My Handmade Home: July 2016

Sunday, July 03, 2016

Summer Sewing: Bicycle Handlebar Bag

Introducing... the bicycle handlebar bag!

Growing up, my mom sewed us all sorts of things. We had little pouches and bags for buttons, our dolls, and everything imaginable. I grew up knowing there was a pouch or pocket for all of life's emergencies.   When my kids were old enough to start riding trikes, they too got a pouch for their bikes to hold all of their treasures. Here's a link to the original tricycle handlebar bag and here's the updated tricycle handlebar bag with different strap connectors.

I love sewing for my boys but when I'm done working on their projects, I don't always have time to sew for myself. This bike bag is all for me and I've been wanting to do this for more than a year!   I was thrilled when Sew Mama Sew asked a bunch of us sewing bloggers to create a summer bag using Manchester Metallics by Robert Kaufman fabrics. I said "yes" right away and waited patiently for the fabric to come in.

I am so happy with the way it turned out!   The applique has such a nice sheen to it.

Here's a view of the sides. The outer is Essex linen in "natural" and you can see the Manchester Metallics Onyx peaking out beside the zipper.

Here's a view of the bottom. I usually quilt in a diamond pattern but I like quilted stripes as it feels more like summer.

Here's the back view. I used D rings to connect the bag to the bike but there are plenty of combinations that could be used (backpack connectors, velcro, etc).

Here's a view of the top. Next time, I will orient the zipper the other way. I am right handed and I would prefer to unzip from left to right.

Here's the lining. It's so soft... It's called Chambray Union "indigo". Next time, I will include a secret hidden pocket to store loose change and some small bills. You never know when you will need to make an emergency ice cream stop!

It's a tiny bag but you can put a lot in it! I plan on keeping this on my bike permanently so I have somewhere to keep my phone and other emergency items like bandaids and tissues.

However, for those times when I need to leave my bike unattended, this bike bag also fits my emergency zipper pouch. I can just pull it out and away I go.

Looks so nice on my bike. It's the perfect fit and won't add too much weight to my bike.

This has by far been one of my favourite projects ever :o). Nothing says summer like riding a bike and feeling the wind in your hair... well, the strands that aren't covered up by my helmet!!!