Handmade Tinkerbell Handbag/Purse - The Boronia Bowler Bag by Blue Calla Patterns

 Handmade Tinkerbell Handbag/Purse - The Boronia Bowler Bag by Blue Calla Patterns

Whatabout ye folks, it's Lee here.  I have a few things to say about this bag so, buckle up Buttercup, cause this is gonna be a doozy of a blog post, teehee. I completely forgot to share this bag that I made quite a few months ago.  It is another Boronia Bowler bag from Blue Calla Patterns.  I had a couple of fat quarter bundles from Disney's Tinkerbell knocking about in my stash and I wanted to use them in a bag.  The fat quarters just fit this pattern so I was delighted when I was able to use them.  And if I am being honest, the fat quarter was maybe 1/2 inch too short for the actual pattern, but the pattern actually uses a good bit of overlap between the fabric and faux leather, so that 1/2 inch of fabric that I didn't have would have been hidden behind the faux leather anyway, so technically it was waste that wouldn't have been seen.  So, I managed to make my 2 fat quarters work with this pattern pretty perfectly.

I love the colours of pink and brown together.  And as usual, you know me.....it wouldn't be a Crafty Loops project without at least one or two mistakes.....and I always like to admit mistakes to you because no-one is perfect. But it also means I can share how I overcome my mistakes (or hide them, lol) and end up with a pretty good result regardless.  So, when I made this bag, the straps where meant to be longer and sewn under the base piece of faux leather.  So they were meant to look like they were coming out from behind the base piece.  Old Loops here forgot to do that step and as I had already added the base to the bag, I didn't have the heart to unpick it all and start again.  Particularly as I would have had to unpick all the top stitching on the faux leather....and if there is one thing I have learned from this bag making process, it's that faux leather does not like to be unpicked and resewn.  It leaves too many holes and essentially perforates the leather, weakening it's structure.  So, I left it as is, and I cut the straps down in length and just sewed them up to the base.  It wouldn't do anything bad to the structural integrity of the bag at all, it just means the straps might look a wee bit different.  But maybe if I hadn't have mentioned it, you wouldn't have even noticed.  But as I said, I do like to tell you when I make a mistake.  It's all about the learning....and if mistakes equate to learning...then I am one of the most learned people around, teehee.

As usual, I added wee purse feet to the bottom to protect the base.  I kind of wish I had quilted this faux leather to give it a bit more texture or even used a textured leather as I think it needs a little more texture added to it.  But I will know for the next time I make one.

It might look like a stunningly warm, sunny day in Northern Ireland in this photo....and it certainly was beautifully sunny......but I took this photo on the 7th of April and the frost had just melted from our grass and it was -1 when we got up that morning!  Minus 1 degrees C at the end of the first week of April!!!!!  I'm traumatised, teehee.  Anyway, back to the bag. As I said, I wish I had have used textured leather in this bag and as cute as the fabric was.....could I get all the wrinkles out of that fabric?  Hell no!  It completely frustrated me.  Obviously when the fabric is cut into fat quarters, the factory folds them into tiny little square bundles, tied with a bow to be sold.  I ironed the fabric quickly at first but realised I needed to iron it with steam, and then I ironed it again to interface it and then ironed it again to add it to the foam interfacing and still the fabric had wrinkles!!!!!!!!  I then decided to stuff the bag with fabric to try and get the wrinkles out, whilst ironing it again with steam.  But still, I have wrinkles.  Now, the fabric will probably relax, particularly when it's being used and items are added to it.  But I swear, this tiny fat quarter of fabric nearly ended my sanity, teehee.  I think I need to invest in some spray starch or Best Press for when I work on fat quarters again.  Those fabric creases were industrial strength, I tell you.  

