Pip n Milly Creations » handbag

Boy-friendly messenger bag

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 05:41:12 +0000

No, not designed for a boy, but for a mom who has three boys and wanted a bag which would withstand the rigours of an active, rough and tumble life! The exterior is a hard-wearing denim with a subtle herringbone pattern, whilst the original fulfilled her desire for something beautiful, personal and more feminine. I used my new deluxe hardware and am thrilled with how swish it looks. The bag features an adjustable strap, parachute clip closure, zippered pocket and divided pocket under the flap, rear magazine pocket, expanded pockets in the interior, patch pocket, key clip and strips of accent fabric on the front flap. The fabrics are all interfaced, pockets are interfaced and lined and the zippered pocket bag coordinates with the other fabrics used.

Butterfly messenger bag

admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:26:49 +0000

I worked on a particular order in July for a customer in Vancouver, but haven’t been able to post about it yet, as it was destined to be a special birthday gift. I’ve just heard from the recipient and she loves her new bag! Well, now that she has seen it, so can you!

This is a messenger-style bag with a dark/neutral exterior to suit her active lifestyle with her young boys, but the interior is bright, vibrant and fun. Practicality is paramount in my work and this bag is filled with great features, such as a magazine pocket at the rear, a wide, adjustable strap, divided pockets under the flap and inside the bag, a zippered pocket, key clip and a water bottle holder. Roomy, yet not bulky.

Butterfly bag - interior

Messenger bag exterior

Messenger bag - front

Mine, all mine!

admin — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:28:57 +0000

I’ve been planning to make myself a new bag for weeks now and finally did it! Of course, I made myself a bag recently, using a new design I had sketched out over Christmas, but I still wanted something dark to work with my typical winter attire. I have been saving some black chenille and a few weeks ago found a bird and leaf print which I loved. I decided on a messenger bag, as it is a very functional and streamlined style. For the interior, I used a blue floral print which worked well with the colours in the second print I found. I also used some coordinating fabric for the pockets, key clip and closure tabs.

My winter bag, 2011

Latest custom orders

admin — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 06:05:13 +0000

A belated happy new year to you all! After a lovely, peaceful family Christmas, everyone is content to get back into a normal routine. New year, new projects, new goals. It is going to be a great year!

This first bag is one I made for a customer for his wife for Christmas. It is a spacious, but sleek shoulder bag with a removable hard base, padded strap, magnetic clip closure and key clip. It also has several divided pockets, both under the flap and in the interior. The exterior of the bag is an Amy Butler print, whilst the interior is a combination of two super soft, coordinating cotton fabrics.

This second bag (picture on the right hand side) is a special order for a lovely returning customer. The main exterior is heavy weight chenille fabric, combined with a vibrant cotton accent panel. The rear of the bag has a messenger bag pocket and a concealed zippered pocket. Under the flap there are divided pockets and a zippered pocket. The interior of the bag has bellows pockets to accommodate the customer’s belongings.

Custom order messenger bag

Curved bottom sling bag

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:56:55 +0000

This is the new bag style I have been working on. I have made gussetted sling bags in the past, but was keen to work out a more streamlined version. This style is great for showcasing a favourite fabric and is very roomy and comfortable to carry. This particular bag uses fabrics from a Patty Young fabric line and from “Party in Pink” for Henry Glass & Co and features a cross-body strap, magnetic clip closure, key clip, row of pockets and a zippered pocket.

Jen S's new sling bag

Sling bag

Exterior of Jen's sling bag

Another neutral

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 04:09:59 +0000

As mentioned in the previous post, I made two bags using neutral-toned fabric. The second bag was also a roomy, yet sleek messenger bag as a Mother’s Day gift. The exterior is constructed using a faux lizard skin vinyl. The lining is a very pretty and soft sage green print from the home decor department, with a pattern of swirls and circles. It also incorporates some of the double sided print I used in the last bag.

Faux lizard messenger bag

Interior

Rear magazine pocket

Just don’t tell Mum!

Put it in neutral

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:58:16 +0000

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.

Neutral-toned messenger bag

Interior

Demonstration of capacity

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!

Magazine pocket

Another custom order

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:28:44 +0000

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!

Pink/yellow messenger bag

Open messenger bag

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

Lovely new bag

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:27:26 +0000

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.

Pearlescent vinyl shoulder bag

Interior, Joel Dewberry fabrics

Open bag

Front view, pearlescent vinyl shoulder bag

New products

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:50:41 +0000

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.

Under flap of messenger style bag

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.

Under flap of bag, multiple pockets

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