Teachers Bag

At our Rotary Cutters Quilting Group meetings of May and June, all except one of our members stitched Teachers Bags.  I am not sure where the name originated from, but that is what these bags are locally referred to.  Elsa, who won first prize at Bloemshow 2023 with her bag, told us all the tips and tricks she used for her show piece.  From first drawing the template for the bag by measuring the plastic file organizer which are used as an insert, to hiding the zips ends as well as the side pockets and various other practical advice.

I rummaged in my drawers for fabric and found this pastel-colored floral piece which I paired with tie dye fabric bought earlier this year from Curtain Dream.  Locally the same fabric is sold at almost double the price, so I will definitely support them again in the future.  

On the side pockets I embroidered designs from the Flower Market Set 2 by Hatched in Africa which I bought earlier this year when Secrets of Embroidery held their Gold, Silver and Diamond sale.  It is like an online shopping mall where various designers sell their artwork.  During this sale design sets which normally sell for $35 or more are marked down to $1 - for sure a sale one shouldn't miss out on.

                                        I think these designs compliment the fabric excellent. 

 

The file organizer looks like this

and here it is in inserted inside the bag

with the bag fully opened.

Closed the bag looks like this.

To help keep the loose flaps on top in place, Elsa gave us the advice to add some weight to it which I did by adding blue and pink satin ribbon with these beautiful large beads.  I also add the same beads with a tassel to the side pocket's zips and some small blue and turquois flower buttons to the top of the straps.

Elsa's bag

Frances's bag

Rika's bag

2023 is turning out to be a very fruitful year for our group with 3 projects already done and a new project starting with our next meeting on the 11th of July.