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Basic d.i.y. accessories! BAGS & POUCHES - BELTS Make your own bags and pouches! Nothing sets off your outfit better than a bag in contrasting colours to your clothes. And they're a great place to keep your car keys and phone so they don't get lost or stolen on the grounds. It's not that difficult to make your own. Basic pouches for both men and women use 2 or 4 seams and the trick to looking good is in your selection of colours. At right are two U-shaped pouches made from the exact same pattern but in different colours. The tan one is suited to a workman, but the coloured one with contrasting drawstring might belong to someone wealthier who could afford a better grade of coloured leather. Choose what is appropriate for your character. For the lady who fanciest something more stylish, a rectangular bag with tassels is the way to go. Again, mixing the colours gives added colour. The rectangular bag often has two drawstrings at the top with tassels on the ends and might be made of wool with embroidery, linen or silk. Tassels on existing bags are short, like the ones seen here at right, so trimming the tassels you can buy pre-made gives the right look. Making the pouches is very easy, even for a novice sewer. Generally, there is one or two seams and you're done. Adding tassels is a little trickier, but very pretty. Note that tassels are generally found on square or trapezium shaped pouches and not on U-shaped pouches. To make Pouch A Select your fabric and cut two for the front and back on the outside and another two of a lining material. Keeping the top open, sew down the side, across the bottom and up the other side. Repeat for the lining. Making the U shape is easy. Start with a rectangle and curve the bottom edges off a little. If you're not very confident about cutting a curve, use a teacup for marking the fabric first! BEFORE you sew your lining into the inside of the bag, take a minute to either sew or punch the eyelet hole or holes on the outside of your outer bag. It is very difficult to do this once you have sewn them together. Do not sew eyelet holes on the lining. Then sew the lining into the outer of the bag, stitch up the top and add another row of stitching to make the casing for the drawstring. Pouch A can be made with one drawstring with or without a bead which slides up the drawstring to keep it closed or with two drawstrings which draw against each other. To make Pouch B. Select your fabric and cut two for the front and back on the outside and another two of a lining material. Keeping the top open, sew down the side, across the bottom and up the other side. Repeat for the lining. You will need to make sure your tassels are on the inside of the bag with the strings poking through at the bottom so when you turn your bag the right way out, they will be on the outside. If you are having trouble with getting the tassels to sit still while you sew them, try stitching the tassels to only the back before you sew the front on. It will hold them in place before you join the two sides together. BEFORE you sew your lining into the inside of the bag, take a minute to either sew or punch the eyelet hole or holes on the outside of your outer bag. It is very difficult to do this once you have sewn them together. Do not sew eyelet holes on the lining. Then sew the lining into the outer of the bag, stitch up the top and add another row of stitching to make the casing for the drawstring. Pouch B has two drawstrings which draw across each other.   VISIT OUR PARENT SITE Copyright © Rosalie Gilbert All text & photographs within this site are the property of Rosalie Gilbert unless stated. Artifact images remain the property of the owner. Images and text may not be copied and used without permission.