a girl and her bag

Monday, July 02, 2007

Libby's "packed full of memories" bag is complete, and we couldn't be happier. She could hardly wait to pack it with things to take to the pool. I sewed 12 4x4 pieces together. And made 6 of these rows. Made a bottom that was two rows of four squares. Ironed pellon on to the back of each to make it a little sturdy.

I was going to use vinyl for the inside (because that is what my mother used) but could not find any to match. The woman at Joann's told me about a product that you iron over your fabric. It looks great and was easy to use. However, it is a little crunchy. Do you know what I mean by crunchy? Thin? I just hope it will hold up over time, but I wouldn't be surprised if it started to crack and peel.
I sewed the strap by machine only to where the lining started, and then did the rest by hand.

It really is a special bag. Each little print has a memory to it, that I will be reminded of every time I look at the bag. I do regret one thing. Not using the bumble bee dress. Honestly. I would have really loved to have had that fabric in this bag, and not tucked away in a box.

The first thing Libby said was " I love it! I cant' wait to take it to college!". She is 9 years old. Already packing for college! I just hope that one day (way after college) she finds it packed in a box and thinks of it as a treasure. I think she will, she already does.

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47 comments

  1. SO cute! I love that she is going to take it to college! My 3-year-old is constantly talking about getting married... Why do they want to grow up so much?

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  2. Anonymous7/02/2007

    Hey, that was a great idea and I love the way it turned out. :)

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  3. Such a beautiful - and useful - active memory piece!

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  4. The bag is adorable and what a nice memory keeper for your daughter.

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  5. Anonymous7/02/2007

    Very delightful bag full of happy memories. Surely, it will carry her further along college. You did such fantastic job making it.

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  6. I'm sure she will. It certainly is a treasure already and it's great that she couldn't wait to use it. You did a wonderful job on it. :)

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  7. Anonymous7/02/2007

    Oh, wow. That's so touching in so many ways. The bag came out so beautiful. I just know it will be a long-time favorite of Libby's. Sigh.

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  8. you have to love a girl who is planning what accessories to take to college when she is 9 years old! the bag looks amazing and i really like the green straps. i am sure bumblebee will find new life in another project!

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  9. You have completely outdone yourself with that bag. I have vivid memories of wearing patchwork pants in the early 1980s that had that same pattern. Amazing.

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  10. What a great bag made of delightful memories.

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  11. Anonymous7/02/2007

    It's really wonderful! And how sweet that she loves it so much!

    My daughter's beach bag has a zippered pouch on the inside for holding change and things. Maybe you could use the bee fabric for a pouch. I guess it's too late to sew it into the bag, but maybe you could loop it around the handle.

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  12. Anonymous7/02/2007

    i've been lurking for a while, but i had to send you a "LOVE it" comment once i saw libby's completed bag. you did a great job; i think you're my new hero.

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  13. Anonymous7/02/2007

    ok, after seeing this, maybe i could cut up some of the clothes. maybe. can you give me a few more details? i'll swap you for applique lessons - hee hee!

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  14. Anonymous7/02/2007

    Delurking to add another- absolutely adorable- comment. What a great memory for both you and your daughter.

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  15. Gorgeous bag. I wish I knew how to do that kind of thing. I have a sewing machine, but would need a "how to" tutorial!

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  16. so awesome!! (Hey, instead i'll say "sew awesome"...YA!)

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  17. i've been eager to see the results of your work. . . it's lovely! Sooo cute!! when bob took the boys golfing and you blogged about your knitting i wanted to say "what about libby's bag, you should be working on that." now i see it and it is well worth the wait. so glad i checked your blog before going to sleep. you are such a good mom!

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  18. Anonymous7/03/2007

    So very cute for a cute little girl! Great job!

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  19. Beautiful bag and great photos!

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  20. A great idea flourished into an awesome bag!!!! It came out beautiful...

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  21. I've got a crochet bobble wallet out of One-Skein and it's really cool.

    Jill

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  22. Anonymous7/03/2007

    College! What a cutie! I hope she enjoys her special bag (made by her special momma) for years and years.

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  23. that came out amazing - truly a bag of memories!!!

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  24. That is so sweet! what wonderful memories it will represent!

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  25. WOW!! That's too cute Leslie. I love it!! Special mommy and special daughter, need I say anything else?
    Oh, one thing....great photo's

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  26. It's such a special bag!

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  27. Anonymous7/03/2007

    Oh wow, it is so beautiful!! It turned out great, what a special bag. BTW...I have used that iron-on vinyl before and it seems more sturdy than it appears at first. Although I haven't used it to line a bag, so I can't speak to that.

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  28. College?! How cute is that! I have to admit it would be one of the best bag on campus.

    That bag is amazing. I love how all the different fabrics have memories and they all look so beautiful sewn together.

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  29. Anonymous7/03/2007

    That's fabulous--in every way. I love that she knew just what she wanted, that she loves it now, and that she's planning to love it for a long time to come.

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  30. That is so special, what a treasure, really. And I love that the straps start at the bottom, very cool! When I was 9 I definitely was NOT thinking about college...kids these days :)

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  31. That's a fantastic bag! It makes me want to run to my mom's and go digging through old clothes and blankets and make one of my own (although I can't sew to save my life!)

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  32. I apologise if you get this comment twice:

    It looks as if your mom picked each fabric in each dress to blend perfectly into a future 'memories bag'. Very beautiful work and sentiment.

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  33. What a beautify momento of childhood! Just think how many more memories will be added to it as she uses it. =-D Love seeing the tradition of "recycling" fabric and memories lives on!

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  34. this post brought tears to my eyes. my mom wasn't so much like this - one to make me a bag or share these types of things. how i wish i could read her words and connect with her in the way your daughter will with you one day.

    and the bag is gorgeous!

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  35. I am in love with this bag! It's so cool and it's such a fabulous way to cherish memories. Good going mom!

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  36. This bag is amazing. You are totally awesome. So is your daughter. Love her mindset.

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  37. Anonymous7/04/2007

    what a cute yet grown-up bag! i totally understand the college comment. love it.

    -leslie (goodness.typepad.com)

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  38. Anonymous7/04/2007

    It looks fantastic!!! Such a good idea! Even boy friendly - though I doubt he woudl want to take it to uni with him!

    If it peels you could try - cute printed shower curtains or plastic table cloths to reline!

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  39. I love this bag . . and actually, pretty much everything you sew. The last few lines of this post really got to me. I can remember packing for college and my little sister (we about died being separated) kept running up to me with little mementos to pack for me to take. Each time we sat and cuddled and cried and remembered. I'm sure she'll have fond memories of everything you guys do. *hugs*

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  40. Anonymous7/04/2007

    lovely bag...college? oh my, let her get to high school first!

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  41. wat a lovely bag. i would love very much to sew one of myself big enough to carry DD's stuffs in an outings.

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  42. it looks so great! love it, you put so much time & energy into it & it's so worth it!

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  43. oh, that bag is fabulous! nice job.

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