Day 30- The Vinyl & Duck Messenger Bag

3/30/14

It's the last day of Create30. I sat down and sketched before starting to work today because of course the last day of a project like this creates quite a bit of pressure. I wanted to work with the duck cloth I had left from the tote bag I made on Day 26 (The Convertible Tote). I had a yard of vinyl from the hardware store which I decided to combine with the duck, possibly because it's been raining all weekend and the idea of waterproof material is appealing.

I made a pattern for a large size bag and cut the bottom from duck cloth and the top from vinyl. Each side was doubled. I sewed the vinyl handles in between the pieces of duck to give a clean finish and reinforce the top of the bag.

After the vinyl pieces were inserted, I stitched an outline along the top and around the handle with white thread. This would look great with a colored or metallic thread as well. This is the step where colored or printed paper or fabric could be sandwiched between the vinyl.

I sewed a 3" panel between the sides of the bag to make it larger, and used white rubber to accent and support the corners. There is a webbing strap long enough to make the bag usable as a cross-body messenger style, or simply a tote bag with a foldover top. 

Cross-body tote: Duck cloth, rubber, vinyl, webbing

It's hard to believe I've finished all thirty projects. It's been amazing to see the huge variety of work and style of which I am capable, and a great way to learn some new techniques. There were definitely days I was less inclined to sit inside and keep working, but this month has been an extremely valuable learning experience, if only in staying disciplined.

I'll follow up with a little summary and some fresh ideas soon!

Starting tonight I will be posting items from Create30 for presale on my Etsy shop. Stay in touch!

xo,

Arielle

PS- This item is now available for sale in my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/SalkinAccessories