Make your own bag
Participants design and make bags to their own specifications. Examples include large bags to take to the allotment, small zip up bags for glasses or special carrying cases for medicines or stationary. Learners are taught basic skills to start them off then those skills are expanded as needed through the session.
Suitable for anyone, no sewing experience necessary, they will be taught everything they need to know.
Learn how a bit of scrap fabric and a zip can turn into a really helpful addition to your handbag.
This workshop can be run and run, if someone has done it before they will have more ideas for the next time.
By the end of the workshop learners will have learnt:
- How to use a sewing machine
- How to cut out a pattern in paper
- The importance of seam allowances
- How to insert a lined zip
- The principles of design thinking
- How to adapt a pattern
- How to design to a brief
Requirements – scrap fabric, sewing machines, thread, scissors, zips
We had an excellent day and I’m so proud of all the learners and what they achieved.
Starting people working in pairs where possible I got them to think about what they really need a bag organiser to do for them.
Here are some of the projects people defined, prototyped and made:
- A huge allotment bag with special sections for delicate vegetables
- A specialist bag for journalling supplies
- Protection for a medical instrument used at work
- Handy pop in and pop out, stand up bag organisers for keys, phone etc.
- A set of special little bags for different keys and glasses (epic applique on this one, the lady traced around her own glasses!)
I taught the learners a few different techniques, to use as suited them.
I also did a 5 minute activity when there was time to work with drop in people, this was a copy of the very handy little card holder IKEA gave me at the Greenwich opening.
I hope I left the place tidy enough for you, I apologise if there is any mess. If you have me back again I’ll get a later train home so I don’t have to run off so quickly.
I left some zips, reflective tape and some elastic for you to use again. These are all waste supplies from Bristol Scrapstore. All the learners should know how to put a lined zip in now but I’ve also left a half made bag and some variations of bags in your display as a memory jogger.
I’m really sorry but I couldn’t get the tablet to work – it needed a login and with no signal, no wifi, and after Manuel had left I didn’t have a way of finding one. A lot of the learners were regulars though so you might be able to get them to do it retrospectively.
I had 5 people in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, plus Manuel who was a delight and incredibly helpful. I had a shorter lunch and let the morning people stay on so they could do all day. It was great to meet Fred as well! I wish I’d had longer to talk to him.
2 people turned up with young kids and I had to turn them away. If they had turned up on time I might have been able to incorporate them into the session but they were late and it wasn’t possible without changing the whole plan at short notice. It was more a session for over 12’s anyway.
I have verbatim responses for you:
Great day as every, very well planned, great explanations and teaching style, enough direction and support to help but enough freedom to get on and do.
Brilliant workshop loved the flexible nature of the basic concept.
Would definitely recommend and would love to come again.
Another amazing workshop so good having all day here. Lisa you are so patient and good at explaining things. Learnt so much and you’re great!
I had an awesome time, loved the workshop and learnt so much.
I had a wonderful day making my bag organisers. Lisa was very patient and helpful and kind throughout the whole process. She encouraged me to keep trying even when I got it wrong. Thank you, I will cherish my little bag.
Had a lovely time stitching. We needed a full day. Hope you will be doing more classes in IKEA.
I had a great time today, sewing my own bag. It was really fun and I would definitely do it again.
With such a fantastic selection of scraps and fabric pieces it was impossible not to be creative! Thank you