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Sunday 1 February 2015

The Jenny bag

Two years ago I made a rucksack for my friend Jenny. She asked if it could be similar to her favourite bag that was getting a little old and worn.  With paper, pen and a tape measure I came up with a design.


Rucksacks and backpacks are very much in vogue (I’ve been using them for years so yeah I’m trendy!!!!!) so I thought I’d put one into production for ‘Gertie’s Bags’.

I didn’t want it make it too big so slightly tweaked the bag pattern that I made for Jenny. The front pocket was made wider and deeper, more internal pockets added and the straps were made longer.


Pattern sorted, now the fabric. I wanted something that would appeal to both young and old. Having bought rather a lot of fabric recently (think credit card yelping!!) I couldn’t justify buying any more. Well, I could, but there would be lots of tutting from Mr Gertie...


I chose something that came from a fabulous shop in Stratford upon Avon. It’s only little, but boy, do they pack a lot of fabric in. It was so good that I went back the following day for more.

I now need to decide where to sell it from. Because Folksy has been pretty disappointing I’m giving Etsy a try so am moving my Folksy stock over to there.  However my first sale came from eBay. I think the only solution is to make another then each will have one.

That still doesn’t solve the problem of which one first so I suspect it’ll be heads or tails !!!!

Have a great week.

Gertie xx

PS why not pop over to Handmade Monday to see what other fellow craft bloggers have been up to.

28 comments:

  1. I love the fabric you've used for this bag. Good luck with the Folksy shop. I think it's a matter of perseverance.
    Ali xx

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    1. Whoops I meant Etsy. I will have a look for you there.
      Ali xx

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    2. I'm afraid I'm not very good at waiting so am going to need a lot of patience... xx

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  2. Oh this is so cute, love the foxy fabric! Selling online can be a bit of a minefield can't it... i've done best with Etsy and tried a few so hopefully you will too :) x

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  3. Fabulous fabric Gertie, and the bag looks great. I list the same stuff on my website and Etsy store, I'm not getting that many sales that its causing a problem, I just remove an item for sale (if its not reproducible) from the other site when something has sold.

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    1. I don't think I'd have the courage to sell the same thing on two sites. It would be just my luck that I get a duplicate sale... xx

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  4. What a fab backpack, the fabric is so cheerful. I've never tried sewing anything as complicated looking as this, so well done you! Xx

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    1. Honestly it's not that complicated. It's really just two things sewn together xx

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  5. I love your choice of fabrics:) I do the same as Lucy and list on both sites, sales aren't that quick ;)!

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  6. Love the fabric and yes they are in fashion, much better for your posture than a 1 shoulder bag

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    1. I've been using backpacks since I was at school so I've lost count of how many times they've been in and out of fashion xx

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  7. This is such a great design! And double zippers! You did an outstanding job making such a beautiful bag. Happy Monday :)

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    1. I'm a glutton for punishment where zips are concerned as usually they are sewers nemesis... xx

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  8. How clever you are to design such a great bag. The foxy material is gorgeous :)

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  9. Love the foxy material, and style of the bag. Looks very roomy and practical.

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    1. When I first made the bag for my friend I was surprised, given the smallish size, as to how much room there was xx

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  10. That foxy fabric is so cute. I like the backpack style. Who knew we were so "hip?" 😉

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  11. That foxy fabric is so cute. I like the backpack style. Who knew we were so "hip?" 😉

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    1. I'm always amazed as to how 'fashionable' I am... xx

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  12. Hold on a sec...you made a rucksack....?! Seriously? I genuinely thought that might be one of the few items it would be impossible to hand make! x

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    1. I promise you, it was made by my own fair hands xx

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  13. The Foxy Fabric is brilliant. I'm finding Folksy to be a bit slow at the moment too. I don't like listing the same item in different places, I know the chances of selling on both platforms at the same time is slim but I wouldn't like to take the chance.

    It might be different if I had a fancy phone and would know of the sale straight away, even when I'm out and about, I could then take it out of the second shop straight away but I only use my pc at home and it could be hours before I knew of the sale. :)
    Jan x

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    1. I'm with you on that one. Whilst I have a modern(ish) mobile I very rarely use it for anything other than making the odd phone call or text. I don't think I could take the risk of having an item up in two places xx

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  14. well done it looks brilliant! love the pattern :) you will sell lots i can see it! x

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