So I’ve been making more bags. Which is funny, since it’s something I’ve sworn I wouldn’t want to ever make. I guess having too many kimono floating around makes you have to do something with it.
Today, I finally got around to making a test of something I’ve been bouncing around in my head for a while now – bags big enough to fit an iPad or laptop in, out of the embarrassing amount of obi I own.
I realized as I cut into this obi, featuring my absolute love of a design – the Kanagawa Wave – that if I mucked it up, I’d be so mad at myself. Also, I may have boughten this obi to actually wear, but seeing as I haven’t altered a few of the kimono I have to fit me, I guess it’s not happening. Mine as well make something I’ll use, right?
Anyways, cutting into things like this is the most nerve wracking thing to me. No going back. And I just decided to wing it, not making a trial out of muslin or something first. Which has always been my downfall. I spend a lot of time planning, but jump right in to it most of the time.
Fortunately, it worked out this time in my favor! Phew!
The cool thing is, I don’t have to line these myself. Using the old obi (which a few stink of mothballs still, even after cleaning) is actually a godsend. Since obi are meant to be worn, and you sometimes see both the fancy outer, and plain in st, it has to be of good fabric all around.
That means, for me, the lining on the bag is the under side of the obi, usually a really heavy silk satin. It looks spiffy, and means I don’t have to add a stupid amount of bulk to these with extra lining.
I have a new laptop bag! Yay!!
And since I never just leave a good thing alone, I decided it was a chance to make another one, only a little more complicated. While this will work fine for me, I wanted to do something a bit more by adding a pocket for random stuffs to it.
I dug out this obi, which I originally bought to cover the edges of our couch that the cats have destroyed. That was my plan at least, don’t judge! But, it would make a great bag, right?
… bag it is.
Also, I realized I have not put a zipper in anything other than one dress in the past 5 years or so, so, that was fun. Like riding a bicycle. If you fall off a lot.
The zipper is in the middle, I swear it. I just took a crap photo of it.
Anyways, pocket installed, large enough for some pens, sewing kit, or whatever normal people carry in their purses.
Now, I just need to pick up the supplies to make a strap for them, and then I think I’m done! Yay! Something fun and different, and gives me a chance to use all those obi I compulsively buy!
So that’s today’s project! I may make more, but it is so damned humid out that I’m hiding under the AC in the living room writing this, trying to cool down.
What do you think? Kind of neat, right? I may put some up for sale in my store – luilu.storenvy.com – eventually, if people like them!
Update: January 2020
So while I have made quite a few of these (and sold a few, too!) I don’t have a storefront set up for handmade things yet. But they may be up here soon, keep an eye on this blog for more info in the future!
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