I was thinking of making my Secret Santa recipient a handmade bag or purse or pocketbook or tote or shopping bag, do you think its appropriate and what sort of bags do you like?

If you add a brass ring on the inside, you can attach another small purse "with embroidery on it", to the brass ring with a long piece of ribbon or cord. this can be used as a coin purse.

I also love bags of any sort. I'm sure your Secret Santa will appreciate anything that you have made. Hugs Yvonne

Anything SS brings is always a welcomed gift.Even pot holders . remember it's from SS.

I love bags, BUT since somebody pinched my purse out of my bag about two years ago, my hubby is carrying the purse now. Love Marie

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by eggyannie 19 Nov 2011

I have a pattern called pockets a plenty its a thiefs nightmare, inside the bag are 8 pockets all around the side of it, my credit card wallet goes into one and my change purse in another, note book and pen slot nicely in another and my phone goes on the other side along with a tiny camera the size of a match box.
outside pockets hold spare carrier bags and the doggy bags. I also have a neat wristlet design that is great for walking the dogs just holds enough change for a cuppa and some extra doggy bags and leaves my hands free. annie in the uk

I am not a handbag person -I like a bag big enough to put stuff in!

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

I like backpack style bags they are great as your hands are free, but you do put a lot in them, you sort of dont notice until you almost tip over backwards when you walk with it,lol, Ruth

My favorite are the ones with a zipper to close the top. I use them when I carry my husband to the doctor. They are great to cross the handles and hang on the back of his wheelchair while I am pushing it. That way they don't get scrubbed by the wheels. The zipper closure helps keep things secure too. A lucky person to be your SS. A great idea.

Marcelle

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

Marcelle, try a back pack too, you can get some lovely leather ones, not to big that would be great when you are pushing the wheel chair, it keeps your hands free and your valubles where you know they are. Ruth

What a wonderful idea, I am jealous that I don't have time to make anything right now so I didn't get in on the SS list but I would love for you to be mine! During the year I should make something and set it aside for next year!

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

Its my first year in the SS list, and I am quiet excited, I have just got my sewing room back after several months of not being able to do anything at all, and it will be my first project, then I will tackle all the other projects I have planned, that should take me up to christmas 2012! Ruth

Hope you are my SS I love totes!

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

So do I, I bought the Geisha Bag design from BFC designs, I have done the front but not put it together yet, it is one of my UFO's if you are interested this is the tote http://www.bfc-creations.com/Desi...

by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

http://www.bfc-creations.com/Desi...

Ruth, I hope you are not the only one making one or you just gave away your identity. Hehehe!

I like small bags for my personal things - because the bigger they are - that heavier they are. But when I go to a class - I do carry my small bag in a larger one - with the rest of my items.

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

Your right about the weight Shirlener, its interestin how many business people now are using bags and cases on wheels instead of briefcases and laptop bags, maybe we should look at something like that, Ruth

i love totes and the more pockets the better. I allways add a small loop to the inside top of a tote so i can hook my keys onto it and not end up searching for the mat the bottom of the bag.
i sugest that you keep the coloures themed to something that can be used all year and not clash to much with the clothes worn.
blends of browns and creams or blues work well. add a bit of bling with cords or ribbons if you like sew them on with a fancy stitch or use a large eyed needle to weave a ribbon through the fabric. plastic tubing can be used for handlesyou can thread beads onto a string and put them inside the plastic tube. you can attach the handles by sewing a pad of fabric over the curled up string. fastenings can be made by braiding ribbons. make a button or two useing polimer clay.
have fun and i am sure your gift will be cherished.
annie in the uk

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

Annie if you also love totes, have a look at the range that BFC Designs do, there are some incredible designs amongst their stuff, even if you dont want to buy the designs, the ideas are great, Ruth

by eggyannie 19 Nov 2011

will do just that, i like to make sets with credit card holders and note books all to match
annie in the uk

I love homemade bags. I haven't made any big ones yet I think cuties would enjoy any size have fun

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by grafiau 19 Nov 2011

Thanks Dee, I love bags of all shapes and sizes to make, and there are certainly some great patterns about, Ruth

The purple hat is having a great 50 percent off sale

Zoe there are pictures of totes and bags and purses etc at this link

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by zoefzoef 18 Nov 2011

thanks for the link. Now I have an idea !

I don't know what a tote means, and if I translate it to Dutch I get a strange word. It is possible to get a picture of it ?

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by bumblebee 18 Nov 2011

Hum a tote is like a larger bag so you can put more stuff in it.

by pcteddyb 18 Nov 2011

A tote is a type of bag that you carry things in - some people call them "shopping bags".

by zoefzoef 18 Nov 2011

okay thanks ! I checked the side. So now I can say I'm more a person that has purses or normal size handbags.

A person can't have too many totes! and this one is certainly going to have special meaning. Mom always said, "Give a gift you would like to receive." and her excellant advice has followed me all these years since her passing.

Tote and purses are always welcomed by anyone(unless they just like Designer bags)But totes are very useful, especially with pockets(cell phones)I like to add a key fob so the keys don't fall inside the tote..

I think it would be very appropriate.

This is just a idea but a shopping bag with sewing designe on it would be just lovely for some one that does a lot of sewing .that way it can be used all year.
Lenamae

Every year at my full time job, the secret santa gets a tote, customized for them, and a shirt or hoodie inside - also embroidered. Funny how the same person ends up as my or my husbands secret santa recipient ( we work at the same company)
check out our gallery for some ideas.

What a great idea! A simple tote/shopping bag would be wonderful. Just one question: If the other person does not know that you are making a gift for her and receives your gift unexpectedly, how would she feel since she hasn't made anything for you?

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by theduchess 18 Nov 2011

Anything from SS is appreciated does not have to be reciprocated with same.

I love bags. The idea is to make something yourself and the choice is yours.