Sunday, 10 October 2010

The Story of a Bag or Four.

Hello you shiny people.
Here are the two bags I've just finished making with the last of that pretty green and pink check fabric that I had in my stash.
I originally bought it to make myself a short straight skirt to wear with woolly tights and boots many moons ago when I was much thinner, my children a lot younger and sewing time much more elusive!
Here is the back view.
Obviously sewing time was TOO elusive back then and the skirt never got made!
The fabric stayed folded in the box, cupboard, drawer, wardrobe, all of its various homes over the years, only occasionally taken out to be stroked and caressed and then carefully replaced again.
But now it's been given it's day!
Matched up with pretty lining fabrics, appliqued and decorated and made into four pretty and unique MarmaladeRose handbags.
And I have enjoyed making them! Each on slightly different.

The first two were snaffled by a couple of lovely friends a few months ago. That's such a lovely warm feeling to realise that other people actually like what you make, that someone else 'gets' your style, your love of fabric and colour! That someone else appreciates the care, love and time that went into making it. But best of all that someone else is hopefully going to love it and get the pleasure of seeing it every day.

This is the third.
This is the cherry on the cake! Someone like it enough from a blog picture to want one before they had even seen the real thing, they desired my work enough to wait for their very own bag to arrive without even knowing what the lining would be like or how it would feel in their hands!

and the last one...
well, I couldn't part with all of that lovely fabric after cossetting it for all those years could I?
.
Now feeling a little embarrassed and hoping you don't think I'm completely bonkers over a piece of fabric. lol
love Fi x





35 comments:

Annie said...

The bags are gorgeous, I can see why they have been so popular. I am pleased you managed to keep one for yourself though and can enjoy the lovely fabric, just right for autumn.
Ann x

Rachel in Odd Sock House said...

Hi, can I join your 20 minuters!! I am doing a textile degree so I am definately crafting for 20 minutes a day plus I am always knitting!! Hope its not too late to join!!! Rachel xxx

Love the bags!!!

KC'sCourt! said...

Wow! They are gorgeous and like Annie said glad you kept one for your self.
Julie xxxxxxx

Nina O'Brien said...

These are gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

I adore your bags - I think they are my favourite things that you make. They are totally unique and beautifully made! Those colours and fabrics look fantastic together. That is what I would make if I had the vision (I have the sewing skills). I know I would never have come up with this bag or any of your others, yet I do feel they are totally 'me'. Lucky people who are getting one - you did the only thing to do in keeping one of these for yourelf!
Siobhan

The Patchwork Heart said...

I love the top right one with the green buttons, you are so clever!
Heather x

Pene said...

I'm not surprised you kept the last one, they are lovely. I'm sure if you'd made a dozen they would have all sold too as I defin ately would have had one. Love you blog you're very inspirational.
Pene x

melanie said...

oh wow, these bags are simply goreous! I love them :) xxx

Lululiz said...

Dang, those bags are scrummy yummy gorgeous. I wish I could make bags, I just have this mental block about the lining, sigh. I need somebody to show me how to do these things, lol.

It is really nice that you have kept one of those 4 for yourself. Can you imagine how funny it would be walking along one day and spotting somebody with one of the other bags, and you could smile at the lady and say, look, I got one as well, I actually made them!

Mariângela Maciel said...

Oi amiga
Lindas!!!!!!maravilhosas!!!!
Beijinhos^_^

The Weaver of Grass said...

You either have a lifelong love affair with fabric, or threads, or you don't - depends on who you are I suppose. I have fabric I have had for years and I just take it out and look at it and put it away again, so know what you mean.

Lovely bags Fiona.

Carol said...

Oh they are so lovely. What a sensible idea to keep the last one for yourself after all those years of keeping the fabric safe.
Just this morning I was looking at some lengths of wool (tweedy) in the loft and thinking........ I should make something with this. Don't want to rush it though, after all I've only had it since 1968!

Marigold Jam said...

