Bag Hack

Remember that gorgeous nani IRO fabric that was gifted to me from KokkaUSA? Well, I had scraps after finishing it. Nice sized scraps. Hold onto that thought because now I am taking you down a rabbit hole.

Kokka Fabrics and Kokka USA are both present on Instagram tempting us with beautiful images of their fabrics and projects. You can also find them both on the web. I stalk them both and subscribe to the newsletters. You should too.

Their newsletters are packed not only with beautiful and inspiring photos, but they include patterns and tutorials. Free patterns and tutorials! They also sell their patterns on Etsy, but lets focus on the free right now. One of their free tutorials grabbed my attention. It was the Silhouette Bag by Mioko Sugino. I loved how the shape of the bag could change to take on different styles and looks. I am also a sucker for a new bag. Raise your hand if you have bags for every event and situation in your life (grocery bags, bags for sewing projects, bags for a quick shopping trip, bags for travel, bags for a dinner out....must I go on?).

If you haven't already left me for Kokka, thanks! Let me tell you what I did with those Kokka scraps. I modified the Silhouette Bag pattern from the tutorial. I am sorry to say that I was so excited I didn't take photos of the process, but this is what I did:

• I replaced the grommets with fabric tabs along the top seam

• I boxed the corners

• I used twist rope for the straps

• I constructed it by placing the interior into the exterior (RST), stitching a seam around the top and pulling it right side out through an opening in the lining

The whole process took less than an hour to make. And I love it! I took it to Greece on a holiday with my hubby and it was perfect. I folded it up and tucked it into my carry on, taking very little space. It was a great size to carry my phone and a few necessities to dinner or on shopping trips in old town Athens. I also carried it on our hike from Thira to Oia.

Thank you Kokka USA for the fabric (and inspiration)!