Thursday, April 8, 2010

Oilcloth-Lined Bag Giveaway


Today at The Handy Hausfrau, I'm having a giveaway.  I've been busy sewing up a storm this week and thought this was the perfect time to share the goods with you, my readers. Let me give you a little background.  I'm a sucker for bags and purses.  Tiny things into which I can put tiny things make me happy.  But since I had kids 5 years ago, I've noticed a problem.  Everytime I find just the right bag to hold my wallet and other goods for an outing, the bottom of it inevitably ends up doused by leaky sippy cups.

My goal was to create a cute bag that could hold everything I need for a playdate or a trip to the zoo, but would be waterproof on the inside to protect the cuteness on the outside from spoiled milk.  Enter my new best friend - oilcloth.  You might remember this collapsible bowl that I made from oilcloth. I wanted to incorporate the waterproof and easy-cleaning characteristics of oilcloth while still maintaining the soft feel of fabric on the outside. (Did anyone notice how much that last sentence just sounded like a commercial for cotton?  "The touch, the feel of cotton...hum, hum, hum.")

Anyway, the first step was to dig in my craft closet for some remnants. Here was the result:


The flowery fabric was purchased from the unwanted cuts bin at Wal-mart for $2.30; the pink oilcloth was purchased from Mendel's; the camel-colored fabric was leftover from when I reupholstered the couch at our ski-condo; and the mottled pattern was from a fat-quarter package I bought ten years ago off a clearance rack at a quilting store.

Next step was to track down a pattern.  I'm an good seamstress, but have never ventured into creating my own patterns.  I wanted some help from a pro.  I found this pattern for the Jordy Bag by Jordynn Mackenzie, a Toronto-based graphic and web designer and self-taught seamstress. The Jordy Bag wasn't exactly what I needed, but it was a good starting point, and I altered the pattern to fit my needs. It is also the best tutorial that I could find online for making a lined bag like I wanted. Thanks, Jordynn, for such an easy to follow and free tutorial!

Jordynn's pattern makes a larger tote bag, so I sketched out my own measurements for something a bit smaller. Rather than using a solid piece for the outside of the bag, I spliced two different fabrics together to give the bag a sturdy base (the upholstery fabric). For the inside, I used oilcloth rather than fabric.  Jordynn's straps are the same color on both sides, but I wanted to shake things up a little, so I cut two strips of coordinating fabric and top stitched them together for each strap.

Here's the final result:


This bag is 12.5" wide at the opening and stands 10.5" high.  And my favorite part?


When you peek inside you get a glimpse of the whimsical polka-dotted oilcloth.

I made the second bag in the same manner, but with slightly different dimensions. The striped fabric was leftover from recovering a cushion that sits on a deacon's bench in our entry way.  The red fabric on the straps is the same red bedsheet purchased from a yard sale that I used as bias tape on the collapsible bowl.


This bag is 8.5" wide at the opening and stands 11.5" tall.  It's the perfect size for a Nalgene or Kleen Kanteen, your wallet, keys and a digital camera.  OR, it would make the perfect gift bag for a bottle of wine delivered to a friend.  She can drink the wine and keep the bag as her own day-out tote.  Take a peek inside at the fun oil cloth surprise:


So, I've given you enough information to make your own little bag.  Or, you could enter my giveaway to win one of these two that I made for you.  Here's how it works:

On April 15, 2010, I will pick two winners with Random Number Generator. The first winner picked will have first pick of the bags.  The second winner will receive the other bag. Either way, you're a winner.

There are multiple ways to enter the giveaway.  Here's how:
  1. Leave a comment on this post.  Let me know which bag you like and what sort of goodies you would carry in it. (1 entry)
  2. Follow The Handy Hausfrau blog.  Click on the "Follow" button on the Google Friend Connect box in the sidebar. (1 entry)
  3. Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post.  Leave me a comment with a link to your post. (2 entries).
  4. Subscribe via RSS to The Handy Hausfrau (1 entry). You can do this under the brown bottlecap in the sidebar.
  5. Subscribe via email to The Handy Hausfrau (1 entry). Enter your email in the sidebar and click the "Subscribe" button.
  6. Become a fan of The Handy Hausfrau's Facebook page here (1 entry). Leave me a comment to let me know.
  7. Follow The Handy Hausfrau on Twitter here (1 entry). Leave me a comment to let me know you're following.
  8. Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry).  Leave me a comment with a link to your tweet.
  9. Grab my button and post it in your own sidebar (2 entries). Leave me a comment with a link to your blog.
That's all folks.  Lots of ways to enter.  Giveaway will end at 11 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Thanks for reading and happy DIY'ing!

The Girl CreativePhotobucket

86 comments:

  1. Hi Sara, just recently found your blog...LOVE IT! I really like that roses bag. Count me it. Sally [email protected]

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  2. And I'm following you on facebook. Yep, I love that roses bag. Thanks for having this drawing. I haul around my 9 grandkids often...I need this classy looking bag. Sally [email protected]

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  3. I love the first bag with the floral pattern. I have three little girls ages 6, 4 1/2 and almost 2 so I would be carrying a variety of items from diapers, wipes, fruit snacks, juice boxes, small books, combs, hair bows, and of course I'd try to stuff my own stuff in too like my wallet and coupons. :)

    [email protected]

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  4. I really love the roses/flowery bag! It's lovely! Although they both are! I would use the bag to take to the farmer's market on saturday mornings! I usually get a little each week! I could tote it in style! xo

    kimberly.long at gmail dot com

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  5. following your blog in google friend connect! xo

    kimberly.long at gmail dot com

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  6. subscribed to your blog in rss feed! xo

    kimberly.long at gmail dot com

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  7. subscribed via email xo

    kimberly.long at gmail dot com

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  8. following you on twitter @sparkily

    xo
    kimberly.long at gmail.com

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  9. Your bags are both so cute! The first one is my fav. :-)

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  10. I prefer the bag with the pink polka dots & flowers. It's REALLY cute! (Normally I don't do all the 'entries/ways to win' on a blog, but love your blog & I RELALY want that bag so I'm doing it ALL!!!

    Honey

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  11. I blogged about you!
    http://mondorfment.blogspot.com/2010/04/handy-hausfrau-giveaway.html

    Honey

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  12. Subscribed to the feed!

    Honey

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  13. Starting to feel like an annoying weenie with all the entries....but...what if you're already receiving the emails? Does that count?

    Honey

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  14. Second entry for the blog post...
    http://mondorfment.blogspot.com/2010/04/handy-hausfrau-giveaway.html

    Honey

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  15. how ADORABLE!! the bag with the roses is my favorite!! ♥

    Thanks for linking up to I'm Lovin' It! Have a GREAT weekend!

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  16. Love the striped bag...
    A few diapers, wipes, wallet, and cellphone.

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  17. I love the floral bag! So pretty! I would use it to carry around some goodies when going out with the kids.
    [email protected]

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  18. http://twitter.com/loggedout/profile/Mondorfment

    Retweeted you!
    Honey

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  19. I'm following you on twitter...lord it actually feels like stalking...

    @Mondorfment

    Honey

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  20. Button button I've got your button! www.mondorfment.blogspot.com

    Honey

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  21. And again...button b...yadda..
    mondorfment.blogspot.com

    I will now keep a distance of 5 5 blogs until your next post that I'll be reading. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm seriously excited about it. Yes, I know it's sad, but that bags SOOOO cute!

    Honey

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  22. Love the striped bag! Would be perfect for our trips to the lake this summer :)

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  23. I'm so happy to find your blog, saw the word about your giveaway on TidyMom's tweet! What an adorable blog you have! I L.O.V.E. both bags! I am a huge oilcloth fan and rarely see it, unfortunately, so I'd love either bag! I guess if I had to pick, I'd pick the floral/polka dot one.

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  24. I'm following you on Twitter, too :) Now, I'll leave you alone - ha!

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  25. I like them both, but I think I like the striped one best. =) Susan J.

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  26. I like the stripped bag best. I would carry all of may random stuff in it.

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  27. Oh, gorgeous! I love the stripped bag a lot! I would definitely carry all of our lake stuff, beach stuff, baseball stuff, RV stuff, play stuff, and other stuff in it. {Yep, I have lots of stuff!}

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  28. Found you through Mod Podge Rocks! I love the bags and the tutorial. Love the size of the flower print, but the stripes are more my style.

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  29. Hi Sara, just found your fun blog today through ModPodge Rocks. I love it! I would just love to win one of these great bags. My favorite is the Pink Polka Dots! I have always been a fan of Oilcloth. I would use it daily to cart around everything, from water bottle and snack for my daughter's track events to work items for meetings with my fellow Mermaids!

    We are now following you on Twitter, Google Friends Connect and on Facebook! Mermaids of the Lake is an ezine for women and we have a blog of the same name! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Mermaid Debbie

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  30. Oh..if I was picked I would chose the Floral print with the pink polka dots. But I would love either bag.

    And what would I carry in it..I would make it my every day purse. But it would be great to carry when I go to the hospital.

