Saturday 30 April 2016

Very Hungry Caterpillar Bag

Most of my sewing time for the past week or so has been taken up with my Big Vintage Sewalong dress. I've sewn two muslins, (which is two more than I'd normally sew…) and tried to get my head round some complicated new techniques, so I was well in need of a break from it. And what better way to refresh my poor, addled brain than to sew a Very Hungry Caterpillar bag for my nephew?!


I saw the caterpillar fabric a few weeks ago via Roisin's Instagram when she made a dress for her friend's daughter - she's since made one for herself too, here. My nephew Herrick recently dressed up as the Very Hungry Caterpillar for World Book Day at nursery (yes, he looked unbelievably cute!), so I instantly knew what I'd be making him for his first birthday! There were quite a few different fabrics to choose from: big caterpillars, small caterpillars, butterflies, fruits and even the entire list of foods he stuffs his face with. In the end I decided to go for a mash up of caterpillars, butterflies and fruits for the outside of the bag and patchwork dots for the lining.


If you've read the book, you'll recognise the dots from the beginning and end of the book - my son Charlie was always fascinated by them!


To make the bag I used my own Kid's Washbag tutorial, replacing the waterproof fabric with caterpillar fabric and simply sized the measurements up. I think the starting pieces were 18" wide x 20' long, which is the size of the drawstring bags I used to make for craft fairs. I added interfacing to the back of the main outer fabric as it has a white background and I didn't want the bright lining fabric to show through. It didn't take long to make at all and was a pleasure to sew. I hope Herrick likes it, it will look nice and bright on his peg at nursery or wherever it ends up anyway.

Soon-to-be birthday boy
It's amazing how much a simple sewing project can re-invigorate you - I'm now more than ready to take on any number of vintage patterns. Bring on those underarm gussets! Have a good weekend. x





16 comments:

  1. This is so sweet. Love the fabric x

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  2. Cute bag. I just bought fabric to make ballet slipper bags for my granddaughters. I'll check out your tutorial.

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    1. Ah bags for ballet slippers is such a lovely idea! x

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  3. My girls and I saw some HC fabric today in Hobbycraft, they pointed it out to me especially. Jo x

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    1. I think lots of children would live this fabric! x

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  4. Great fabric for that darling little boy. He is a winner in those bluebells. One of the cutest things I have seen in a long while. I know he will enjoy his bag.

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    1. I hope he does, he's a little darling! x

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  5. Lovely, cheerful fabric Jane. I must add this pattern to my expanding gift list, thanks for the reminder it's there.

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    1. My pleasure, it's a quick, easy sew! x

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  6. Perfect fabric for a little one.

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  7. What lovely fabric! Great little bag it's wonderful

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  8. Beautiful!
    My daughter liked the beads from polymer clay that makes her dad :)
    Since she was only two years I have done for her clip on earrings. She loved it!
    On photo are materials from which they are made and the final result :)
    Photo: http://lixori.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Gift-for-daughter.jpg

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  9. This is so cute! and your timing couldn't be more perfect, for me! A friend just gave me a big bag of fabric and there is some Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric in it. I wanted to make a present for her wee boy with it but couldn't think what to make - now I know!

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