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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Making green bags




My mom moved into a retirement community last year. She didn't have quite as much room there as she did in her two bedroom apartment. So, some choices needed to made on what to keep and what could go....
I kept a lot of the clothes she no longer needed. I held on to them until now in case she changed her mind. Now it is time to begin to re-purpose some of the clothes. I started with a jacket that caught my eye.
And a blouse, I thought would sort of match.

I love the embroidery details and the colors of this jacket but the sleeves were a little worn and the jacket itself was too short for me. I've been wanting to make a Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl Designs. Here is the bag I made.

I had a handle on the bag but the color wasn't quite right. I need to find a better color for the strap. I want a long strap rather than a short purchased handle, I think I will be more likely to use it that way. I added quite a lot of quilting to the body of the bag, so it took longer to make than I expected. I really like how it turned out.

My daughter wants one too, I think I have enough of the embroidered fabric left. She thought I could mix her's with a blue or green from the embroidery. I may have to purchase a matching color of fabric but the main body of it will be from her Grandma's closet. Isn't that a fun way to re-purpose clothing.

Have a creative day
Janet

12 comments:

Debra Svedberg said...

Gorgeous!

Stephanie Forsyth said...

I love this Janet! And your quilting looks awesome! What a neat embroidered fabric - I always see stuff like that at Goodwill but never buy it because it's not something I'd wear..but now I may have to think twice! :)

Thanks for sharing this!

suzanengler said...

Great idea! I need to try this out.

SewThankfulTracy said...

Janet, your Miranda Bag is GORGEOUS!!! What a lovely way to re-purpose your Mom's clothing and keep her close to you.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Great idea and love, love, LOVE the bag!

arlene said...

I luv your bag! you did a beautiful job and what a wonderful idea!
I have one dress of my mother's - (30 yrs ago) it's green chinese silk and I still have hopes that some day I will find something special to use it for.....she was a beautiful seamstress....
thanks for sharing
hugs
arlene f

Joan Hawley said...

Oh be still my heart! Janet, your Miranda is fantastic. Using your mom's clothes makes this Miranda so special. Great job!

butrfly2200 said...

What a great bag. Nice job and a great idea too.
Interested to see what you end up using for the handle.

Dolores said...

Hi Janet,
I think it's a great idea to re-purpose things - especially clothing. Why don't you go to Jenny's blog and enter it in her August challenge? http://elefantz.blogspot.com/

wimbley said...

Heya, seeing that you enjoy using used clothes to make bags, I think you might be interested to read this blog:

http://www.woolybison.com/

Susan said...

Hello Janet,

I came to visit, from Jenny of ELEFANTZ, as you and I get mentioned in her "Re-Invention" Challenge.

I just love what you've done. I have so many blouses and jumpers with embroidery work on them, as I love it. So to see what you did with you mum's jacket, is just fantastic.

Regards,

Oh Sew Addicted said...

I stopped by from Jenny's blog and I love the bag you made. The fabric from the jacket is awesome! I love it! Perhaps you will stop by and visit my blog. I am following yours now because any friend of Jenny's is a friend of mine!
carla louise
www.ohsewaddicted.com