Feltedhandbag Workshop - patterns via PDF on ebay.co.uk

This might be new news. Heck it may even be old news. But it is definitely good news. The Feltedhandbag workshop are now selling their amazing felted bag patterns via PDF on Ebay.co.uk. YAY!

Yes I know they've been selling their patterns for some time now (see their blog), but there's something psychological about being able to buy these patterns via your local hangout - in my case Ebay! Every transaction on Ebay is another boost for my profile afterall!

The patterns cost $8 each which is less than £4 sterling at the moment. A bargain!

For those of you not familiar with their work, the Felted Handbag Workshop have brought us some wonderful bags over the past few years, some of which are available for free on blogland, such as:

Little Slip of a Thing which was published in Knitty's Fall '06 issue, The Balloon Bag (an excellent starter pattern) and also the Little Coco Bag, all of which I've made or attempted during my knit-to-felt craze last year.

My favourites at the moment are the Felted Entrelac bag and the Felted Modular Triangles bag. Guess that's something else I can add to my Thingmas wishlist. :) :) :)

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Swap: first Craftster swap finished!

I've just finished my commitment on my first Craftster swap - the 'I want what I can't make' swap. It's been torture making things and not being able to share them on here for fear of being found out. It wasn't a secret swap so my pal knew everything about me and I had to keep my gifts on the DL.

So, here's the things I made for my pal. I had a really great time making them and learned some great new techniques in the process. Enjoy!!

BAGSKET: made in canvas and lined with calico. The drawstring top is part of a recycled linen blend fabric. The tutorial for making the bagsket are available on Foofangle with links to the original designer. The embroidery pattern is one of many that is available free on Knitting-And.com.

NEEDLE ROLL: made in canvas and lined in calico (as the bagsket), panel of Amy Butler's Lotus on the front and edged with blue grosgrain ribbon.

MINI QUILT: the flower fairy is a design taken in a book at home (title to follow). I embroidered the fairy onto a piece of recycled white fabric. I felt bad sending just the embroidered panel to my pal so I made it into this little quilt or wall hanging. I'm not entirely happy with it as a quilt but what the hey!

FABRIC POSTCARD: Fabric scraps, heavyweight interfacing, zig zag stitch on my trusty old Singer 507.

FABRIC FLOWER: made using my treasured & favourite fabrics - the tutorial is available on Mollychicken. It's a very simple concept but every scrap of fabric is used up - I even used the very last strip of fabric to make the flower fairy's skirt.

FLOWER FAIRY: made the same as all my other fairies, the hair is mohair that has been twisted around wooden skewers which were immersed in hot boiling water and then freezing cold water. Once the yarn was dry, unwind the yarn from the skewers and you'll have lovely curly doll hair! The skirt is made using the leftover fabric from the fabric flower above.

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Sewing: Bags & Pouches from recycled dress & trousers

What can you make with the shirt off your husbands back, a dress and an old pair of pink cargo pants?

Handy little pouches and a hobo bag. I kid you not! The fabric used to make these items was recycled from a Laura Ashley dress and a pair of pink trouser type thingies! The red lining in the pouches is from one of Mr CBs shirts (it was never actually on his back, he never wore it at all)!!!

The little pouches are pretty nifty. They are a lovely size for holding small projects or toiletries, makeup, and even a potted plant! I place a small bag of dried lavender from the garden in one and hang it on the desk near the window where I'm working. Ahhhhhhh.....

I also made this hobo bag (top right) using the same floral dress and the pink fabric. I'm very pleased with the lovely 'dusky' shades in these two fabrics. I wish I had more.... :(

The bright tote bag (left) is made from a big piece of fabric I recently purchased off e-bay for a couple of quid. It looks like it might have been a duvet cover in a previous life but I'm not 100% sure.

Anyway, it made a nice roomy tote for Little Miss CB to take on her hols to Spain. I added a lime green panel on either side of the bag and lined it with some bright yellow fabric from my stash (yes I do have a fabric stash!)

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Sewing: Sock Bag, Paris Cats fabric

Here's the second sock bag/tote which I made using the 'Paris Cats' fabric. The colours are poorly represented here but I can tell you that they are lush - black shoes, accessories (& of course cats) printed onto a cream background, with tones of pink and green in alternating squares.

This is a soft bag and is ideal for tucking away when not in use. It has a rectangular base and can carry a small project. It is fully lined in a coordinating fabric and there are 6 pockets for DPNs, scissors, pens, etc...

BAG FRONT & BASE


BAG LINING WITH CONTENTS FOR SIZE GUIDE

The bag is destined for Piglottie, and will be included in a sock yarn auction in August over on the Crafty Threads 'n Yarns forum. The auction is part of Piglottie's efforts to raise money for a charity called the Rainbow Trust.

The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity provides practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.

Enjoy!

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