Sponsors
Sponsors
Lady Boutique Magazine 12-2016-204 (Roll-up compact shopping bag) Review
Review has 7 Very Helpful ratings
Posted 2025-01-14 11:41:13. 141 Views.
| Seamingly Simple
|
|
| AB Canada | |
| Member since 12/23/03 | |
| 241 Reviews (patterns: 190) | |
| Skill: Advanced | |
| Favored by 103 people | |
The story: I like those nylon grocery bags that roll up into a little cylinder, taking up little space in a purse. They are very handy for when you go into a store to "just look."
Pattern description: Lady Boutique is a Japanese sewing magazine that I quite like because it's straightforward to draft their patterns with paper and ruler. Their measurements are in centimetres, and you don't have to understand Japanese (but Google Translate's camera will translate Japanese text for you). From time to time, Lady Boutique includes patterns for craft items; the December 2016 issue included several bags.
Fabric used: Silk remnant from Liberty of London, gifted to me by my sister. It is a floral print with red gazebos that it reminded me of a Japanese garden--rather appropriate for using a Japanese pattern, I thought. Only 0.6 m were required for this bag, plus 2.2 m of double-fold bias tape for finishing edges, and 6 cm of Velcro for the closure.
Pattern alterations or design changes: I lengthened my bag 3 cm and eliminated one side seam by placing the pattern on the fold.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Lady Boutique provides illustrations in lieu of instructions. Google Translate helped me understand how to form the pleats and where to put the Velcro.
Assembly hints:
Conclusion: This bag is nicer than my store-bought models. The sides are pleated from the base up into the handles, which get folded double-thickness (more comfortable to carry). Rolling it up is a cinch: fold it in thirds, fold the handles down, roll into a cylinder, and secure with Velcro. The bag holds quite a bit, in case window shopping turns into so much more than that.
Pattern description: Lady Boutique is a Japanese sewing magazine that I quite like because it's straightforward to draft their patterns with paper and ruler. Their measurements are in centimetres, and you don't have to understand Japanese (but Google Translate's camera will translate Japanese text for you). From time to time, Lady Boutique includes patterns for craft items; the December 2016 issue included several bags.
Fabric used: Silk remnant from Liberty of London, gifted to me by my sister. It is a floral print with red gazebos that it reminded me of a Japanese garden--rather appropriate for using a Japanese pattern, I thought. Only 0.6 m were required for this bag, plus 2.2 m of double-fold bias tape for finishing edges, and 6 cm of Velcro for the closure.
Pattern alterations or design changes: I lengthened my bag 3 cm and eliminated one side seam by placing the pattern on the fold.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Lady Boutique provides illustrations in lieu of instructions. Google Translate helped me understand how to form the pleats and where to put the Velcro.
Assembly hints:
- Attach the Velcro last, when you can more easily figure out where the pieces go. The hook end goes on the strap, a piece of loop goes on the front of the bag (helping to hold your groceries inside), and a piece of loop goes on the back of the bag (for securing the bag when rolled up).
- French seams are ideal when using fray-prone fabric: sew 1/8" seam wrong-sides-together, turn and press, sew 1/4" seam right-sides-together.
Conclusion: This bag is nicer than my store-bought models. The sides are pleated from the base up into the handles, which get folded double-thickness (more comfortable to carry). Rolling it up is a cinch: fold it in thirds, fold the handles down, roll into a cylinder, and secure with Velcro. The bag holds quite a bit, in case window shopping turns into so much more than that.
Sort by First
14 Comments
ChicagoCalCal said...(1/19/25 11:38 AM ET)
Thank you for your review and sewing tips which I am going to use with a plastic grocery bag as my pattern. This is a perfect project for the many small pieces of fabric that are in my stash.
  LoveLilacs said...(1/16/25 9:20 PM ET)
The fabric itself (silk) and the print definitely puts it so many levels up from store bought. I like that it just rolls up. Very handy.
  Arbuck said...(1/16/25 6:00 PM ET)
Cute bag fabric! Nice work. Handy.
  NancyGT said...(1/16/25 0:15 AM ET)
do you have a url for the magazine? I'm intrigued, love the little bag!
  Seamingly Simple replied...(1/16/25 8:22 AM ET)
Lady Boutique magazines (current issues only) are available from YesAsia. Sadly, you can't see what's in an issue before you buy from them. If you happen to live somewhere with a Japanese community, such as San Francisco or Vancouver, Asian bookstores may carry it.
Sewiing Sue said...(1/15/25 7:47 AM ET)
Wonderful diagrams. Thanks.
  Wingdingdilly said...(1/14/25 9:04 PM ET)
What beautiful fabric! Who knew a rollable reusable bag could look so good? I'd be thrilled to see this out in the wild, so pretty!!
  Nata said...(1/14/25 6:41 PM ET)
Pretty and functional.
  Litapita said...(1/14/25 5:52 PM ET)
This must be the definition of luxury: a silk foldable shopping tote! I never thought about it, but of course several layers fabric are more comfortable to hold.
  SheBear0320 said...(1/14/25 4:08 PM ET)
What a great shopping bag! Love your fabric.
  silverdell said...(1/14/25 2:18 PM ET)
This is a great idea and the bag looks really nice. The neat folding is terrific!
  Cupid Dog said...(1/14/25 1:00 PM ET)
Great bag!! Much nicer than the nylon store bought ones! Love the colours.
  MelissaB in WA said...(1/14/25 12:18 PM ET)
That is fantastic! I love those small bags as well. I have a few thanks to two different PR weekends, but would love a few more. I appreciate the inspiration you provided me.
  blue mooney said...(1/14/25 12:09 PM ET)
Looks like a very nice bag! Makes me wish I had the magazine.
 
Any registered trademarks mentioned on this page are the property of their respective owner. Valid and accurate reviews and comments are the responsibility of their posters. As per its Terms and Conditions, PatternReview.com is not responsible for and does not validate or verify the accuracy of these statements. Posters you are responsible for your comments so please ensure that these are substantiated.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns






