Don't Bore Me To Death!

Some bags can be boring if you place them next to other bags. I mean 'boring' in the sense of you see this kind of bag everywhere; it doesn't have uniqueness.
Have you tried looking at bags in bag stores? To me it seems to be categorized into 2 kinds: the designer bags (or fakes), and the mass production bags. Now, of course mass production bags you see the same bags from china everywhere. But it's not what I'm saying. I'm not talking about the exact same design with just change of fabric. I'm not talking about one mass production bag designer that does the same; but about the fact that different designers making the same kind of bags that look like each other. Isn't that interesting? Many designers – same bags!

Now, the designer bags. Sometimes I'm amazed of their designs, and I love looking at them and learning from them. I believe they are the ones to look up to. Because although they make the same bags a few times so that we will all enjoy their beautiful bags, their designs are not boring. And even though they make the same style of bags (each with their own), each bag they bring to the world is different not only from their other bags, but also from the other designers.

A designer's greatness is determined by their creativity and their ability to stand out.
I'm not saying you have to make THE best bag in the world, but to make a bag that cannot be compared to others, originality wise. And make each bag a little different from the last one, while keeping the creativity in it.

Sometimes it's worth your time to sit down and come up with a design, a few – even better. It might take some time. Look for inspiration anywhere you can. Take a designer's bag and think what you would have done differently and how you would make it better and more original. This will also teach you how to think creatively.

The not boring bags are also depended on the fabrics and the use of them. Notice I said "the use of them". Because it's not all about finding the best and rare fabrics. That's really not the point. When I'm talking about boring, sometimes the combination of fabrics can be boring. Expectable. For example, if you want your main fabric to be a black and white fabric, it might be a little boring if you complete it with a solid black fabric. There is no excitement. That's why you might wanna consider completing the black and white with a fierce color. Even outrages, think outside the box and don't be afraid. Sometimes the most outrages things are the ones that stand out and get the attention, no matter how out there they might seem.

When thinking original, you need to think what could be done that hasn't been done. You need to invent things, so later on others will try to imitate you. But you will be the first.
However, I gotta add, not boring doesn't have to be the most original thing. It can be something that has been done before, but with an edge or a twist. It's how you use things – the materials, the order of them, the possibilities… you can do the same as someone else did, but make it your own. Take a design that seems boring and alter it into something special. Some take an already made bag that they don't really like, and alter it to their liking, so it won't be so boring. Like some do with jeans! It's also a great way to figure out what your style is, and also learn the possibilities of what can be done to something.

The definition of 'boring' overall is in the eyes of the viewer. Some also get bored fast (like me. That's why I change the blog design every few weeks! lol). So you need to think what excites YOU. Like with passion. Not all people share the same passion for something. But to those who do like the same passion, it excites. With bags, if someone has passion for them, they will be exited to see something exiting in the bags they get. Although some like a simple bag. And that's okay. But if you look at designer bags, they don't make regular seen before bags. They also combine their own style that they're recognized for. And the fact that it's a simple bag, doesn't mean it has to be boring. Here is your challenge. Make a bag that can be someone's passion from scratch, and excite them!

The Wishful Thinking Bag Tutorial

This bag has a magnetic snap closure in the flap, and rings in the strap. So prepare them!

You can print out this tutorial in a PDF file:
http://freepdfhosting.com/d320d4c252.pdf

1) Start with the pattern.
(If you need more help with the pattern making, go to:

http://www.creativecutie.com/2009/05/making-your-own-pattern.html

and: http://www.creativecutie.com/2010/01/patterns-part-2.html)

This is a 3 parts pattern. Cut the pattern according to the main measurements and as you see in the picture (this is folded in half):

And draw a line like you see in the picture above.

This is how it looks like when whole and laid out:

Keep it folded, and cut along the line you drew:

You will get this:

You can throw out one of the side parts, you will only need one of them and the middle part. These are the main body pieces. There are 2 pieces. But you need 3 - the 3rd will be the flap. This is next. Cut:

This is it for the pattern!
Now let's start with the bag itself!

2) Take the side pattern piece, and cut out 4 pieces for the sides from the main fabric – 2 for the left and 2 for the right.
Note: you can use the same pattern piece, just use each side of the pattern for each side.

3) Also, cut from another fabric 2 pieces of the middle part:

4) Cut out the flap pieces – 1 from the main fabric, and 1 from the lining fabric.
Note: I used the same fabric for both the lining and the middle pieces. You don't have to do the same as me!

5) Attach one half of the magnetic snap to the lining piece, 5cm from the bottom:

Optional: put on the interfacing.

