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SEWN: FUROSHIKI MADNESS

Monday 22 December 2014


Well they're not the traditional Furoshiki folded bag, but a rough approximation! These bags are also known as a Japanese triangle bags or origami bags.

I was originally inspired by the lovely Anna's post on her teacher presents this year. I loved the look of her bags and how well they can be completely individualised for the recipient. I had wanted to delve down the path of handcrafted gifts (at least for some) this Christmas and I knew I'd hit on the perfect project. Who doesn't love another beautiful and lovingly made bag?

I sent out a few emails with some vague, but enlightening questions, about favourite colours, prints or vibrancy and I was off. I used the very gorgeous Cloud9 100% certified organic cotton canvas fabrics for all but the flouro yellow chevron which was a buzoku duck from Spotties.

It really is a super easy and fast make. You just need a rectangle of fabric three times as long as it is wide, and a bit of fancy folding and stitches later, ta-da, there is your bag. I used BurdaStyle's Triangle bag tutorial because the particular way in which the material is folded and then stitched made way better sense to me, and seemed to suit the dimensions of my material. I was constrained by the width of my fabric and ended up cutting rectangles 43.5 inches x 14.5 inches.

Other, alternative methods can be found in this tutorial by //Between the lines// and this one at whipup.net.

I also decided to work that leather magic again with some handle wraps made from scrap pieces left over from one of hubby's many leather projects (see here and here).

I dyed the leather Whiskey brown  and found it hugely annoying perplexing that the final colour of each piece was so different. But in the end I love that each piece is completely unique.




Each piece was hand-stitched which meant punching all those holes. It gave me a whole new appreciation of the love that went into my bespoke bag. This nifty little tool certainly makes the job a little easier though. Combined with a wooden chopping board or workbench and hammer you're good to go.

At this stage we've also accumulated a little collection of leather threads in different colours, so I was able to make every handle wrap completely different from the others and coordinate it with its bag fabric.


So much prettiness...

And I reinforced my seams by folding the seam allowances to one side and topstitching (kind of like a faux flat felled seam). You might be able to see in the photo below.

Equally happy on my shoulder or swung lazily by my side.

 I so have to go back and get more yellow chevron. Too perfect...

And to all you lovely peeps out there here's to a very Merry Christmas for you and yours, and a wonderfully joyful and creatively rich New Year! There might some radio silence from this here crafter as I work on getting fat and extremely relaxed over the next little while. Enjoy!

29 comments:

  1. I am a sucker for the homemade teacher present and these are perfect. The leather handle is inspired!

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  2. Thanks Kirsty! And I'm way too selfish a maker to put this much effort into non-family gifts. These are going to nearly every adult female in my immediate family! :) Enjoy France xx

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  3. I love those could 9 fabrics - Filing this one away until I'm sewing for school fete again ;o)

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  4. Too divine.. Must make one for myself. I love all of the fabric choices and the leather handles - scrumptious..

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  5. Happy Christmas to you Jillian! I adore all of these, and I do hope you are making one for yourself!
    I love the coloured thread on the leather handles - a perfect touch ;)

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  6. Frrrrreaky! I've got three of these babies hanging up and another 2 cut out to sew up tomorrow. Love the leather handles, I've just top stitched them and will put a button over the top. IKEA is where I get my fabric. I'll have to keep my eye out for a scrap of leather to put on one for me. Your colours are so pretty!

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  7. Freaky indeed! I got all my fabric from Spotties, even the Cloud9, but I love Ikea fabrics. Must remember for next time. And I have just that leather "scrap" you need. I made an extra piece of dyed and punched leather in case one went wrong. I'd love you to have it! Shoot me an email with your address and I'll pop it in the post along with some waxed thread. Love sharing with maker friends!

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  8. Remind me to get in your Christmas list next year ! These bags are fab-u-lous. Have an amazing Christmas and new year!

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  9. I think I need yellow chevron in my life too... and your sandals. Have a great Xmas & I can't wait to see what crafty goodness you create in 2015. 😘😘

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  10. I LOVE these bags and am absolutely stealing this idea.

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  11. Such a great gift. The leather handles really take the bags to the next level. You've got some lucky people on your gift list!

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  12. Really effective, I love the modern feel of these :-)

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  13. They are lovely fabrics, so vibrant and well printed. And don't wait for school fetes! Mine are going to beloved family members. They'll love them just as well, if not more, for the heartfelt sentiment :)

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  14. Merry Christmas lovely Steff! And definitely make one for yourself - such a great scrap buster!

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  15. Merry Christmas! I think I'll make one for myself when I get a bit more sewjo back. I'm so worn out! And I really want my CULOTTES!!

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  16. I'll make you one anytime, Alex. Favourite colours? Favourite prints (geometric, floral, stripes etc)? Pastel or bright? I totally know the answers already, my bloggy friend xx

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  17. You totally need yellow chevron in your life, Anna - it's gonna go perfectly with that IG dress from yesterday!

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  18. I think you already did LOL! xxx

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  19. Thank you, Gail! I must admit the leather handle concept wasn't my own, with both Anna and the tutorials using them. But I do love their addition!

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  20. Thanks Teresa, the vibrant prints are so lovely.

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  21. Yes I am somewhat predictable with my tastes :-)
    You should check this out - I stumbled across this today on one of my google journeys:

    http://thelinkcollective.com/

    x

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  22. these are not bags ... these are amazing bags ... those leather wraps are a true game changer ... they give them such a contemporary feel . Love them!!!

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  23. These are gorgeous! I loved following the whole process on IG :)

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  24. Not predictable, lovely, distinct and that's a good thing! Thanks for the link xx

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  25. Oh thanks Sasha! They were very well received.

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  26. Thanks Kim! I've only just really gotten active on IG in the last month or so and I'm loving it. What a sense of community and yes, you can see everyone's process which is fascinating.

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  27. Oh wowsers!!! They are awesome. Can't wait to whip up one (or a few) myself. Thanks Jillian x

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