String" danglies to hang on the loop of the bag too. Thanks Vivian!


Now the next fun part will be to fill these bags with things that will be fun for the travelling part of the trip.

I hope the kids will like them and re-use the bag later for something else.

7 comments:

Donna's chitchat said...

How fun you are. I am going to make a bag this week too.. for my friend Kay... who carries this pathetic bag to church with all our church stuff in it... it is ripped and thin... and she has given me the bag to take care of for the next few weeks while she is away!! hee hee.. .
Love the tags too...

Joan Hawley said...

Hi Gail, Your With Love Totes are fantastic! The fun print of the fabric really makes the most of this simple and quick design. Great job!

Mary Johnson said...

What a great idea and they're very cute.

My Mom made some small gift backs for Christmas one year and my son Adam loved his so much he asked her to make him a couple more. Since he's in an apartment, he has to save his quarters for laundry so he always has one with his laundry money.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Morning Gail, The tote bags are very nice and I love how you added the bling to them. I am sure your grand daughters will love them. Hugs Judy

cpm said...

I LOVE THEM! The letters and the "bling on a string" are so great! Super idea!

Anonymous said...

Nice bags Gail...our library sells these bags that someone makes and donates so the profits for buying the bags goes to the library.

Anonymous said...

i've always wanted a "library bag", learned the name from your blog. just never got around to get one. i want one from mommywholesale.com that looks cute.