Many, many bag makers these days use very bold, vibrant prints which immediately catch the eye. They are incredibly visually appealing, but that certainly does not mean that they are practical or necessarily well thought out. Even if the interiors are pretty, they often have just one or two pockets. These two bags which I made recently are just the opposite of this. A custom order for a neutral, understated bag – without flowers – was a new challenge, as many of my fabrics are brightly coloured and/or incorporate floral elements. I’m also steering away from lightweight cotton exteriors at the moment, as I like more of a structured feel in the messenger bags. I know adding interfacing will help make cottons more suitable, but I also want to make sure most of my bags are washable and that they will retain their original look and feel. Anyway, a trip to the store was in order and I found a number of fabrics that I hoped would fit the bill. The client’s requirements were: beige/blue/black, no flowers, subtle, goes with everything. The end result was just that! The bag features a wide, adjustable strap, rear magazine pocket, divided pockets under the flap and inside the bag, a key clip, zippered pocket and parachute clip closure (aka side release buckle). I used three different drapery/upholstery fabrics, one of which was double sided, so in effect four fabrics, plus fleece interlining for structure and durability.

As you can see, this bag is deceptive! It looks small, but it can hold so much! This is a large wallet, essentials pouch with countless bits and pieces, pencil roll, sketch pad, pens, notepad, cell phone, shopping bag and a magazine in the rear pocket – and there is room for more!

I have just completed an order for a custom messenger bag. The lady chose a selection of pink and yellow fabrics and is going to love the way it all worked out together. The bag features an adjustable strap, parachute clip closure, a magazine packet at the rear, multiple pockets under the flap and inside the bag, as well as a key clip. She is going to be a very stylish and organized mom on the go, with her one of a kind bag!

As always, the interior is just as beautiful as the exterior.

I just finished this bag and couldn’t wait until tomorrow to take proper pictures! I love this bag so much. It is made in super soft pearlescent creamy vinyl for the exterior and the interior features two Joel Dewberry fabrics in gorgeous yellow and grey tones. The bag has a divided pocket under the flap, another divided pocket in the interior, a key clip and magnetic snap closure. The bag is interlined with Armo fleece to give it a soft structure and the strap is double sided, interfaced and sewn with multiple rows of decorative stitching.

In addition to the giveaway on the Pip ‘n’ Milly Facebook page, I am also having a giveaway on my blog, The Winking Frog. This giveaway is for a one of a kind camera bag. If you are interested, please check out the link and leave a comment on the post. The draw will take place on Friday 5th March.

I am holding a giveaway on my Pip ‘n’ Milly Creations Facebook page. The giveaway is for a one of a kind Grab ‘n’ Go Lunch Mat. They are an ideal component of a waste-free lunch, by eliminating the need for disposable cutlery and paper napkins. They feature a variety of coordinating fabrics, ample lunch space, a secure cutlery pocket and a pocket for a cloth napkin. These mats are perfect for keeping your child’s food off the table and are machine washable. The draw is open to all “Fans” on the Facebook page and the draw will take place on Friday, March 5th.

Pricing of handmade goods is a serious issue for many, many people. Artists, crafters and customers alike often struggle with this. I know I do find it hard to price my goods to reflect the cost not only of materials, but also to factor in my time, overheads, profit and my skill – not to mention the development and product testing that came before a bag was ready for sale. I came across this fantastic article today and it should be required reading for everyone who makes, sells or buys handmade goods. Please read through the post and the comments that follow. I would be interested to hear what you think.

I am adding two new products to the range. The first is a messenger-style bag which is the perfect size for your daily needs and will keep you organized in style. Well, at least your handbag contents will be organized, even if your life isn’t! The finished size is approximately 9″ across, 10″ high and 3″ wide. The bag features a full flap with a parachute clip closure, multiple pockets under the flap, as well as inside the bag, a rear pocket, a key clip and a sturdy adjustable strap. I use a combination of fleece and interfacing for structure and durability. Prices start at $75 Cdn, and will vary depending on the materials used.

The second bag is similar, but is 11.5″ across, 9.5″ high and 3.5″ deep. The rear pocket is designed to hold a magazine, plus there are pockets galore for cell phone, pens, notepads etc. There is also a key clip to save you scrabbling around and an adjustable strap so it can be worn on one shoulder or across the body. These will start at $85 Cdn and pockets can be customized to suit your needs.

This particular bag is made in designer fabric by Amy Butler, along with three coordinating cotton prints.

These are a couple of the potential new products I am working on. The design stage and preliminary mock-ups always take awhile, and some things are too time consuming or too fiddly to be practical, but I am hopeful that these will work out.

The camera bag is for our older daughter. We try to go for a walk every day and she really, really doesn’t enjoy it. In order to make the walks more enjoyable for her, we’ve agreed to let her borrow a camera so she can take pictures enroute. In order to protect my camera, I decided to make her a special bag with an adjustable strap so she can wear it across her body (the strap is long enough that I can carry it too). I’m also going to make a neck strap for the camera itself for when she is actively using it. The outer fabric has fusible interfacing and there is also a layer of fleece to pad the bag and protect the camera.

The apron and chef’s hat set are a gift for our younger daughter’s birthday. She loves to bake with me, but also loves playing in her own little kitchen, making soup, cleaning the stove and putting groceries away! I am going to tweak the hat a bit, but then it will be ready to add to the product range at Pip ‘n’ Milly Creations.

I made another hat using the hat pattern my Nicole Mallalieu and I love it! I altered the crown height slightly to suit me better. I used raspberry coloured corduroy for the exterior and a heavy purple satin print for the lining. I found the piece of satin at a thrift store late last year for 75 cents! It is a beautiful fabric and will make a gorgeous lining for a handbag too.

Happy New Year one and all! May it be the best yet!

2009 has been challenging on some fronts, but enormously satisfying and fulfilling on others. I anticipate a wonderful year ahead! I am starting the new year off with a bright new hat to bring cheer on these wet and grey days. I used the adult hat pattern by Nicole Mallalieu and made this for myself:

Obviously that is not my head. It is very handy to have a hairdresser’s training tool around! This is only the second hat I have made and the first time I have used Nikki’s pattern. I used some drapery weight fabric I picked up for a very reasonable price, along with some fusible interfacing and coordinating orange cotton for the lining. I will definitely be making this again in other fabrics and trying some of the variations which are incorporated in the pattern.