Blog Archives - Toots Totes

Fabrics and features, details and designs...and finally: Makes a Change

21/2/2016

My last post in this epic series!

Baby Change Bags

An essential piece of kit for the new Mum, often a bespoke request from Grandma to be!
The open sided first design unfolds, so that once the pockets have been emptied, you can attach the matching changing mat via velcro strips to lay baby onto an extra soft layer.

The other design is a conventional bag with a zipped top and a matching changing mat and oodles of pockets.

Priced from £85, depending on fabric and size of bag.

Choose a grown up fabric that maybe even Dad won't mind carrying!

Add oodles of pockets: zipped waterproof at the top, then two open pockets and a large pocket at the bottom.

Can be hung onto the back of the door as extra storage.

Conventional zip topped bag with matching changing mat with two elastic topped front pockets. (Sold for £85)

Choose a fun fabric for baby to enjoy as he gets older!

Waterproof padded change mat.

Mat fits into lower pocket

has a simple tie fastening and the double handle is a good length as a shoulder bag or to hang from the buggy handles.

And a waterproof pocket on the back.

Extra items: a zip topped purse or drawstring waterproof bag available for £12.50 each

Sturdy zipped top

Four elasticated pockets inside.

Pack it up and off you go!

Fabrics and features, details and designs...Don't carry a carrier: tote a tote

19/2/2016

All kinds of everything...

I've lumped the simple totes, zipped top totes and what's left together into one post.

Simple tote (Sold £25)

Big Bag with zipped top and genuine leather handles (Sold £60)

Woolly Wonder with zipped top (Sold £35)

Zipped top tote

Zipped top

Huge beach bag (Sold £50)

Woolly Wonder with buttoned flap (Sold £30)

Button and loop fastened shopper (for sale on Etsy £45)

Zipped top cross body bag (Sold £40)

Fabrics and features, details and designs...pack up your troubles...

17/2/2016

no, not in your old kitbag, but in your funky new...

Backpack

This was specifically requested as a bespoke design to ease the burden of carrying a heavy shoulder bag to work. A zip under the flap makes it more secure and double adjustable straps ensure the weight is equally distributed across the shoulders. A reinforced base helps it to stay in shape and soft wadding makes it comfortable against your body. Price £60

Fabrics and features, details and designs...don't shoot the messenger!

15/2/2016

Messenger Bags

This wide umbrella title covers all shapes and sizes as long as they have a flap with a magnetic closure...All have an adjustable shoulder strap and the bigger bags will have a reinforced base. Prices start at £40 and depend on the size and materials used.

Spectacular mega-spots messenger

Ladies' Apartments Messenger with added bling beading.

Saddle Bag Messenger

Animal print small Messenger/ Flight Bag

Angel Messenger with zipped pockets front and back.

Child size Messenger

Large laptop sized Messenger For sale on Etsy £45

Got to be a flight bag! Lovely Skinny laminx Cloudbirds

Deckchair Saddle Bag Messenger For sale on Etsy £45

Fabrics and features, details and designs...to trip the light fantastic

13/2/2016

For evenings out or special days...

Purses , Clutches and Diddy Bags

With or without additional hand-sewn beading designs, long or short handles, snap top or flap top closures. You name it-I'll make it! They are often lined with pure silk and are big enough for a zipped pocket and an open pocket for your phone. Prices start at £40, depending on type and materials used.

Mid-century modern clutch. Available on Etsy £45

Simple clutch with vintage button (sold for £40)

Hand sewn beading enhances the embroidered floral design. (Sold for £40)

Silk dupion lining, beaded zip pull and open pocket

Diddy bag with loop and button (sold for £20)

Lilac silk dupion lining with two open and zipped pockets.

Rainbow beaded snap top purse. (sold £50)

Hand beading on machine embroidered passion flower with antique style brass purse frame. (Sold for £50)

Small beaded clutch bag with matching coin purse. (Sold £30)

Pretty beaded Diddy bag. (Sold for £20)

Lovely pink satin lining and a large popper fastening.

Diamante beading and a grey dupion silk lining. Can you resist? For sale on Etsy £50

Fabrics and features, details and designs...boxing clever...

12/2/2016

Boxy

Boxy looks neat but is deceptively roomy, as it opens up at the sides to help you delve in to retrieve your stuff. It snaps shut with magnetic fasteners-one each side and one under the flap. The fabric handles can be made any length you fancy and are attached with metal hoops. The base is reinforced to help keep its shape. £45. With leather handles £55.

Stylish little bag in Sanderson 'Festival' print and corduroy

Italian woven fabric that will go with anything. Note the longer handles.

Showing charm added to hoop and a vintage button

A client chose this outrageous fabric to brighten up a plain outfit! Note the pink leather handles.

Plenty of room inside.

Gold & beige with a tiny pearl button.

A bespoke bag for a client who wanted a black version.

Fabrics and features, details and designs...Baggy & Zippy in the spotlight

10/2/2016

Baggy & Zippy

(Yes - All you 'Rainbow' fans - I know it should be Bungle and Zippy!) These two are essentially the same shape, but Baggy is extended to form a flap and Zippy fastens with (yes-you've guessed it) a zip and has a outer zipped pocket. A nice casual looking bag Zippy can be made narrower if you wish. The Baggy handle is fixed at the sides and is long enough to wear as a shoulder bag. The Zippy handle is adjustable by means of funky loops and buckle. Baggy £40, Zippy £45

Baggy with magnetic snap fastened flap.

Grey textured large Zippy

Small Zippy in tapestry fabric

Baggy in a navy owl fabric.

Showing interior pockets

Showing zipped top

Fabrics and features, details and designs...Beaujangle

7/2/2016

Beaujangle

This is a favourite design and being an angular version of Beau, I called it Beaujangle. It looks particularly stylish with matching real leather handles, but works equally well with fabric handles. All my bags have a soft wadding inside that makes them comfy to hold and interfacing to help keep them in shape. These also have a plastic reinforced base.
Prices range from £35 - £55, depending on the materials used.

Narrow top band with a double handle. Love this genuine 70's fabric. For sale on Etsy for £35.

My current favourite, with a dupion silk lining, no less! And those wonderful leather handles-scrumptious. Currently for sale on Etsy for £55.

Dupion silk lining.

Lovely spotty lining

The matching leather handles set off the linen fabric beautifully. Sold for £45.

This little beauty was bought as a 60th birthday present. Pink leather handles-how could anyone resist?

Contrasting corduroy top band and handles work well with this fifties style fabric. (Sold for £35)

This was a bespoke bag, made from aubergine velvet and a glorious crewel embroidered wool. Applique and beading was added for extra bling!

Fabrics and features, details and designs...

6/2/2016

What do you like in a bag? There's lots to consider!
In the next few posts, I'm going to show you several of my designs.
Let me know which you like best!

Beau

So called, because the first few I made incorporated a 'bow' on the top band! A rounded shape in an everyday handbag size, this has handles long enough to put on your shoulder but not too long to hold on your arm, with a simple button and loop fastening. All bags have a pretty complementary lining fabric with two open pockets and a zipped pocket. Note that the first two have a wider top band and a double handle and the others have a narrower band with a single handle attached at the sides.
Price from £35.

Double handled with velvet top and applique.

Single handle attached at the sides with a narrower top band in a single fabric, fastened with flower shaped button.

Double handled with contrast band and toggle fastening.

Single handle attached at the sides. vintage button fastening and applique to the narrow corduroy top band.

Complementary lining.

Two open pockets one side and a zipped pocket with beaded zip pull the other side.