Not bonkers at all I'd say. Lovely bags and I am sure they will be well loved by all their new owners. I am glad you kept one for yourself and how much more useful than a short skirt it will be!!

Jane

inmykitchen said...

The bags are truly beautiful you very clever lady.in

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Such lovely and unique bags!
Susan x

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful, it's not surprising they're so popular!!
You're just right to keep one for yourself after all that hard work!! :)
Vivienne x

Booklinks said...

Love the faric,
and you made such gorgeous bags out of it!

Maggie Ann said...

I like that...everything has its day. I think we all have treasures that lay 'in waiting'.

sylviesgarden said...

I'm so glad that you are keeping one for yourself, they are beautiful. The fabric is sooooo lovely, no wonder you kept it for so long.
x

Annie said...

Love your bags Fi. Clever you.
A x

BALLET NEWS said...

LOVE them - the colours and shape are FAB

Just-Do said...

This is so recognizable to me; buying some beautiful fabric to sew something out of, and then not having the time to actually do that. Taking the fabric out of its box/closet/drawer or whatever place it may be in, admiring it, and then, sadly, putting it back.
But it is certainly not recognizable to take it out after a long period of time and make something so GORGEOUS out of it. You are so talented and creative. Those bags are just stunning, and I can completely understand the lady who ordered one without ever having seen 'the real thing'.

Anonymous said...

I think they are beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on your commission xxx

petals and vintage said...

I love your bags - especially these ones. I understand and share your emotional passion for fabric. I am a bit the same.

I have so much I have collected over the years but never have the 'right' one for a particular project! Then buy more!

Ha, the love of fabric- it's good for the soul.

Pam x

Jak said...

The bags are rather georgeous, I can understand why you would want to save one for yourself. I have fabric in my stash going back 30 odd years and still get it out and stroke/admire it occasionally.
Jak x

Gorgeous Things said...

Amazing bags - you are very talented! I love your free machine embroidery - I am going to have a look at your tutorial and see if my machine will let me have a go.
Gorgeous x

Sandi said...

Gorgeous bags Fi, and I know what you mean about fabric, I have had a 'piece' of fabric for probably 30 years, can't part with it and won't make anything with it, I just love looking at the color.
xx Sandi

Twiglet said...

Yes, I think you will find most sewing folk will have a cupboard full of favourite fabric lengths - bought because we loved it and then savoured for many years before finally being used for something completely different to its original "purpose". The bags are really lovely!

Teje said...

These bags are really marvellous! You have great imagination and talent to combine different materials! I know that sometimes it can be impossible to leave piece of fabric if it has it's story! I have some from my mother and I just save them not knowing what could be 'important' enough to make.
Best wishes Teje

Serenata said...

Bonkers? Of course you aren't! The bags are lovely with a gorgeous choice of contrasting materials. Glad you kept one for yourself!

Val said...

Just found your blog, and I have to say that I completely understand, I have fabric like that! I tend to buy a piece, and then keep it for at least a year for using, giving myself plenty of time to dream about it, stroke it, and generalyl act a bit batty over it. Right now my favorite is a blue and gray wool plaid, which I think will turn into a toasty warm jumper. Someday...

Photography said...

They are beautiful!

Alchamillamolly said...

Hi Fi thanks for the comment - been to see Dad today and he might be going off to a rehab place tomorrow, he was a lot better today and got out of bed on his own with a frame and went ot the loo by himself. So fingers crossed he may be home soon. Bought several thousand buttons at the auction on Friday and some bits to paint as we are branching out now to Hexham in November, so busy days ahead again!

Julia said...

Your work is so very beautiful, it doesn't surprise me that people want it!! Your bags are great, I love the design and the story behind the fabric!

Sending love
Julia x x x

Annie Jeffries said...

That purse is to die for. The fabric came to a very nice end. Doubt feel embarrassed. I hang on to things forever, much to my husband's dismay. Then I use it and smugly smile at him. LOL