Commission for Deb and Tim

Before Christmas, the house move and the best holiday we have had as a family yet, I made my first ever unisex nappy bag. It was quite a fun process, so I thought I would share some of it.

It all began with an email out of the blue from all the way over in WA…. Deb wanted a bag that both her and her husband were happy to carry. She liked the Phoenix Files Bags shape and colour palette (although wanted to see some other ideas for colour), but wanted to make sure it was still ‘male enough’ for her Tim.

Blue/ grey Combo

Black/Avocado combo.

Red/Black/White/Grey Combo.

Tan/Brown Combo.

School Tie combo.

I emailed her a number of tie combinations. They settled on the black and avocado greens combination. To make sure it wasn’t t too feminine we stayed away from florals, paisleys and shiny ties. After we decided on the colour-way Deb cleared out her husbands wardrobe and asked if it were possible to upcycle one of his shirts for the lining.

The shirt was a King Gee style one made for a church men’s weekend away. The shirt had special memories for Tim but wasn’t something he wore. It didn’t yield quite enough fabric for the lining alone….so I added some ikea fabric from my stash.

Here’s what we ended up with.

Finished Nappy Bag with Change Mat.

Bag back....

...change mat.

Deb also wanted lots and lots of pockets.

Pockets for wipes, wallet, diary and notebooks, bottles and creams and of course nappies.

She also requested a special hook for her keys so that she wasn’t constantly searching for her keys at the bottom of the bag.

Inside looked like this.

Lots and lots of pockets. Open and zippered.

Button on key holder.

One of the more obviously telling details of the nappy bag are the side bottle pockets. I enjoyed getting my head around shaping these without compromising the given shape of the tie too much.

The strap is adjustable so as to be able to lengthen it for going over the handles of a pram or stroller and then shorten it again for carrying on the shoulder. I used a reclaimed computer-bag shoulder pad for extra comfort.

Right bottle pocket ...

Left bottle pocket.

Shoulder pad.

After I posted the bag off I received this lovely email from Deb’s husband Tim.

Hi Ally,

This is Tim (Deb’s husband) here.

Just wanted to say a massive thankyou for your superb work with our new ‘man-friendly’ nappy bag! It’s sooooo cool

The incorporation of my King Gee shirt is really, really nice as that was the camp uniform for a men’s retreat that I organised while I was working for church (it was a huge hit and really had a tangible impact on the friendships between the guys). So, needless to say, I am stoked at that memory being interwoven with the practicalities of caring for my precious girls!

Tim.

I really enjoyed making this one.

Anyone else need a nappy bag?

Another Penhall!

Silvery grey Penhall..... with floral lining.

I’ve just posted this new one on etsy

It’s the second promised bag made using the colours inspired by you. You can see the green and blue version here.

I’m loving it, and was glad of the opportunity to put a silver grey bag together….as I have been wanting to use this colour combo for a while.

So thanks…..

The repositional rosette....

....and the back.

...the oval base with pleats...

The bag is also completely reversible. The other side is lined with a liberty-esque floral in blue green and grey tones with a touch of pink….so it’s a bit girlie.

...a peek at the inside....

Commission for Jenny: Bible cover

Front cover with journal pocket..... look closely from the green button to the top.

My latest commission was a really lovely one for me to be part of.

Jenny’s daughter made her profession of faith* last weekend and this is her gift.

It’s a bible cover!

I know some of you who are right now scratching your head in confusion….. and saying “Why cover your bible and give it handles?” Well the reason is when bibles are taken to and from church week after week they don’t last long…so some Christians cover them and make them easy to carry so that they last longer…. and look cooler.

Zipper enclosing pages

...other side

I’m so happy with the way this one has turned out….especially as I haven’t made one before.

It completely made from her late grandfather’s ties, which her wore mostly on Sundays as he preached to his congregation. So it is so special.

Jenny said:

So special! I think there may have been a few quiet tears shed. She has been discovering all the little special parts – pockets and hand-stitching  and thinking of all the things she can use the different pockets for.

inside back....with hidden slip pocket....

Front inner flap....with hidden pocket.

...the other side....or back.

