I’ve been working on this project for a while, and I can’t believe this day is finally here!

Months ago, I began by designing the custom FreshStitches fabric, thought about what I’d want in a perfect bag, and put my fabric designs to a vote (so that my customers could pick their favorites). And, now…

FreshStitches project bags are here!

Aren’t they adorable? I’m like a proud mama of these bags, so you’re going to have to listen to their whole story (sorry… it’s my blog, and that’s how it is. Scroll down if you want to get straight to the ordering details.)

The journey from sketch to finished bag

I wanted to design a bag that I’d be really proud of: something adorable (but not too cutesy) that would be the right size for carrying a small project. I designed fabric, made prototypes and ended up with the bags you see before you!

Designing the fabric

If you’re in my Ravelry group, you’ll remember the initial vote for fabrics. I came up with lots of designs, and threw them out into the world:

I got lots of votes (and comments!) and winnowed the contenders down to the final 4. These lucky 4 fabrics went to the next level, where my Facebook fans would pick their favorite.

Oh… the race was a tight one! So tight, in fact, that it was a tie! Designs #1 and #4 both got turned into fabrics!

Printing custom fabric

I wish that I could sound all fancy and tell you that I have a special way of making fabric. But I don’t. In fact, printing custom fabric is really easy, and anyone can do it.

I use Spoonflower, which allows you to upload a design and order custom fabric in quantities as little as a yard. It’s genuis, and I love it.

There are lots of fabrics available, but I went with a soft, machine washable cotton. In a week or so, I had my fabric!

Designing the bag’s shape

In the meantime, I got to work making some bag prototypes. I knew that I wanted the bag to have a drawstring (snaps seem hard to do, and velcro sticks to your yarn!). I tried a couple shapes & sizes of the bag:

I decided that I liked a taller/skinnier bag best (things just kept trying to fall out of the wider one). I also wanted to keep the price on the bags down, so I did a bit of planning to maximize the usage of a yard of fabric.

The finished bags:

Drumroll, please! After all that planning and figuring, the bags are here! I’m very happy with them!

Each bag is:

• hand-sewn from a custom-designed fabric featuring our favorite owl: Nelson!
• measures 6″ wide by 10.5″ tall, the perfect size for small projects!
• 100% machine-washable cotton, and has been pre-washed
• easy-open, easy-close thanks to the superb drawstring!

In my opinion, they’re the perfect size for carrying a small project (like amigurumi or socks) on the go… slip in a skein of yarn, a hook and a folded up pattern. It’s an easy way to carry a project without worrying about losing pieces or getting your yarn tangled with your keys!

Order one, today!

Price is $12, plus shipping. Can’t decide which fabric is your favorite? Get them both for $22!

Select bag(s):

White/Rainbow owls $12 Blue/Brown owl $12 Get them both! $22

Domestic shipping (for up to 3 bags) is $1.50 (Canada: $2, other international countries: $2.50). No additional shipping is added if you are purchasing this bag in combination with a kit.

Your yarn WANTS to live here!

See… can’t you tell?

As if you weren’t already planning on ordering a project bag, I have one more thing that’ll spice of up the offer. Order a bag today, and get a free owl button!* How’s that for enticement?

So join me… store your project wrapped in cuteness!

*Just to be uber-specific, place your order before 10am EST on Friday, September 14th, and get your free button!

Tags: custom fabric, drawstring, owls, project bags

In: Blog, FreshStitches News