I am a Bag Lady

It's true I am. The wardrobe full of bags in my room is proof. And that suitcase under my bed, and in the loft.

I first taught myself to make bags whilst I was at sixth form college, when I first decided I was brave enough to use a sewing machine. I broke my mum's sewing machine trying to sew through about 6 layers of fabric to make the bags stronger. I had a bit of a penchant for using polka dot fabric, and gingham, and for box like structures with fraying edges (hems took much too much extra time). Very few of these first bag experiments have survived, thankfully.

You will be pleased to hear that my bag making skills have improved since the broken sewing machine and polka dot era. I use wool, or cotton fabrics now, lined nicely, all with hems, and most of the time I use a proper strap material (I also have a new sewing machine, that was recommended as harder to break). My quirks come out by using oversize buttons that have no purpose, and using contrasting lining fabrics. The selection of shoulder bags, and totes (as well as some shopping bags with my own actual designs printed on), are available on my craft fair stalls, and on my folksy shop (www.folksy.com/shops/annalou56).