Carpet Bags

I made this pair of carpet bags for my cousin and her beau for Christmas. They were inspired many months ago (probably years if I think too hard) and were a lot of fun to make.

I had in mind that they might occasionally get a weekend away and these would be fun bags to check into a B&B with. They are focused around tapestry scenes, 3"x5", that I found and thought they would like. I rounded up several pairs of jeans from thrift stores around the state in coordinating colors and belts for the handles. Originally I intended to put something stiff in the bottom, but couldn't find anything to fit the bill when the time came.

I also could not decide on a closure, so I left that up to them to add as they are crafty people and were delighted with this. They are lined with a different batik, one has seashells and one reminds me of the ocean. Both have an inside pocket and the front of the top of a pair of jeans on one side and the back on the other. Then I just added pieces as I saw fit until they were a size I thought appropriate.