The Sewing Room

PepPop

Kandi Very clever idea. It makes it much more personal now too.

in-the-beach-hut

Kandipandi wrote: »

This is not strictly my bag - its a cheap laptop sleeve that I use to keep my laptop in (of course.. ) inside a larger bag for work.

What a good idea - I've got one of these from Dull (or maybe it's Dell :rotfl:) which really needs a bit of brightening up - I love the little button decoration on yours. Must remember to buy industrial strength needle when I next go to the shops... Thanks hun! :T:T

shirlgirl2004

I was busy last night. After posting a pic of DD2s bag yesterday I made one for DD1. I shorted the straps from 66cm to 55cm which is a much better length. It took me 5 hours but again that included the slippery waterproof lining.
I just got to work out how to make the straps on DD2's bag shorter. I'm thinking maybe a toggle and loop as the easiest solution but if anyone can think of a better one letter me know.

karmacookie

Hi shirl

your bags are great. I love the floral fabric. Where did you get it?

Kandipandi

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

I just got to work out how to make the straps on DD2's bag shorter. I'm thinking maybe a toggle and loop as the easiest solution but if anyone can think of a better one letter me know.

Found this on another thread - explains what I was thinking:

"You could use 2 "D" or "O" rings sewn to the end of one strap and thread another strap through to set the length you want. Meeting strap ends "end to end" pick up ring end and thread the other strap through both rings from underneath to the top. Turn the threading strap back over and thread between the rings. Pull snug and your strap won't slip. I am sure someone else could explain the threading a lot better than I have done! " from here

MaureenHB

rosalie-lavender wrote: »

I do a lot of dressmaking and I buy most of my fabric from these two companies.

http://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk/thestore/

http://www.remnanthouse.co.uk/

Both have a set rate of postage no matter how large your order of around £4.50 which is a reasonable price considering the weight of fabric.

I also use jmm marketing for haberdashery and basic fabric like lining. Delivery is free for orders over £10. They will send out a free catalogue if you request one.

http://jmm-marketing.co.uk/

Just found this thread.. delighted!
May I add a factory shop I use near Glossop.. fat quarters at 50p each and a good selection of fabrics around £1 a metre.
http://www.tiviotprints.co.uk/millshop.htm
Worth a trip if, like me, you are mad about material!

shirlgirl2004

karmacookie wrote: »

Hi shirl

your bags are great. I love the floral fabric. Where did you get it?

From Ebay. A fellow poster linked to an Ebay seller that sells laura ashley type fabrics. This fabric is very similar to the LA wallpaper my DD has so I knew she'd love it. Here is the seller who delivered quickly too.

shirlgirl2004

Kandipandi wrote: »

Found this on another thread - explains what I was thinking:

"You could use 2 "D" or "O" rings sewn to the end of one strap and thread another strap through to set the length you want. Meeting strap ends "end to end" pick up ring end and thread the other strap through both rings from underneath to the top. Turn the threading strap back over and thread between the rings. Pull snug and your strap won't slip. I am sure someone else could explain the threading a lot better than I have done! " from here

Thanks. I don't really want to have to cut or unpick the strap. If I cut it then I'll have to try and finish the ends well and being a novice it might be beyond me. Having torn some material when unpicking once, I'm really not keen to unpick the end. Thanks for the suggestion though.

My idea was to attach a toggle to the top of the strap and then a loop for the toggle to go into further down the strap. Does this sound really bad?

Sunshine12

Hi Shirl

I love your bags!! I was going to attempt but not used to using a tutorial without step by step pictures. Was it quite easy or do you think its best to wait until Im more experienced. TBH I cant really figure out which pieces go where!! Wanted to do something for my niece who is 7 and your post link is the only one I can see that might be appropriate for that age as other bags seem too big. Hope you find a way to shorten your straps. Bags look fab!!

shirlgirl2004

Sunshine12 wrote: »

Hi Shirl

I love your bags!! I was going to attempt but not used to using a tutorial without step by step pictures. Was it quite easy or do you think its best to wait until Im more experienced. TBH I cant really figure out which pieces go where!! Wanted to do something for my niece who is 7 and your post link is the only one I can see that might be appropriate for that age as other bags seem too big. Hope you find a way to shorten your straps. Bags look fab!!

TBH you couldn't be less experienced than me. It was fairly easy to do. There were a few points where I did the head scratching thing but I just did what I thought it meant and it turned out OK. If you were looking at lining it then I found this helped. I used the second method. I did a lot of putting it together and then turning it the right way to check it looked OK but I guess that's just an inevitable lack of confidence.