Vintage bag - 1930s doris

I love making bags, and have made quite a few of my own design, but I found some books with more patterns and decided to try out someone else's design!

This is doris...


A 1030s inspired bag from Emma Brennan's book
Making Vintage Bags


There are 20 different bags to try in the book - inspired from the 20s to 50s.  The book as easy to follow instructions and pattens in the back.  She does assume you have basic sewing knowledge - but I think with the aid of Google and You Tube - even if you're a complete beginner, you could give these bags a go!
There are some basic techniques explained at the beginning of the book and she also suggests types of fabrics, handles and fasteners; as well as showing how to make various embellishments for your bags.


The patterns at the back of the book can be photocopied and enlarged to the necessary size; and the photos throughout the book provide a great addition to her clear explanations of the steps to make the bags.
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I chose to try the doris bag - as it suited some pretty material my mum had sent me for my birthday a few months ago.  I also used velcro for the closure as I didn't have a magnetic snap!  Not very vintage - but simple and effective - and since you don't see the closure, it doesn't really matter!

I'm very pleased with how it turned out - a nice cute little handbag, which didn't take long at all to make!






What do you think?

Have you tried any sewing pattern books? Do you have any you would recommend?




8 comments:

  1. Oh, it's so sweet! I've got a bit of an addiction to craft books, I have so many but I have to admit I am yet to make anything from any of them!
    I think when I eventually get around to it I will make something from Lisa Lam's 'The Bag Making Bible' It's got lots of projects in it and she really knows what she's talking about. :)

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  2. That's so cute and colorful! I'll have to take a peek at that book when I get up the gumption to sew again.

    Cheers,
    Tracy Screaming Sardine

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  3. Oh my I just love the bag and the iris material is beautiful.

    Great job on it.

    I love looking through old magazines to find vintage items to duplicate.

    Karan

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  4. i have looked at that book and lusted after it! And the fabric is just beautiful :)

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  5. I'd like to recommend Amy Butler's Style Stitches. Now, Miss Butler is a freak about interfacing and Peltex, so be prepared! Her patterns are full-sized. I traced them on freezer paper--works great! I used my 40% off coupon and that made it about the price of one of her patterns. A great value since that book has 12 patterns.
    I love your vintage bag and I think that print suits it well.
    Best,
    Rikka J
    Ricochet and Away!

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  6. Beautiful - especially in that fabric.

    I also own this book and I have got as far as enlarging one of the patterns (Veronica, I think) on a photocopier ... but I've yet to find the right fabric. I was erring to finding something with a vintage feel, but I may try just making it up in a modern fabric and see what it looks like. Thanks for reminding me about the book - you've inspired me to revisit it soon!

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  7. I love that book!!! I just made a purse roughly based on Dorthy and Lois and the directions for the lining were more than helpful... for a look you can see the purse here http://jandrzoo.blogspot.com/2011/08/purse-clutch-type.html
    I found the book at the Half price bookstore

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