More BurdaStyle Charlie Bag ideas!
January 26, 2011 by robiedodson
I think I mentioned that I was sending in an audition video for a small little segment on a PBS sewing show….if I didn’t, then here’s the mention. I did it – thanks to my sexy husband who woke up from a deep sleep to take my video with his iphone! It wasn’t awesome, I admit….but these CHARLIE BAGS sure are!!!
For the video, I demonstrated how to make it…and then, with the very small amount of time remaining, I showed a few ways you can embellish or personalize the bags. The options are literally endless, but I thought I’d share those with you. Mostly because I know good and well that I will almost never remember to actually take these shopping with me, so someone’s got to see them, right!?!
This one is Ellie's new sleepover / napmat bag. It's going to be huge in her hands and I really like that!
For the "E" - I cut out a piece of the green fabric into the shape of an E. (I did this freehand b/c E's are pretty straightforward! for a complicated letter, maybe you should print out an enlarged letter onto paper for the template.) Then, I fused it to a piece of felt with iron-on paper. I trimmed the felt, and then stitched it to one side of the bag - BEFORE sewing the two sides together. I put a row of stitching around just the black, and I added a second row of stitching around the green.
This is a reversible Charlie Bag!
side 2 - gosh, I love those fabrics! I also have a cape made from this exact duo. hmmm, I need to post that, don't I!?
For the reversible bag, I made two identical bags but left the sides/handles unfinished. Put them wrong sides together, and then attach with seam tape/bias tape.
I call this one The Sam Moon bag....it seems like the flowers on Sam Moon bags just keep getting bigger and bigger! (on the video, I called it the Dallas bag, but don't tell anyone i said that!)
This one is the "boutique bag"...which follows my motto that "you're never fully dressed without a ruffle". Made from gorgeous Joel Dewberry fabric that I've had lurking in my stash for a year.!
Cost…it varies by bag, except, of course, they’re all CHEAP! Each bag takes right at 1 yard of fabric. More is required if you’re adding ruffles, flowers, appliques, etc.
For the Sam Moon bag – I used IKEA fabric I found on clearance for $1.99/yd.
The rest of the bags are made from Michael Miller fabrics that I purchased wholesale on sale…for $2.75/yd!
Time required…
no more than hour – mostly 8 to 20 minutes! hollah!
If you’re looking for the pattern, just click the link at the top of this post..it will take you to my earlier post with the link to the FREE PATTERN!
Oh I love these. Especially the reversible one.
I love the bags absolutely digging the ‘Moon’ & ‘Boutique’ bags. I also love when lil’ ones carry oversized bags(without all of the stuff!)
Thanks for sharing:)
SO CUTE! I LOVE the print on the flowered one 🙂 They look amazing 🙂
I also love the dress you photographed them with! It would be so great for your store for spring (hint 😉
Awesome Robie!! Luv them and am going to crank some out! Thx