2024 – 2025 Guild Challenge

Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag

Leslie B. and Susan G., our guild Display and Competition co-chairs presented this year’s Guild Challenge at the October Virtual Tuesday.  

It is simple, the “Rules” are:

  1. Sign the Pledge Form, in one of these 3 options
  2. Make your Brand New Bag
  3. Bring your bag to the May 20th, 2025 guild meeting
  4. Enjoy the commemorate bag charm, designed and made by Brian G.

To add to the fun of the challenge and have an opportunity to collaborate with your friends and guild mates, consider one of the following possibilities discussed:

  1. Organize a group of your quilty besties to make round robin bags. Each member of the group ends up with a bag incorporating a contribution by every other member.
  2. Repurpose and recycle – use up orphan blocks or left over elements from other projects – see the Frankenbag link below. Do you have an abandoned UFO that can be turned into a bag? How about your blocks from the Mini-Mod swap? Did you try your hand at a Kawandi stitching project that could be the basis for a bag?
    1. **This Link will take you to Sujata Shah’s class page where she gives an overview of her Kawandi inspiration and technique.
    2. **This Link is the PDF from our earlier Virtual Tuesday session in 2022.
  3. Make a self-portrait bag and see if your fellow members can identify you? Be inspired bythe work of the late Freddy Moran and others.
  4. Your bag could have photos printed on it. A number of options were discussed, includingusing Spoonflower or a local screen printing location. If you have a recent screen printingrecommendation, do share.
  5. You could make a Quilt As You Go bag and practise your free motion quilting skills whilepreparing to shop.

The Inspiration

The following patterns and tutorials were reviewed in the slideshow by members who have sampled them. Additional internet links and notes are detailed below

Free, Internet Tutorials

  1. Mondo Bag by Carol Thelan, QuiltNotes Learning Center
  2. Frankenbag Tutorial by AgileJack blogger
  3. Ikea Rag Rug Tutorial by The Stitch Studio
  4. Chubby Tote by SOTAK Handmade
  5. Tote Bag, 2 sizes by Apple Green Cottage
  6. Spare Block Quilted Tote by Ben Millett
  7. Hobo Bag by Hello Sewing
  8. Our Favorite Tote by Ruby Star Society (Barb K. used this tutorial found in the spring2024 issue of Canadian Quilter magazine)
  9. DIY Reversible Shoulder Bag by EasyToSew (very clever burrito style construction andfinishing!)
  10. Japanese Knot Bag by Sew Very Easy, Laura Ann Coia
  11. Best 1⁄2 Yard Tote EVER by Gingercakes
  12. The Tote Tute by Poppyprint, Krista Hennebury (She sells a licensed version for homeproduction re-selling.)
  13. 13. 3 Fabric, 10 Step Tote by The Inspired Wren (She does sell a PDF version for 1.99$, but the information is all available on the website) This tote has a unique and sturdy method of attaching the straps in a clean finish.
  14. 14. Go and Grow Bag, by Sew Very Easy, Laura Ann Coia 15. Easy Zippy Pouch, Dog Under My Desk

    Recommended Patterns for purchase
  15. Aunties Two – FreePort Gatherer Pattern, Jelly Roll Rag Rug type of shopping tote
  16. The Cutting Edge Bag by Cotton Street Commons
  17. Sun Tote Pattern by Chalk & Notch, note: it is FREE with a newsletter subscription
  18. 6 Pack Stack Tote by Whistlepig Creek Productions

Well written, comprehensive tutorial libraries, with lots of bag-making information:

  1. Sew4Home – so many bag patterns!
  2. The Inspired Wren – Bag Tutorials, and lots more
  3. SOTAK Handmade – several tote styles and tutorials about zippers and bag sewing
  4. TipNut – List of fabric, grocery shopping tote bags

I have a Notion!

What do all bags need? Closures, straps, pockets, etc; in other words, “notions”. Here are some of the options used by our members to source these various notions.

Zippers (These sources have all the bag making hardware you can possibly need!)

  • ●  Zippers by the yard – Zipper Valley (based in Toronto)
  • ●  Among Brenda’s Quilts & Bags (based in Ontario)
  • ●  Another Canadian source: Emmaline Bags
  • ●  And one more source for EVERYTHING: Wawak.ca Straps and Handles
  • ●  Plain webbing with custom fabric sewn on to match
  • ●  Recycled belts, leather or decorative webbing
  • ●  Interfaced with sturdy canvas, which can be purchased by the foot from DeSerresart department in a variety of thicknesses
  • ●  Rope
  • ●  Leftover batting scraps also make a comfortable bag handle lining
  • ●  Purchased Handles: Fabric Spark has a fabulous selection!! Snaps & Buttons

● Leather Sewing Supply Depot – They have ALL the tools and options and … it is overwhelming, but they will have it.

Drawstring Ties

  • ●  Selvedge edges folded and sewn to the desired width, makes a thinner 3-plystrap since the selvedge edge can be on the exterior.
  • ●  Shoelaces
  • ●  Twill tape
  • ●  Cording

Architecture

** Don’t forget to consider re-using notions from worn out items, or inexpensive, used items. Thrift stores, or from the back of your own closet; many items have many notions that are reusable. Often the strap or hardware connections or zippers are the longest lasting part of many duffles, leashes, purses, etc. and can be easily removed with a sharp seam ripper and some patience. **

We also discussed lots of topics regarding bag structure – Soft, floppy and foldable or rigid, strong and sturdy? Each bag requirement is different and here are some ideas for building a bag to suit your needs.

  • ●  Corrugated plastic base, with the corners covered to protect your bag insides (try Walmart, Staples, Michaels)
  • ●  Plastic tray inserts (Dollarama has lots of options.)
  • ●  Plastic canvas
  • ●  Wet/Dry Fabric is called PUL (Polyurethane Laminated) Fabricville has a selection tolook through and learn more about this substrate.
  • ●  If you are worried that your home machine is not up to the challenge of sewing thickhandles, seams or materials, Stitch It, with several locations in Toronto, wasrecommended as a local tailor to help out.
  • ●  Quilt as you go, bag panels for strength and structure, from Elizabeth Hartman
  • ●  Using denim from recycled Blue Jeans, from SOTAK Handmade
  • ●  The softer, unlined, bags often use a french seam to prevent fraying but keep the bagfrom becoming too thick to fold and store. Here is a french seam tutorial, from Craftsy.
  • ●  Boxing Corners is the technique often used to make a tote bag have depth for ease ofuse, or to easily open wide.
  • ●  No one says that all bags have to be rectangles. TYTKA Studio has all shapes, sizesand pocket options, prepare to be surprised.
  • ●  Nor do bags have to be simple or plain. Roberts Woods Kits is a british designer offeringpatterns with unique and beautiful bag designs.