6) Place the flap pieces right sides together and pin. Stitch all around, and leave a gap at the top part:

7) Turn inside out, press, close the gap (optional because it's not critical) and stitch it all the way around nicely. This is the flap from both views:

Done with the flap!

Optional: I used piping for this bag, but you don't have to. If you do, do it now, before attaching the pieces together:

8) Sew the pieces together - right sides together: the side pieces to the middle pieces:

Unfold and press nicely:

9) Put one of the full pieces you've just sewn on the lining fabric, mark around and cut. You'll need to do it twice:

10) Attach the other half of the snap to the bag's body, 6-7cm from the top:

11) Add interfacing.
Note: it can also be done before the previous step, depends on the interfacing you're using.

12) Make the strap. If you're using rings like in mine, make 2 more straps besides the main strap, shorter ones.
Note: I made the strap with 2 fabrics – one for each side of it, so keep in mind the seam allowance however you decide to make the strap!
First cut the 2 fabrics 6cm wide and decide on the length:

Place the 2 fabrics right sides together and sew it like you see in the picture below (sew all around except leave a gap in the middle):

Turn inside out through the gap, iron flat, and sew lengthwise, closing the gap by doing it:

Now the other 2 smaller parts. They will need to be about 4cm wide and shorter than the long one. Sew them like this:

Turn inside out and do the same as you did with the other strap piece.

Put together the whole strap unit like this, and sew:

13) Sew both exterior pieces together, right sides together, like this:

Note: notice that I didn't sew the triangle holes at the bottom!

14) Sew both lining pieces together as well, the same way, only this time leave a gap at the bottom.

15) Make boxing with the triangle holes at the bottom sides – bring the triangle's sides together, and sew both sides like this:

16) Pin the flap to the exterior, its face down and the magnetic snap closed (this way it'll be easier to work it). You need to sew it to the exterior's side where the other half of the snap is not on, like this:

17) Pin strap to the exterior's sides, face down, and sew:

18) Turn the lining inside out so that its right side will be facing outward.
Insert the lining into the exterior and align both to each other. Make sure the strap's ends and the flap are tucked in.
Now sew all around the top:

19) Reach into the lining and pull everything through the gap in the lining, turning it all inside out.

20) Sew the gap in the lining closed:

21) Tuck the lining into the exterior, iron the edges a bit and you can topstitch all around.

And you get this:

Done!

Cleaning Your Past

As you might guess, I didn't start making bags in the level that I am at today. And I'm still not done learning; I'm still far from all the biggest bag designers. My first bags weren't so great. They didn't have closure, or pockets or anything technical or witty. But you know what? Those first bags gave me a reason to be proud. I was so proud of them, and of myself. Because I really wanted to make bags, but had no knowledge or even drive before that.
If you don't know my story yet, I'll make it short… never seen a sewing machine up until 3 years ago, started working at a sewing workshop where I learned the most basic bag, and from there I grew. That was the prologue. I call it destiny, whether I believe it or not.

Anyway, I found the first bags of mine as a datum point. Still, I dreamt of the place I am at today. Where I know how to make things for bags and actually bring my vision to life. I knew it'd take time. And it did. I learned that patience means a lot. And a lot of hard work.

I look on people making their first bags and am certain that if they work hard enough and be willing to commit, they will get to the same place that I am at, and even farther. So I want you to know that it is possible to make it to places that look so far away at the moment. It used to look far away to me, that level. But I wanted to go on and grow. Being designer wasn't even in my mind back then. But it opened so many doors, emotionally, professionally and physically (physically because I wasn't crafting like that before, so I'm now working with my hands and create with them).

Although I look at my first bags and feel like throwing them away, burn them and give away for free because I'm pretty ashamed, people convince me not to clean up my past, and keep it all. Just so I could pick them up someday and even today, and say to myself: "look where I started out!" and that impresses me. Also gives me a certain good feeling. I don't want to get back there though. But there is no reason to ignore my past.

I admit that when I started creative bags, it was hard for me to come up with designs. It drove me crazy, actually. I had fabric stickers, stupid ribbons, beads, and all kinds of crappy things that I wouldn't even consider including in my bags today. And even with those crappies, I found it so hard planning a bag. However, once I finished placing them on the fabric, I was happy with the result.
I guess I didn't know much about bags back then. I mean, I loved bags, but didn't take the time to actually explore this subject. I knew what I liked, but didn't know why I liked it.

And today, it amazes me how many endless ideas I can come up with, without make it look cheesy. Not that it's that easy today. But I know more today. I am not what I used to be back then, and yet I savor the things that got me to this point. I mean, you have to start somewhere, right?
And one day, in the far future, if I decide to go on with it, I might look at the bags I'm making today and laugh at myself because they will seem so crappy to me. Weird, huh?

