Shabby Chic Chambray Bags

I made these three bags as part of a swap and I must admit they took absolutely ages to make!  I think perhaps one would have been enough.  I am pleased with the way they turned out and would have like to have kept them!  However, that was not to be but I can always make more ( I always say that but  never do!).

The central motif on all 3 bags are fabric and  I used iron on adhesive backing to stick them to the cotton fabric.  I sewed lace trim around the edges of all 3 then cut the chambray pieces for the backs.  This material was a shirt which used to belong to my son (that he hardly ever wore) and I had kept it as I loved the softness and different patterns in the faded blue colour.  After sewing them into bags I made the casings for the drawstrings and then trimmed with more lace (this was the frilled edge of some lace curtains).

'Kitchen' front view

'Kitchen' back view

'Kitchen' charm, made out of an earring.

Lace flower on 'Kitchen'

'Kitchen' another front view showing buttons.

'Kitchen' chambray and lace flower.

'Kitchen'  lace trim flower with satin ribbon flower centre.

 

'Coffee' front view.

'Coffee' close up.

'Coffee' back view

 

'Coffee' flower close up

'Apples' front view

 'Apples' flower close up

'Apples' back view.

'Apples' charm close up.

I decided to  make some flowers out of chambray, broderie anglais, lace curtain and doilies.  I have a step by step tutorial which I will post separately.  After sewing the flowers on I added some buttons here and there.  I threaded the ribbon through and thought I was finished.  I had a quick look at the requirements of the swap and it said you had to have a charm so I made a charm for each bag.  I added the charms to the drawstrings because I thought it would be too much on the bag.  I had a lot of fun making the one with the beads and ended up buying a load of supplies to I can make some more!  Another hobby???  Cards, beads,  painting, sewing, altering, making flowers - no time left for housework obviously!

Thanks for looking and any comments very appreciated.

Anne :)