Have you seen these bags!?!?!
By Betsi Beem, guest blogger and huge fan of CQW!
It seems like every time I show up to a sewing class or show, someone is carrying one of these fabulous bags. They are THE accessory for anybody who is anybody! They are designed by the talented Miriam Jones and she offers workshops for making them. In fact, there is one coming up at CQW on Saturday 30 June!
There is so much to love about the design and construction of these bags. The pattern is so amenable to interpretation.
From Sandy’s beautifully Japanese inspired bag with sashiko panels…
… to eye popping panels from Tula Pink’s Tabby Road line.
Miriam has also featured fabrics using Miss Chiff designs from Spoonflower. (There is soooo much to love about Spoonflower, isn’t there!).
Miriam’s bags feature an inside zippered pocket where you can sew in a ‘sweet surprise’ lining to give your bag that extra bit of WOW…and make you smile whenever you zip it open.
Having made heaps of her own bags and taught so many workshops, Miriam really knows what works. She recommends Soft and Stable ByAnnie wadding to give the bags the stability, yet softness that makes them so lovely to use.
Using professional handles gives the bags a lovely finished look… Miriam also notes that if you select clip on handles like these from Studio Mio you get the added bonus of being able to make several tote bag shells and only need one pair of handles to transfer across bags. How clever is that!
I am so looking forward to her workshop at CQW on 30 June so I can make my own tote and be just as stylish as my friends in the sewing sisterhood!
See you there!