New Twist on My Twist Tote

I made this bag last week, waited for a good day for taking pics, but found none. So I just took them by the sewing machine with all the lights on. I made a few of these tote before & I just love their size & the way they sit across my body. The straps come off the "fronts", not the sides, so it lays pretty flat on my hip. My mom has one that she brought on vacation last year & just loved it. It held their towels, sun block, water bottles & books with ease. And I make them with home deco canvas or outdoor canvas so they hold up well to tough use.

The only tweak I wanted to try was a closure. Neither my mom or I have had anything fall out of the bag yet, even when leaning forward & it hangs away from our body. But I wanted to give it a shot. So this bag has a long strip of fabric that goes through a tab on the opposite side. I added some stitching so it did not look so plain.


I initially tried it where it goes through & then folds back over itself, it worked well. And the strip is long enough that even overstuffed, it can still hold. It does remind me of a men's tie though. But when inside out (yes, it can be reversible...except for the tag part) it doesn't stand out so much.

I'll make sure that the next one I try this way is made with the print fabric, not the solid since that is technically the exterior.

Freedom by Carried Away

My Etsy team, Carried Away Bags, is doing a Summer of Freedom challenge /charity event. Participants will make a handbag that represents what "freedom" means to them. It can take any form that you personally feel represents "freedom", be it your national flag or national colors, something recognizing your country's military veterans, a symbol of some type that says "freedom" to you.

I think I have finally decided what my bag is going to be. I am going to make my large Twist bag because of the simplest definition of freedom...hands free. The bag slings across your front from side to side letting you have full use of your arms. This is the bag (well, the style anyway):



I am not yet sure what will be decorating the outside of the bag. It will either be hand embroidered, painted, appliqued or some combination. The image is going to either be an eagle - the nation's bird...also freedom of flight...or our flag - but not necessarily straightforward. My son suggested a cubism style .

The lining has already been purchased thanks to JoAnn Fabrics for always having their patriotic novelty prints on sale this time of year.


The bag is supposed to be completed by July 15th. I'll update you with the progress and ideas as the weeks go by.

Show and Tell: A Small Twist

I made a tote a little while back that my mom took on vacation. I knew she'd like it. The size was just right for all their beach things and the way it keeps everything inside by hugging your hip. The strap is kind of funky, but lets the bag wrap around you so even when you lean over stuff does not fall out. She liked it so much I decided to make a few more. And I even got an order for one when I was wearing the small version. yippee!

I made a smaller version of the Twist bag for myself. I wanted a new bag, one that can be hands free with quick access. This is the first one I made. It turned out cute, but the strap was a bit too short. It fit my mom ok (she's only 5'2") but on me (5'7") it was too short & tight under the but area. I think I may take it apart at the center of the strap & extend it.

Anyway, just thought I'd share:





Oh yeah...and this was the larger version: