How to make a reversible hobo bag

Before the summer is over, I would like to share with you a fun sewing project. I will show you how to make a reversible hobo bag, using 1.25 yards of 2 different types of heavy cotton fabrics in 46” width. If you have only 1 yard, you can cut the strap in two pattern pieces and still use it too.
The bag is unique because has side pockets( total of 4) which you can use at one time for your phone, bottle of water, baby bottle, etc.
 I used a black/white print fabric from Ikea for one side and a denim for the other side.
There are only 3 pattern pieces: Body (pattern1) Strap/side/bottom (Pattern 2) and pockets .Here are the steps:
1. Cut both fabrics, including pockets.

                                         
                                               

2. Fabric A. Sew the Pattern #2 Strap/Bottom together at the widest point. Press seams open. Now you have the straps and bottom of bag.
 3. Serge all 4 pockets edges and sew the top edge by turning it 1”. Press( with iron) the seam allowances of the other 3 sides by folding them towards the wrong side.

4. Sew Fabric A pockets on each side of straps 1.5” bellow the top edge level of bag.
5. Pin the body (Pattern #1) of one side of bag by matching the notch on the bag with the seam of the bottom of bag. Sew it all around slowly at curve ( you have pined a straight seam with a curved one and need to end up with a curved seam).

6. Pinned and sew the other side of the bag’s body.
7. Press all seams open and clip at curve to release tension.

                                           
                                                 

8. Fabric B. Repeat steps from Fabric A.

                                                   

9. Sew the ends at top of straps together on each bag. Press the seams open.

 10. Position one bag inside the other by placing right side to right side of both fabrics. Sew the fabric A to fabric B around one side of the opening only, all the way to the straps going full circle. Use the two matching threads. Press the seam open.

NEXT STEP IS IMPORTANT but helps you not to sew it twisted, so it would turn out properly.

 11. Turn the bag right side out so you have right side of the fabric outside and inside as well. Fold the unfinished edge in the middle area of the bag( seam allowance width)by holding the two unsewn edges of fabric right side to right side and the tab sandwiched in the middle. While holding this edge place a pin on the wrong side through both layers. Turn the bag inside out gently so you do not lose the pin. Pin the rest of the edge. (If you do not use the tabs, still turn the seam allowance and hold the edges by hand while turning the bag inside out).
12. Sew this last edge, by leaving around 4”-5"unsewn hole around the wider area of the bag( before you reach the straps, because it would be too narrow and very hard to pull it through if your fabric is heavy) so you can flip it. Press seams open, while is still not flipped.

                                   

13. This is a bit tricky, but not hard :). Pull the whole bag slowly through the opening that you left. Fold(tuck inside) the seam allowance of the area that you left open and press it with the iron in place. Close this opening by sewing an edge stitch (really close to the edge) with matching threads.

                                         

14. Complete the bag by adding an edge stitch to both sides of the bag’s opening.

Voila!

I hope you found it easy to  make. The pattern is available in my shop.
Thank you for stopping by!
Zoica

Artist Showcase - Wooden Decorate - Wooden Eco Home Decor

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase.  This week's artist is Danislav from Wooden Decorate. Danislave is from the Ukraine and all his woodwork is done by hand not by machine. Every item is unique and made ​​with love.  Here is one of Danislav's unique items:

Rustic Guest Book

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I am a student in Poland. I come from Ukraine.  My mom has shops on Etsy, so I decided to open my own shop. Since childhood, I have enjoyed doing interesting things with wood. My grandfather taught me how to work with wood, sawing, and wood burning projects. My mom helps me in my work. I have a lot of ideas, and my mother helped me to find materials, grandfather helps with good advices.

Dragonfly Wooden Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

My sales inspire me to new and interesting things. I love use not only wood in my work. I also use natural dried flowers, decoupage napkins, ecological paints, natural leather etc. I try to make interesting and original things. I love exclusive jewelry, ornaments and decors.

Dog Wooden Photo Album/Scrapbook

What advise can you give anyone starting out on Etsy?

When I was a freshman on Etsy, many members of the different teams helped me with advices. It is a warm and friendly mood on Etsy. Therefore, I would advise everyone who make an interesting things by hands, try to sell your products here.

Wood Décor - Wedding Décor

 

Thanks Danislav for sharing your story and you lovely designs with us.

 

Next week we'll showcase another Etsy artist.  If you are interested in being featured, just drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

 

Until next time...

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

 

 



Friday Finds-Fall Fashion

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “Fall Fashion” and we selected a lovely treasury curated by Lena from “WhiteGirrafe”, and called “Cozy Autumn Fashion”. If you are a jewelry lover, you can find something for your new design from her hundreds of Czech beads, rustic, lampwork and glass beads. You can start with a basic string beading and make a bracelet first.

Here is a fall looking string of beads from WhiteGiraffe's collection:

Czech Glass Faceted Rondelle Beads, Picasso Brown Yellow

Treasury: Cozy Autumn Fashion We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “September Gifts”. If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

French Inspired Artwork by Susan Newberry Designs

Although I have never been to France, I love all things French.  If you are familiar with my store, you will have noticed that a lot of my designs have a French theme.  Today I thought I would share some of them with you. 

Did you know that it's only 3383 miles from Atlanta to Paris?

Paris Sign by Susan Newberry Designs

 

Eiffel Tower Typography

 

Paris Typography Heart

 

Paris London Rome Print

 

Paris Always a Good Idea Print

 

Bon Appetit Print

 

If you love French themed art as much as I do, check out my Etsy store, Susan Newberry Designs.  If you don't see what you want, remember I love custom orders.  Custom work keeps my creative juices flowing!

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 



Artist Spotlight - Zillas Queen

As you know each Monday we promote a fellow Etsy artist.  Today's artist is Victoria Zilla from Zillas Queen.  Victoria specializes in statement necklaces, pins, bracelets, rings and sunglasses using vintage finds.

Here is one of Victoria's lovely items:

Flower Brooch Pearl Houndstooth Statement Necklace

Tell us a little bit about your philosophy.

It's important to celebrate vintage style and play with vintage remixing! Supporting creativity and all the components gathered during the process! Working primarily with vintage components such as vintage pearls, beads, brooches & more...This is how we bring the vintage beauty out to play! We also support other artists. Supporting other artists has been such a gift and beautiful friendships have developed.

Pearl Flower Flapper Choker Statement Necklace

Where do you get your inspiration?

The Vintage Appeal has always inspired me, and for a while I thought I was born within the wrong era, as what I preferred was such a throw back! So I took the thought of Vintage Remixing, rolled up my sleeves, hiked up my skirt and RAN with it.....in classic Vintage Style of course ;)

Flower Brooch Crystal Necklace

What is your process for your creations?

Counselor by day, Mama & Create-tess all other times! When ZQ is beading she is in the zone! Her cat often sits beside her & shares in the process...napping all the way through ;) It's hard to put a piece down or walk away once I've started...I have the vision as soon as I see the elements layed out and I just want to see it come to life! The evolution of a piece is what's most inspiring...this process can take up to 4-5 hours at a time! All the elements just speak to me!

Rose Heart Houndstooth Checkered Statement Earrings

What advice can you share about your business and selling online?

Balance: This is the KEY, balance...still trying to navigate my way through working & building this business...it's a tricky thing! Learning better ways I go through the journey though. My roles as a counselor & designer overlap so much that sometimes it's just natural to do both! Trusting the process, learning and growing and promoting kindness is my mission and this is seen in both my "forms." Victoria Zilla is like an alter ego with a strong purpose with resonates with who I am as a person.

Repurposed Vintage Retro Cluster Flower Cocktail Statement Ring

If you want to see more of Zillas Queen:

ZQs Facebook Page

ZQs Instagram

Bird Checkered Butterfly Pearl Statement Bracelet

Thank you Victoria for sharing your inspiration with us. 

Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to spotlight.  If you are interested please contact Zoica or myself via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

Friday Finds September Gifts

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “September Gifts” and we selected a lovely gray themed treasury curated by Svitlana from SvitlanaSky. Her treasury is called “September”. Svitlana is a very talented knitter who creates beautiful baby accessories.


Here is one of her adorable creations:
                       
                                Crochet baby girl hat

Treasury:

"September"

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Fall Fashion”. If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Artist Spotlight - Kauai Artist

Happy Monday!  Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight.  This week the spotlight is on Marionette from Kauaiartist. Marionette beautiful paintings feature tropical flowers, plantation cottages, Kauai landscapes, Hula, turtles, roosters and more.  Here is one of her beautiful paintings:

Original Watercolor Plumerias on a Sunny Day

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I am a full time artist living "the dream" on the beautiful, tropical island of Kauai in Hawaii. My art studio, Painting Paradise, is located on the island’s sunny west side. It is both my teaching location as well as the place where I create and produce my Etsy paintings and prints. I teach watercolors, acrylics, pastels, silk painting, encaustics, Chinese brush painting, and am now experimenting with alcohol inks on YUPO paper.

Tropical Hibiscus Print from Kauai 

How did you get your start?

I am a Michigan native, but in 1992 I took my first vacation to the island of Kauai and knew I would move there some day to pursue my art career full time. I just fell in love with the colors of the islands. I started painting watercolors featuring such flowers as orchids, birds of paradise, and hibiscus from the reference photos I took while on vacation. I sold my first original painting at a local coffee shop and have been hooked ever since.

In 1999 I opened a small studio in Michigan where I was a weekend artist while I was still working at my day job in the chemistry field. I also took lots of art workshops and studied with my fellow artists in the community. In 2004, I finally quit my full time job and made the move to Hawaii after lots of planning and preparation.

In 2007 I opened up Painting Paradise to teach art and then started selling on Etsy in 2008 after a good friend encouraged me to join. It has all been a wonderful experience!

 

Original Sea Turtle Reverse Acrylic Painting

Where do you get your inspiration?

The inspiration for my art comes from all around this breathtaking island of Kauai. Kauai is also known as the Garden Isle as it is a truly lush, tropical paradise. We are surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean with it's amazing sea creatures. The mountains are emerald green and are home to the wettest spot on the Earth, Mount Wai'ale'ale. Tropical flowers bloom all year long. Need I say more?

 

Kauai Kilohana Rooster Original Watercolor Painting

 
What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I was contacted here on Etsy by a designer from Victoria's Secret to do a commission painting of a plantation cottage on the beach for their swimsuit collection featuring artists from Hawaii. I was so excited to ship that painting to their headquarters on Broadway! If it wasn't for Etsy, they probably never would have found me.

 

Violet Cattleya Orchid Watercolor Painting

What challenges do you face selling online?

Selling online has been great! I have sold all over the world to people who have been to Kauai or who just love my art. It is a great venue and definitely gives me more exposure than if I just sold at my brick and mortar gallery. In fact, I often have people who are on vacation visit my art studio who first saw my work here on Etsy. The biggest challenge for me selling online is usually shipping the larger paintings. I have started using UPS to pack and ship the large ones and that seems to work very well.

 

Orchids and Butterfly 8x8 Print

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

If you are just starting out on Etsy, then make it a goal to have at least 50 items in your shop. The more items you have, the more key words people will have to search and end up in your shop to buy something. I see shops all of the time with just a few items complaining that they aren't selling anything. I found that once I had over 200 items in my shop, my sales really started to take off.

If you look at the most successful shops here, you will see the connection between lots of choices and lots of sales. It just makes sense. If you go into a brick and mortar store and only see a few items, you would possibly think, "Are these guys serious?" But, when you go into a store and there are hundreds of items to choose from, you will do some shopping and probably leave the store with a purchase.

My other advice is to give great customer service and to do lots of marketing on social media. You have to tell people that you are selling something. It's just that simple. If they know about it...they will come!

 

Sumi Style Lotus Flower Original Watercolor Painting

 

Want to see more of Marionette?

 

Check out her Blog

 

Follow Marionette on Facebook

 

Follow Marionette on Twitter

 

Thank you Marionette for sharing your story and your beautiful artwork with us. 

 

Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to spotlight.  If you are interested please contact Zoica or myself via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,