Dreaming of Dreams

Let's talk about dreams.
I'm known for my spaceyness. Always live in the future, always making plans, and dreaming big. Some of my dreams are not so realistic, but some are more. If you told me 5 years ago that I would be wanting to make bags and be a bag designer or a fashion designer, well… I did want to make bags for a few years before I actually started making them. But I didn't think I will be actually making them and get really into it, as it is such a big part in my life. It wasn't such a big dream like I had and still have today of being an actress, writer, author… I just thought: okay, make bags. I wasn't even thinking: I can make it big time. No. So I wasn't planning it, didn't work to get it. I mean, I went to auditions to become an actress; I wrote scripts and sent to contests and even made it to the finalist. And when I was little I wrote stories that I planned to publish one day as books. I really worked for all those dreams. But the bag designing just came upon me.

I always knew I wanted to do something creative, arty, to design or create something out of nothing. The art gene is in the family, from my dad's side. I love the feeling of make something. There were no bag designing plans. Until I came to my current workplace and the doors just got open.

But I have not yet to reach my dreams. I think the path is still long. And I'm hopping that at least one of my dreams comes true. But then, I'm afraid that once I get my dreams come true, I will have nothing to work for, nothing to fulfill and dream about. And another question… will I be happy once I achieve what I want?
I know I can't achieve everything. I don't want to, either. But wouldn't be nice if I could achieve at least one of them?

But what is my destiny? Is it the thing I really want or just what time gives? And will I find out once I reach my goal? Is designing my destiny?
I do dream big, dream of becoming someone, no matter in what area. Well, I'm still young, I still have time to decide. Though I can't decide which I want more. What if someone comes to me and say I can choose here and now what I want and they will make sure it happens?
It's possible that my destiny is already coming true, say if designing is my future goal. Maybe the future is already here. And maybe dreams do come true. Can someone tell?

**P.S. I have added ranking page for your craft blogs, you can add your blog:
http://creativecutie.gotop100.com

Hollywood's Real Face

You know it when you look at a Hollywood star and think they must have a radiant life, money, success, fame, perfect skin... but in their real life they have been working so hard, run from one place to another, keep perfect and balanced diet, deal with lying tabloids…? They worked hard to get to the place they are now; and the work to keep what they have does not stop there.

My point is, a piece of art is a lot of work and the result is beautiful. But underneath there is still things that need working.
The work on a bag, the perfect bag, is hard; but when you see it in its full form, ready and radiant, you just know it doesn't end there. You've gotta keep working and keep your radiantness, or else you'll get to the tabloids as a has been. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
You might make a bag and get really good responses and that makes you feel good about your work, you've done something right. But the flame must be kept alive.

As time passes by, people will expect you to keep the same level, or get higher than that lever you're in. Behind every work there is hard work on it. First comes the hard work, then the prize – which is the finished bag.
Is it worth it? Of course. That's why you should never give up on hard work. Because usually hard work means great results.

The hard work doesn't start or end with the making itself. It also manifests in the pre making. Where, if you're like me, you need to find the most original designs, designs that haven't been seen before. I also work hard on finding the best deals for materials, whether it's from the internet, a nearby store, or even a far away store (which happens). The hard work also comes in a shape of figuring out the right patterns. And I'm sure there's more and more beyond all the mentioned.

So you can't just jump into work without thinking. I mean, if you want something to come out nice.
I'm not saying it's all work and no play. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. I mean, if you're not enjoying the work it's not worth it. At all. Because I believe you need to do what you love, or you will be miserable. And how about this: I am kind lazy, I don't love hard work. Although a lot of people wouldn't see that on me. But when I find something I am passionate about, I can work my ass off. I spend many hours on a bag. I also believe that you shouldn't be afraid of hard work. That's the key (okay, a key) to success.

And I know that once I could actually make a living out of the bag making (or fashion), I will be having so much more work. Does it scare me? A bit, I wouldn't lie. My life is going to be hard work. Not only when making the bags, but also to keep the flame alive. Hollywood kind of hard work. I can compare, right?

How I Would Use a Month Off

Sewing bags is not my daily job, I don't make a living out of it. Therefore, sometimes I wish I could take a week or two off, even a month, and make bags every day, as many as I can. Like, full time job for one month.
I always can, because of where I live. And maybe I will do it someday. So how would I use that time for making bags?

