This gorgeous Chocolate Cake Bag was made by Annalisa Ponti who studied with me on 'Novelty Vintage Bags' at Central Saint Martins. It opens with a zip and she made the sweets and chocolates on its' top from felt, ribbon and beads.
If you are studying with me on Novelty Vintage Bags at Central Saint Martins you will be shown how to adapt a traditional soft toy pattern into a trendy, show-stopping bag! It doesn't take too much imagination to see how by adding handles and zips this felt duck and duckling could become a 'Duck Bag' and matching 'Duckling Coin Purse'.
I couldn't resist adding this 'Hen Bag' to my blog! It's made from rubber with nylon handles and is available from Pylones USA.
This 'Watering Can Bag' is designed by Laurent Lucas. A similar bag could be made by adapting the 'Bucket Bag' shape that I have developed from my 'Love Bird Bag' pattern.
I have also been working on a 'Scottie Dog Bag'. I had intended to make it up in black but I love the look of this pink 'Dachshund Bag' by Moschino.
The pattern for my 'Caravan Bag' could be easily adapted to make a 1950s 'Ice-Cream Van Bag' or elongated and made up in psychedelic fabric to make a 1960s 'Magic Bus Bag'. For inspiration check out Google Images.
Whilst working out a pattern for a 'Stage-Coach Bag' like this one by Braccialini, I decided to try turning it upside down to make a 'Caravan Bag'. I could also use this shape and some hand embroidery to create a bag that looks like the decorative front of a Romany caravan.
I just absolutely love this 'Braccialini Clock Bag' which could easily be decorated to look like a 'Cuckoo-clock Bag' or a 'Gingerbread House Bag'. If you are studying with me on Novelty Vintage Bags at Central Saint Martins this summer we will not be working with leather, but there is no reason why you can't make a bag inspired by this one, in fabric.
By increasing the top circumference of my 'Love Bird Bag' whilst keeping the bottom the same, its pattern can be adapted to make a bucket or flower pot shape and adorned with fabric flowers as seen here on this beautiful 'Lulu Guinness Bag'. I will be showing how to make different types of fabric flowers on Novelty Vintage Bags at Central Saint Martins.
The same pattern could be stood on its side with a flat bottom to make a 'Swiss Roll Bag' or even just a 'Slice of Swiss Roll Bag'! Slices of Swiss roll made from felt available on Etsy.
The pattern that I have used for my 'Love Bird Bag' could also be adapted to make a Lulu Guinness style 'Chocolate Box Bag'. Or, inspired by all the wonderful felt food on Etsy, the circumference could be increased and the height reduced to make a 'Strawberry Gateaux Bag' or even a two tiered 'Wedding Cake Bag'. This cake is available from Gulf Coast Cottage on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37675148
I have developed a pattern inspired by the Lulu Guinness 'Bird Cage Bag'. This basic shape could be decorated to look like a dove cot, a band stand or a Chinese lantern etc. It has a solid bottom and a draw-string top. As you can see I have tested the pattern in calico and drawn directly onto the calico an idea for appliqué embroidery or hand painting.
This is a close-up of the front door to my 'Cottage Bag'. As you can see I have used several different embroidery stitches which I teach on Embroidery Level 1 at Central Saint Martins. http://www.arts.ac.uk/csm/courses/short-courses/fashion-and-textiles/textile-design/embroidery---level-1/
If you have booked a place on this course you will be provided with a selection of basic patterns to adapt. The first pattern that I have developed is inspired by the Lulu Guinness House Bags. I have tested the pattern by making it up in calico and sketched in where I want the door and windows to be. My bag is going to be a country cottage but yours could be a Parisian cafe, a seaside rock shop, a Swiss chalet or even a garden shed.
