If you've been reading my blog for a while, it will come as no surprise to you that I am a huge fan of Amy Butler. I'm constantly inspired by her fabrics and patterns, and so when Craft magazine announced their Amy Butler Inspired Bag contest, I had to jump on the opportunity to let Amy inspire me yet again (but really, when am I not inspired by her?). Browsing her site, I was drawn to this picture of her Barcelona skirt:
I was really drawn to the lines of the skirt and how it shows off three of her fabrics. I thought the design would translate really well into a bag. So I designed a bag using her Barcelona skirt as my inspiration. I call it my Barcelona Bag. I used fabrics from her Nigella and Lotus lines.
Amy's bags are not only beautiful, they're functional too. I wanted a larger tote with many pockets to easily find all the things I carry around every day. Both sides have "hidden" pockets. One side has three smaller pockets:
The other side has one larger pocket for magazines or sketchbooks:
I made sure the inside was super roomy and added a zipper pocket and two slip pockets.
Can I just say I love this bag?
Many thanks to my sister Kathy for taking these pictures. I had a lot of fun on this photo shoot.
I was really drawn to the lines of the skirt and how it shows off three of her fabrics. I thought the design would translate really well into a bag. So I designed a bag using her Barcelona skirt as my inspiration. I call it my Barcelona Bag. I used fabrics from her Nigella and Lotus lines.
Amy's bags are not only beautiful, they're functional too. I wanted a larger tote with many pockets to easily find all the things I carry around every day. Both sides have "hidden" pockets. One side has three smaller pockets:
The other side has one larger pocket for magazines or sketchbooks:
I made sure the inside was super roomy and added a zipper pocket and two slip pockets.
Can I just say I love this bag?
Many thanks to my sister Kathy for taking these pictures. I had a lot of fun on this photo shoot.
this bag is gorgeous! It looks like a bag that could have been designed by Amy herself! wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteVery cool bag, and so impressive that you made it up yourself! For those of us with not as much talent in our pinky fingers, haha, will you ever be selling a pattern, making a tutorial, sewing up bags for an etsy shop, or any of the above? It looks like the perfect bag to carry all of my stuff!
ReplyDeletefantastic bag! really love all the pockets and seeing the inspiration for it.
ReplyDeleteThat bag is awesome! Great construction and design, I wouldn't mind making myself one!
ReplyDeleteThis is BRILLIANT! I too am also a lover of Country Living magazine! The photos are also terrific. Did I mention that this bag is brilliant?
ReplyDeleteOh WOW WOW WOW! What a beautiful interpretation, and such a fantastic bag (I love a bag with lots of room). Lovely use of fabrics, great design, I'm gobsmacked! Well done.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the last photos are not from the Amy Butler website too? They sure look like it :) Good luck in the contest!
ReplyDeletePhenomenal job!!! I definitely see how the lines of the skirt make an adorable bag...though I wouldn't have on my own. So cute!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!! If you don't win...I'm boycotting someone! Seriously - your bag is awesome. Everything about it is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWow! i love the bag, so cute and so very practical at the same time! very impressed once again! -kb
ReplyDeleteYour bag is GORGEOUS! I love the fabrics you put together! WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your bag! I'm also entered in the contest, but I'm not very experienced in sewing... I'm more of a yarnaholic myself! hehe... Actually I just started knitting last year and I'm already hooked! All I did before was crochet... But now I also think sewing is calling my name! I'm adding your blog to my faves list on my cafecrochet.net blog... I'll definitely want to visit you again!
ReplyDeletewow! the bag is awesome. way to go.
ReplyDeleteverrrrrry clever! i love the hidden pockets on the outside. i hope that you win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bag and clever design. Can I just say that I am inspired by your inspired-by bag?! I love the hidden pocket idea, what a great design. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Do you use any interfacing to give the bag oomph?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great bag! I too would be interested in a tutorial or a pattern.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous bag!
ReplyDeleteYou did a really nice job with this bag. Love the fabric combo and the great pockets too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
What a gorgeous bag. Now I want one. lolololol
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing steph! I think you're going to win!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great bag. You are so creative and I just love the hidden pockets. I'm sure Amy will just love it.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a great bag. Love those secret pockets.
ReplyDeleteThe hidden pockets are brilliant! Good luck with the contest!
ReplyDeletei think you are going to win! love how you added her skirt pattern in your bag
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it! I love the skirt that you've drawn your inspiration from, the wonderful pockets on your bag and the fantastic colour combinations. You must be SO proud of yourself! x
ReplyDeleteI just love that bag, i hope you turn it into a pattern. I would LOVE that bag, and love to buy that pattern.
ReplyDeleteKylie
That is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHoly moly -- you should love that bag! It is so pretty. I really like the fabrics you selected and how well they work together. Bravo!
ReplyDeletejust found your blog... super cute bag... and hair cut!
ReplyDeleteYou MUST make up this pattern. Of course, I would love to have it free, but this design is so genius I think you should get something more from it than the love and admiration from the people who would make it. You should definitely package and sell this.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, you might try contacting Amy herself. She might possibly buy the design from you and produce it as a pattern. Either way, get a on that design immediately if you do decide to sell, it's brilliant.
Patent, that's the word I tried to link. I don't know why that keeps happening when I include a link! You should definitely apply unless the contest winner gets a chance of a deal with Amy (I didn't check before posting, sorry.)
ReplyDeleteIf you end up making a pattern... please please please let me know... LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteAmy Butler's patterns and fabric have reinvigorated my love for sewing. I've been a sewing fool; however, I'm a pattern girl (need to stop being so afraid to venture off on my own, but for now, it's my comfort level to stay within the pattern!)
Love it! Marleene
oh drooling...
ReplyDelete