lunch bags & more

I found this cute little craft book in Japan and bought it with the intention of making a more permanent reusable lunch bag for work. I've been using old smaller shopping bags with handles, but they wear out too quickly and it's not very often that I shop at a store that gives away boutique bags.

The book has 6 different styles of lunch bags and gives four or five variations on each bag. I haven't made a lunch bag to use yet, but last week I did make a large tote bag for carrying around my laptop, books, and other things. It worked great for our weekend trip last week, too.

I was excited to find directions for my oft-wished for LL Bean bucket tote on a budget. I don't know why, but I've always wanted one of these tote bags. I really like the simple, classic styling. The only thing I'd change next time around would be to make the linen bottom smaller (which I would have known if I had converted the cm measurements to inches and enlarged the proportions of the bag evenly).

Comments

[Jennifer in KS]

This book looks great, especially the bag with the drawstring closure. Does that book have an ISBN? Would you mind sharing it with me if it does?

[madelinetosh]

thanks for posting the pics. love the simple forms of the bags.

[Ravenhill]

I just found you via Crafting Japanese. I have this new passion for Japanese craft books and magazines. Thanks for sharing!
~Emily

[jennifer]

I would also love to have the ISBN # of that book..i am a big fan of LL Bean totes and would love to see the pattern. Do you have to read the language to understand the patterns/directions?