As usual, this bag has a double zipper closure and I love how it opens the whole way around the bag...please don't look at the wrinkles, teehee. This bag is specifically designed to use a non-fraying material like faux leather, cork or vinyl for the base section of the bag.  That means, when you cut the pattern, the cork/vinyl/faux leather will have it's raw edges showing all around the bag.  A lot of faux leathers and vinyl tend to have a lighter, cotton type fabric on the wrong side.  This means, when you make a pattern with the raw edges exposed, that lighter fabric from the back side can be seen along the raw edge.  A lot of bag makers use a specialty leather edge paint to carefully and meticulously paint around all the raw edged of the fabric, so it blends seamlessly with the vinyl/faux leather's colour.  Me personally......I do not have the patience or steady hand for painting the raw edges of my faux leather.  And, I don't like the idea of raw edges showing on my bags.  Although vinyl and faux leather may not fray per say, I don't feel confident enough in that "non-fraying property" and I'd worry that over time, the bag will look a bit tattered with wear and tear.  I did leave the raw edges on my Tim Burton Boronia and I used a sharpie on the edges, but I think i prefer the method I came up with instead.  So......all that to say, when I cut out my leather from the pattern, I added an extra 1/4 inch all the way around.  I then cut out a piece of black, cotton fabric to the same size as my leather piece.  Then, sewing right sides together, I sewed the piece of black cotton to my faux leather piece at a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  That way, when I turned my piece right sides out, my raw edge of fabric was now enclosed in the seam and any light fabric from the leather backing disappeared.  You have to really roll and press your seams well though (not with the iron, as it will melt, unless you try using a press cloth but I am not that brave).  I used my brayer to press and roll the seams as flat as humanly possible.  Plus, the perimeter edges of the leather would all be top-stitch too which helps with keeping the edges flat.  And it worked!!!!!  It worked so well!  Now, I am not sure if this would work with all faux leathers and vinyl.  Mine was nice, soft and thinnish faux leather.  But I am so much happier with the result and I think it will stand up to wear and tear so much better than the raw edges.    

I love the wee peekaboo expanding gussets. And look how cute Tinkerbell looks peeking out.

The inside fabric was this cute pink and blue floral fabric that I found on Ebay.  It is so cute and complimented the Tinkerbell fabric perfectly.  And every time I make one of these Boronia Bowlers, it always amazes me just how perfectly the lining fabric fits inside the bag.  I don't know why I'm surprised, Celine's patterns are incredible.  I am just always surprised when I manage to make them fit pretty perfectly though, teehee.  

As usual, I have a zipper pocket on one side of the bag with Tinkerbell fabric peeking through and my "Handmade By" stamped tag.

I have a very large slip pocket on the opposite side of the bag which is a perfect space to keep your phone, a pen, lipstick etc.

I do like this bag but the wrinkles in the fabric have bugged me no end.  I think that is why I hadn't shared it.  But I think that if I get some spray starch, that might help it.  And I really wish I had have had my crocodile textured faux leather at the time of making this.  I think the bag needs a bit of texture.  And the crocodile faux leather would have been a subtle nod to the evil, Captain Hook.  I might make another one, using that particular faux leather....and maybe not make mistakes in that one and ensure it's completely wrinkle free this time, teehee.

That's it from me folks.  Toodles Noodles ......  Lee aka Crafty Loops xx

SHOPPING LIST

At the time of typing, the items I linked to are available.  However, items stock changes all the time and with time marching by, some items I link may no longer be available from that particular seller.  However, a quick Google search should help you out if my links are no longer working/available.  

 

5& 1/2 inch Kai Scissors - Ebay (These are the best scissors I have ever used in my life.  They may be small but they can cut through anything....including my finger....ask me how I know....oops!)

Disney Tinkerbell Fabric - bought in a fat Quarter bundle from a private seller on Ebay

Lining Fabric was already in my stash - probably bought on Ebay, lol

The Boronia Bowler pattern from Blue Calla Patterns

Faux Leather, dark brown - Ebay

Metal Handmade label - Amazon

Jeans Needles - Amazon

25mm Buckle sliders - Amazon

8mm Chicago Screws - Amazon

Metal bag feet - Amazon

Bosal In-R-Form single sided Fusible Foam Stabiliser - carogojo, Ebay

Teflon non-stick foot, Amazon- for sewing machine.  Works great when working with faux leather.  This foot works perfectly with my Janome QXL605 sewing machine

Woven Fusible Interfacing - (I used the black, lightweight this time around) - Ebay

No 5 zip tape & zip slides - Ebay

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