Kitty’s Bucket Shaped Organizer Bag

17.5cm (h) 11.5cm (bottom diameter)

Today’s project is a bucket shaped organizer bag using a lovely fabric with Kitty’s face peeking from a bed of big flowers. To your surprise, when you insert a roll of toilet paper, Kitty greets you through the hole. Kanae Nakayama, aka the popular blogger Kanakana, has come up with this playful idea.

Design & work：Kanae Nakayama

Fabric shown for this sample:
（Main panel outer fabric – top, Bottom lining fabric）Pink G50171-1 (B), Yellow G50171-1 (C)

Materials (For one bag, A-Pink, B-Yellow) ：
□ Fabric (Main panel outer fabric – top, Bottom lining fabric ) : 50cm×35cm
（Main panel outer fabric – bottom, Bottom outer fabric A – Green and white stripe B – Chartreuse and white polka dot): 40cm×20cm
（Main panel lining fabric A – Pink and white gingham check quilting B – Yellow and white stripe）:
40cm×20cm
□ Fusible quilt batting: Ａ20cm×20cm Ｂ40cm×40cm
□ Leather strap: 1cm×25cm
□ Double sided rivet: Two pairs (0.7cm diameter)

We interviewed Kanae about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It is such a lovely fabric with Kitty sitting on a bed of big flowers. When you look at it very closely, you can find hidden Kitty inside the flower. Different from what I call “fancy design” which is filled with Kitty, I thought this fabric would be great for making something unique.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
A roll of toilet paper perfectly fits inside (though the bag is taller.) I cut the fabric in such a way that the face of Kitty is peeking through the hole when you place the roll inside. When you iron the bag, place a roll of paper inside for easy ironing and clean finish.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
A round bottom may be a little challenging for sewing beginners. By cutting the fabric precisely, pinning the fabrics using the marks and cutting a slit, it can be sewn easily. After machine-sewing it all around once, I turn it inside out to check if there are any bumps. I sew it once again making sure that the finish will look nice and smooth.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
Besides using it to store a roll of toilet paper, you can use it as a kitchen organizer for plastic shopping bags or tea bags.

KF: Thank you very much, Kanae! Here are sewing instructions along with step-by-step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

How to make Kitty’s Bucket Shaped Organizer Bag

1.

Cut all the fabric with 1cm seam allowance except for fusible quilt batting.

2.

The bottom inner fabric should have the Kitty design in the center. When sewing together with the main panels, make sure that Kitty is facing the right direction.

3.

Holding the thread on the quilted fabric, stay stitch at 5mm from the edge. (With 1cm seam allowance, this stitch will be hidden.)

4.

Make sure to match the corners of the fabrics when piecing together.

5.

With front sides facing each other and using eight marking points, pin together the main panels and bottom fabric, paying extra attention to the direction of stripes. Cut a 5mm slit in a few places between the pins.