* profession of faith: a public commitment to be a follower of Jesus always.

Yes!….Steph’s bag was featured on 30 projects 30 days.

Steph's 'Ultimate Custom Purse'

This one was lots of fun to make!

Yesterday I posted about something harrysdesk that was featured on 30 projects in 30 days.

This was it.

If you missed it you can check out the original post with more photos here and on Steph’s blog.

 

 

 

Commission for Sue….again.

Inside... lots of card slots.

About a month ago I made my first of these wallets for Sue. 

It was for a gift.

She then straight away wanted another…. this time for herself.

If you look very closely, you will see in the stitching I have included little ‘kisses’. Sometimes single kisses…and sometimes a bunch together. I also mixed up the colours in the handstitching….to add a bit of excitement.

Outside zippered pocket. Notice the 'kiss' on the harrysdesk label.

Covered elastic closure.

Still trying to come up with a better way to photograph these…. not that happy with the pictures.

Commission for Chrissie

Deep red with a touch of navy and silver...... a Wheaton.

Notice the vintage vintage car buttons.

Recessed zipper.

Inside zip pocket.

Adjustable leather strap.

Big book pocket.

Commission for Tom

 

The combination of fabrics before piecing.

This was a super exciting project to do for a couple of reasons…

1. Tom is my first ever customer commission via etsy.
2. It was the first commission I have made using a mix of fabrics (not ties) given to me from the client and fabrics I found to go with it. This was a little scary at first, because you just never know what the reclaim world is going to have for you at any given time… let alone to a deadline.
3. Although I haven’t met Tom, we have emailed often through the process of the bag making, and he was always really encouraging and full of energy.
4. The bag is for his wife Ciara for their second wedding anniversary, the theme cotton…. and it is a surprise! Sweet.

What’s not to like?

Here’s the finished bag…..

 

Made from authentic Scottish tartan and reclaimed ties.

 

Owl brooch close-up.

Inside. Owl fabric from Tom. Pocket made from reclaimed cargo pants.

Bottom with gorgeous green shank buttons.

 

I included 2 owls as a surprise. One for each of them on their 2nd anniversary.

Commission for Sue

Upcycled wallet front .... complete with matching owl brooch

...coin zipper... other side

Inside... many card pockets...

...other inside...

Commission by Sue as a gift for Heidi

… and, like the bags and other things I usually make, the wallet is made from men’s neckties and lined with reclaimed textiles.

The design was taken fairly literally from a sample I was given. I’d like to try some with some changes, but we will see.

There are more of these to come… Sue wants one for herself now.

Commission Complete: A bag for Alison

Alison's black Wheaton.

This was a fun one to make, and a great way to start the new year.

Alison’s husband commissioned it to give as a wedding anniversary gift. Nice one!

The strap is adjustable and made from a belt.

It’s made from a mixture of vintage and modern ties, in black, navy and white.

Detailing with brass shank buttons and rings.

Cathy do you recognise these buttons?

Yes, they came from a bundle of buttons she salvaged from one of her local op shops.

They are gorgeous and almost look like studs.

Just right for this bag.

Inside…..

….and Lyndal might recognise this lining fabric…

Over the Christmas break I was given a suitcase full of fabric treasures from Lyndal.

The suitcase had a code lock, that I couldn’t break…. so after trying for a number of days…. I took to it with a hammer!

I am glad I did, because the treasures inside were worth it. Including this black, grey and bronze ticking.

… again, just perfect for the lining of this one….

 

Dani’s brooch. Which one will she choose?

The 'Bronte' with original tag brooch.

My friend Dani’s husband bought her this bag for her birthday recently.

She loved the bag but wasn’t convinced of the black and white tag brooch…. so I have made a few different ones for her to choose from, so her bag will be exactly right.

Which one do you think she will choose?

Tag brooch 1. The red buckle ribbon brooch.

Tag brooch 2. Grey and red button rosette brooch.

Tag brooch 3. Silver buckle tag brooch.

Tag brooch 4. The metallic button brooch.

Close ups.

…or maybe she wants  a rosette…. I will show you those soon.

Tag 1

Tag 2.

Tag 3.

Tag 4.