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  31. I am also a Google Friend Follower!
    Thank you!
    Kim Buck @ [email protected]

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  32. And I absolutely LOVE the polka dot (inside) bag. You are very creative and talented. Gosh, What would I place in this bag if I was fortunate to win one? Let's see...sand toys. I take my daughter to the park a lot and she loves to play in the sand there and I am always dragging her sand toys around in my trunk causing a BIG mess! UGH!
    Thank you for this opportunity!
    God Bless,
    Kim Buck @ [email protected]

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  33. Darling totes. Love them both but the flower one is my fav and would look so cute for church with all my teaching materials in it!!

    myneckcandy(at)comcast(dot)net

    -jeannie

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  34. Hi Sara, I've just found you through Tip Junkie, glad I did!
    We're in spain however so not sure if you're open to international entries! If you are...
    I love the first bag with the floral and pink polka dots..My daughter LOVES pink of course and we would carry all our beachy and picnic supplies!
    Thx for sharing!

    www.choochmagooz.blogspot.com

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  35. I've also just become a follower on google friend connect!

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  36. OH, I love them both but having to pick an ultimate favorite I'd go with the floral one.
    What would I carry? Easy....I had a baby in Feb (our 1st) and have yet to find a diaper bag that I like.....I'd use the bag for those quick trips out when I need a few baby supplies.
    Thanks for hosting!

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  37. I am now one of your facebook fans! Love your blog.

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  38. I am also a Google follower! So glad I came across your blog.

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  39. Posted a link on my blog.
    www.itsjustonemore.blogspot.com

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  40. I love your bags Sara! You are really getting into your groove :) I'm not going to enter the drawing - I want you to be able to give these away to your new followers. Just wanted you to know these are really great!

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  41. OH! I love the first bag you made...the one with the flowers and the pink inside (although they are both beautiful)! I would carry my wallet and lotion and such in it! :)


    thecountryblossom AT hotmail DOT com

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  42. I am a blog follower!!! :)


    thecountryblossom AT hotmail DOT com

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  43. I follow you on Twitter! KatyLMA


    thecountryblossom AT hotmail DOT com

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  44. Just found your blog and love it. I could never choose which bag so I hope I'm the second winner:)

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  45. I put your button on my blog and added you to my blog list. ooooo I hope I win.

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  46. Love the bags....the striped one is my favorite! I may have to try my hand at making one....unless I win!!

    Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!

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  47. I like your bag with the striped fabric.

    With a husband and 2 little grandkids, when ever we go anywhere I seem to be the collector of all those essentials for an outing and all the "Grandma, I HAVE to bring this ..." things.
    It is amazing what I clean out of my purse and pockets by the time we get home!!

    susan56bft at gmail dot com

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  48. The Handy Hausfrau follower via Google Friend

    susan56bft at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. The Handy Hausfrau Rss subscriber

    susan56bft at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. The Handy Hausfrau email subscriber

    susan56bft at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. The Handy Hausfrau fan on Facebook
    id:Susan Claus

    susan56bft at gmail dot com

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  52. I too have a love of bags (or a bag addiction as I'm told lol). I couldn't pick one over the other. Lunches for the park, snacks and drinks for a road trip, the ideas for uses would take up a whole blog post :) Please enter me for the give away and thank you for sharing!

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  53. I had you in my google reader rss feed but just used the google friend connect you recommended to "follow". Very handy!

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  54. Had already subscribed using rss feed reader (google reader).

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  55. the bag with the polka dots in the middle and i would carry whatever would fit in it

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  56. sub via rss feed to comments of theirs via google

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  57. ur button at bottom 1
    http://tiffanybethgetsextraentries.blogspot.com/

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  58. ur butoon at bottom 2
    http://tiffanybethgetsextraentries.blogspot.com/

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  59. I like the bag made of stripped fabric. I am not sure what it will be suitable for... but i believe that it is good for carrying few basic small things that i need when i go to the town (mobile phone, wallet, keys, umbrella). thanks.
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  60. I am blog follower
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  61. Twitter follower @Łubaska
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  62. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/12236018113
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  63. I'm now a follower too!!! Smileygirltoo at gmail dot com.

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  64. I wanted to send you a picture of my beautiful new bag on the beach...or when we go off to Disney this September, but I thought...I can't wait to share how much I love it. Thank you for creating another bag after the post office "lost" it. I know what happened...it was too pretty! The current issue with the bag is that the girls are fighting me over it. I feel silly too arguing with a 2 & 9 year old for the bag. But dern it! I WANT it!!! :)

    It's beautiful, I've been using it to pop snacks in & lets say how handy that water proof lining is. Sunshine put her taken apart almond butter & jelly sandwich right in it. Cool thing was...I wiped it out! It's da bomb diggity!

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