help me design my Whimsical Wears bag, please

[stillplayswithbarbies]

okay, I am clueless, I am fashion challenged, and I need help. I am planning to get a backpack and a tote, because I can't choose just one fabric, and I have no clue what to match with them.

Please tell me if these go together for a backpack, and whether these fabrics are tough enough for a backpack:

I want one of these as the main fabric:
http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS45.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS86.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS85.JPG

with one of these as the piping band:
http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS500.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS53.JPG

And one of these on the bottom:
http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS84.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS48.JPG

Does that seem too busy? Now that I see them together I am not sure they go together. Or what about one of these on the bottom (they come in other colors too)?

http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS30.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS90.JPG

And for the inside I think I like one of these, but which one, or do I need a solid?
http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS68.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS70.JPG http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS72.JPG

All of these are the Temple Flowers line from Free Spirit which I found at http://www.thecottonshop.net . Are there better coordinates in there to one of the birds? I really like the birds, but I like the flowers too. Do I need a solid for the bottom?

Now for a tote, I like this:

http://www.thefabricfinder.com/photogallery/photo11944/BloomcraftAmericanBeauty%20Spring.JPG

with this on the bottom:
http://www.thefabricfinder.com/photogallery/photo11944/BloomcraftEzStreetPink.JPG

Or do you think this needs a solid on the bottom and if so which one? And what should I use for a separator? Are the roses too busy for a diaper bag?

And I need something for the inside too, what should I use for that? I know I want a light color, should it be a solid, or should I use the same pink stripe?

Do you think the roses would be better for a backpack and the birds better for a tote?

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[pritchettzoo]

I don't know about the toughness, but those fabrics are lovely! I think the birds pattern with the paisley-ish pattern might be a little on the busy side together. I like the paisley with the stripes and the birds with the stripes, but that's just me... Maybe a solid as a piping?

Top: http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS85.JPG
Bottom: http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS53.JPG
And a solid dark plum (the darkest stripe/feather color) as piping? Or the aqua/blue color--or that could be the inside so you could find stuff easily...

Or...
Top: http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS84.JPG
Bottom: http://www.thecottonshop.net/fabricshop/thumbs/tn_FS500.JPG
With one of the darker pinks as piping?

I love those fabrics too! There's just tooooooo much from which to choose! :)

And I like the roses and stripes, but if they aren't from the same collection (are they?) the pinks might be totally off...

Your bags are going to be purty! ;)

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Thanks Anna, I think you are right about it being too busy. I wonder if I could put the paisley on the inside? Birds on top, stripes on bottom, paisley on inside. Is that a totally stupid idea?

Kim? What is your professional opinion? (on the whole thing, not just on whether that is a stupid idea LOL)

The roses and stripes are both from http://www.thefabricfinder.com/Manf%20Bloomcraft.htm

And while I was looking for the roses link, I found this:
http://www.thefabricfinder.com/RichloomFragonard%20Daffodil2.JPG

oh man I might have to get three bags . . . what coordinates with that one?

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[Dscvrlifewith3]

Hi Karen,

Well, personally I wouldn't put paisley on the inside of a bag that has a busy or active looking print on the outside with stripes. I would go with putting the stripes on the inside, either an Otrim or piping in a solid.
I have found that when you mix too much up, like say the birds, the stripes and then the paisley you may grow old or sick of it.
However this about your taste and what you want! :)

[stillplayswithbarbies]

but Kim, I have no taste LOL
that is why I am asking for help. :)

What is Otrim?

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[papal]

!@#@!#! Just typed up a whole post with links and everything and lost it... ok, here i go again:
I agree with Anna.. both birds and paisley on one bag _may_be too busy. However it may even work.. look at this website.. they have combined all 3 and it looks great!
http://www.artofthemidwest.com/amybutler/fabrics_temple_cap3.phtml

I am not being helpful am i????

[stillplayswithbarbies]

oh wow! I think this is going to be the kind of thing that either works or not but we won't know unless we try it. :)

That's pretty, the bag on that page. It actually has 4 of the fabrics in it.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[pritchettzoo]

I think it's a typo and should be just plain old trim. But maybe it's a super secret seamstress word! :P

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[pritchettzoo]

Okay, I've already ordered a bag and now I want the mint green dancing tulips! That would make a gorgeous comforter--no, pillows and valances for DD's big-girl room! Which of course is a few years from now. Bad Rashmi. You're going to get us all in fabric trouble.

Anna
Mama to Gracie (9/16/03)

[khakismom]

Anna, was that your WW you ordered? What fabrics did you end up getting? I am just dying of curiosity to see what everyone ordered! :) TIA!

[Melanie]

Your choices are pretty...I wouldn't be able to decide either!

[momathome]

I REALLY need to stop looking at everyone's fabric choices because it is making me want to order another bag! I was part of the group that got to pre-order and the fabrics I got were the aqua fashion girls with a matching bubbles multi-dot (i've never posted a link or I would show you myself!). I am going to try and post the link:
www.ladybuttonfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?category=34
Click on retro and vintage and it is the first 2 fabrics shown.
I got the backpack - Kim said it will hopefully be shipping out this weekend. I'll post pics as soon as I get it!
-Lauren

[AdoptChina]

Ugh...I havent even begun to pick out fabrics yet.......its been so busy here! I really like the bird fabric with either a sloid band and striped bottom, or a stripe band and solid bottom. Id leave out the paisley so it isnt too busy (IMO).

[papal]

I WISH THERE WAS A ZIPPER ON THE WW BAGS, I WOULD HAVE ORDERED ONE... SO MANY PRETTY FABRICS!!!
Anna... CALM DOWN.. YOUR DD IS JUST 6 MONTHS OLD!!!!!!!

(I _AM_ SHOUTING...EXTREMELY HYPER....TOO MUCH SUGAR IN MY COFFEE THIS AM).

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Rashmi, I wish there was a zipper too. That is one reason I am ordering a backpack, since it closes more securely (I assume).

I know I will lose things out of a tote bag. If they don't fall out while it is in the car or sideways under my stroller basket, Logan will be taking things out of it when I am not watching and dropping them all over the mall.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[papal]

Karen, that is why i LOVE my Ella... it has a zipper.. and it is inset so you don't really lose space. BUT, and its a big BUT.. there is no co-op on the horizon and it would cost more than the WW for all the features it offers. Sadly.. i am not a backpack type of person.. though it might be fun to get one as a gift..are the backpacks $15 more than the totes?

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I'm not sure what the prices are. I hope it's not too much more. I usually carry backpacks on one shoulder like a tote anyway, I am really just getting it because of the secure closure, not because it is a backpack.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03