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Welcome to Made Down South! Thanks for stopping by to see what I'm up to. This blog serves as my review of projects accomplished since I have way too many that are halfway done. I also tend to have so many urgent ideas where I simply have stop all else to work on the newest thing. So, this blog will show all the ideas that actually get made into stuff! Some of that stuff is available for sale at our etsy shop, Down South Designs.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

First the fabric, then the project

 So I fell in love with the fabric first then decided I had to make something with it.  That yellow, black and gray just spoke to me and I had to have it.  Since it was half off $9.99 regular price at Hancock's Fabric, I splurged and bought 1/2 yard not knowing exactly what to do with it.  Of course, now I wish I had bought a couple of yards.  I wondered what awesome creation I could come up with but ultimately cycled back to my favorite old pattern, the skirt bag I designed a few years ago.  This time, I tried to make a smaller version of it.  So, instead of being able to tote a small child, it can hold a small watermelon :)
 I called this a skirt bag because the top band reminded me of how my Momma taught us to sew waistbands for skirts.  You made a little gap below the band which allowed the skirt to open up wider to slide over the hip area.  Nifty huh?  Anyhow, I found it's handy for a bag that can go from empty to overflowing in a very short time at the flea market!  
The buttons along the top are pretty but they serve a purpose too.  I can adjust the way the bag closes by moving the buttonhole over to the next button. Voila!   I also tried out a new idea for the handles using a 3" wide black cotton webbing strap.  It sure feels sturdy like I could probably haul 2 watermelons if I wanted to! I will probably make another one to sell in craft fairs or our Etsy shop, Down South Designs.  Check it out!


 I am participating in link parties at Threading My Way, Nifty Thrifty Things Chatty Chics , Be Different..Act NormalFunky Junk InteriorsCraft EnvyGinger Snap CraftsSouthern LovelyNot Just A HousewifeThe Shabby Creek Cottage Savvy Southern Style and Petals to Picot

12 comments:

Kara at Petals to Picots said...

I absolutely LOVE this bad! It came out awesome! I would love for you to share it at my "Best of 2011" link party, along with any other posts you are most proud of from this year, at www.petalstopicots.com
~Kara :)

Kara at Petals to Picots said...

I love the fabric strip flowers too! Thank you for sharing at my link party! I'm following you too :)

samaa said...

Casandra, this is so fabulous!! I adore the fabric (loving the yellow!!) and the button idea is just the most ingenious thing ever! As you could tell from my blog I'm not really a sewer, but that doesn't mean I don't recognize talent when I see it :) You're awesome! Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my blog too, I'm going to take a look around to see if there's something here I can manage :)

samaa said...

Hmm, I couldn't figure out how to comment on your previous posts :) I love your flowers, I'm going to give it a try :) Glue sounds much easier than sewing!

Sweetwater Style said...

Thanks for the comment about my table...My latest reuse is cutting up a pair of leather pants from goodwill for mitten :) Bet you could do that with your bags. I am a new follower...love your stuff!

Chatty Chics said...

Girl, you are so stinkin' talented. This is absolutely adorable! Thank you for linking up. Be sure to come over again tomorrow at my place. You will want to. Promise.
Melody
ChattyChics.com

Jennifer said...

Awesome fabric and I love the style/shape of bag!! Surely you can still get some more fabric!
Thanks for sharing at Show & Share!
Featuring your lovely bag in tomorrow's party! :)

Deidre~ said...

Hey there Casandra,Congratulations on your win! I think I won too but what and how do I collect my win? HELP:)) thanks Deidre~

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Very clever design!!! It's a great idea to be able to adjust via the buttons. You have designed and created a fantastic bag. I'd love you to share this at my linky that's exclusively for bags and totes... http://threadingmyway.blogspot.com/2012/01/threading-your-way-bags-and-totes-link.html

UKMUMINUSA said...

OMG I absolutely love the fabric you used for this bag, I hope it is still available at Hancocks, guess I need a shopping trip! TFS

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

Wow! I reaally love that bag! Let me know when you post it on Etsy. Thanks for sharing!

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

PS I am featuring this at this weeks link up.