The Sewing Mom

Several of my readers have asked to see what bags I have for sale. As I’m just starting to get them listed in my Etsy shop, I’ve decided to post what I have available here. If you’re interested in anything, leave me a comment and I will contact you via email with specific detail of the bag you are interested in. I have several more in the works that I hope to finish in the next day or two and will post those pictures when I’m finished.

As my readers may know, I haven’t been feeling well due to severe sinus and allergy pain.  Unfortunately, it’s putting me behind in my sewing.  I have a sale coming up in July and I need to have quite a bit made and ready to sell by then, but in the last two weeks, I’ve completed only one bag.

Today, I sort of turned that around.  I’m still not feeling well, but, thanks to the weather, I got some sewing done.  You see, we had severe thunderstorms roll through earlier today and the power kept flickering on and off.  Finally, it went off and stayed off, so, after reading a few chapters in my book, I decided to cut out some fabric so that it would be ready to sew once the power was restored.

Incredibly, as I was finishing cutting out frog print fabric for the 2nd bag, the power came back on.  I turned on my sewing machine and managed to get both bags completed before having to go pick my daughter up from school.  I feel such a sense of accomplishment!

I will have to wait to take photos as my husband took the camera with him this morning on his business trip.  I’ll post pictures in the next day or two. 

I often get asked why the fabric bags that are made by hand, such as the ones I make, are so expensive. I thought I’d provide several reasons for those who’d like to know.

First of all, cheap fabric is not used. I could use it, but then the bag wouldn’t take wear and tear very well. Most cheap fabric can’t hold up to washing and tend to tear easily. So, reason #1 is quality fabric.

Next, most quality bags have some sort of interlining between the outer fabric and the fabric lining. In my case, I tend to use a nice thick craft fleece. I do the same in the handles to make them comfortable on the shoulders for carrying.

Also, as in this bag, some bags have hardware. This bag has a metal tube that works to keep the bag closed and secure. These can range in price from $9-15, depending on the size. Some bags have zippers. Obviously these are less expensive, but they do still add to the cost.

Finally, there is the time involved to make a bag. Not counting the time spent purchasing supplies or advertising the bag, simply making a bag can take many hours. The fabric has to be cut and then sewn with purchased thread. I don’t use cheap thread, I want it to last. There is a lot of pressing with the iron and more sewing. My latest bag also had decorative trim (an additional cost) surround the bag and on the handles. All of this takes time.

So, those are the primary reasons that drive the price up on quality fabric bag like this one.

I hope you’ve noticed that I’m attempting to sell some of the fabric bags that I’ve created. I have a few for sale in my right sidebar.

In my attempt to sell my creations, I have found another Online Auction Site I may have to try. The listings include everything from antiques to movies and possibly in the near future, my fabric bags!

What do you think? Are auction sites appealing to you? Do you use them? Are you a buyer or a seller?

My sister-in-law can’t seem to understand why the bags I make are more expensive than the ones she sees that are made in places such as China. Well, besides the fact that the ones I make are one of a kind and completely made by hand, I also use quality fabrics and threads to make my bags and I know they will stand up to everyday use.

That doesn’t mean I don’t make every attempt to find good deals on my supplies. Quality fabric is expensive, $9-$12 a yard. I am always on the look out for sales and outlets to purchase the fabric at discounted prices. Click here to check out a site I recently found that helps me find fabric, as well as other non sewing related items, at discounted and sometimes wholesale prices. I have found many links to online fabric shops and quilt stores that sell their fabrics online.

I’m just content knowing that I can continue to make quality fabric bags, with quality fabrics, at potentially lower prices.

This is just a reminder, I currently have two of my fabric bags for sale in my auction widget in the right sidebar.  If you are at all interested and would like more information, please leave me a comment.  Also, if you prefer not to bid but are interested in purchasing, leave me a comment and I will send you an email.

I’ve purchased quite a bit more fabric over the last week, including today and will be busy making more bags.  If you see one you like, let me know, no two are ever alike!