I should probably plan ahead – which designs I want. This means I have to be full of ideas. Another option is to prepare only a few, say 2-3 designs. I will have to make patterns. I can make them during that particular time or right before. Or even use previous patterns/designs. Still I will have to prepare.
I could also be spontaneous, and decide on the designs right away, with no early thoughts.
I will also have to prepare the fabrics. And I'm saying it for both reasons: get enough of the material, pre-buy it. And also make sure I have the right fabrics for the right designs. A lot can get wrong here. Not just in fabrics, but also the other materials. Because I will have a limited time and it will run out quickly along with the materials.

Since I work on my bags at two places at the same time – sewing room which is my bedroom, and the room where I cut, create and everything, which is the dining room, and I also need to take the tools and equipment out every time – everything will have to stay out, or at least some of them like the ironing board. It all takes a lot of room, and with the other residents in the house, that might be a problem.

What I wish to do is to get up whenever and get right to work, a few hours and get to do two not too complex bags or one that is more complex. I'm not afraid of hard work.
And it doesn’t even have to be 7 days a week, I can spread it out.

There's also the option to do all the cutting for as many bags as possible in advanced, for a few hours or days. Then start the real work that is all the attachments and sewing. But if I do that, I'd better cut a few fabrics for the same design (for several bags with the same design).

I think that in an intensive working, you just have to take many breaks. Which is actually a little hard for me, because I hate to stop something before it's finished. Wherever I work (my real jobs) I usually don't take breaks, maybe 5 minutes. Same when making bags. I barely eat or drink (great diet, huh?).

Now, I wonder if I should make a few bags at the same time, or one by one. Also wonder if maybe I could create a schedule board or something.
Doing all that takes a lot of responsibility, because you ask for permission to do it in your free time, free time that is bigger since you do it instead of your regular job. You need to be your own boss. That can also prepare you for a business of your own, which is what I wish to achieve.
This will also mean that I take time off of other routines. Meaning I wouldn't get to go out much, be with the family and play with my dog. Okay, on the last two I'm not giving up so easily, since I play dominoes or backgammon with my dad almost every day (and lose, but whatever…) and just have to give my dog huggy and kissy attention.

I will get to see the number of the bags I made rising up, that's always fun. Then I will have a lot of other chores to do: taking pictures, uploading them to my computer, place them in sites and galleries... wow.

So even though it's time usage, it's also a lot more work than usual, before, during and after that time. Still, I would love to do it sometime. And if you decide on doing it yourself, please tell me how it went!

The Stubborn Chip

Sometimes I am so glad that I have a stubborn chip in my head. No, but seriously… This stubborn "chip" helps me so much sometimes. Because on one hand, when I'm getting frustrated over something – trouble finding something, trying to figure out something, etc. – I feel like crying. And here's a confession: I don't usually cry over physical pain, but I do cry over emotional things; even when someone wins in a reality show, ever if it's someone I wasn't rooting for…
But on the other hand, when I try something annoying lots of times, when I finally get it… it's kind of a victory feeling, simple as that! So that's why I'm thankful for the "stubborn chip" in my head.

While making a bag, sometimes it gets really hard, and even painful physically. Thank God I have some experience at bag making. That's why I don't usually make experiments first; I just figure it out during the making. And if something goes wrong, I usually improvise. Again, thank God for that ability that picked up at acting classes. Even when I cook something, I don't always go exactly according to the recipe. That's just Aquarius me.

My stubbornness gets me to great places, which makes great bags. I don't give up that easily if I really want a particular design. Even if I make mistakes, I'm not afraid of them. It just teaches me and leads me to even greater things.
You've seen my bags. Would you believe I just make them with no further tryouts?
That's because I dare and won't give up till I get it right and be satisfied. I work on a bag many hours because I cannot wait to see it done. People tell me to stop or take breaks, but I'm just dying to get into troubles with the bag and solve the problems.

So if you really want to make a bag that its making way is new to you, remember that if you're stubborn enough you could bring further your vision. If you're having troubles, don't quit. Don't let the mistakes hold you back, learn from them and use them, to get you further.
(Just a little comment on that: learn many things, as many as you can, so you could make and feel easier about making things that will be easier to solve later on).

The bag you see in the pictures, is the bag that I finished yesterday, I worked my ass off with it. I even injured myself a few times during. The way I did the zipper, is a little different from the ones I did before. I had some troubles it with, but I finally got it right. I spent some time just on figuring it out. My fingers hurt so much because of the pins, still are. This bag took me 12 hours or so, but I did not give up on it, and it came out really great, exactly how I wanted it. It was all worth it. And I figure that if I wasn't that stubborn, it wouldn't come out the way it did.

So as a conclusion, stubbornness is a good quality for a designer, and many other jobs. This is what could make a bag wonderful, and you satisfied not only with the bag, but also with yourself. So pick up a stubborn chip from your nearest store!