If you are in direct sales, you may have already heard of this really cool company that makes bags with clear pockets on the outside so you can advertise your business wherever you go. The bags are totally cute, and I can attest to the fact that they WORK. People see your products and do ask about them! It's awesome! What isn't so awesome, especially if you are on a very tight marketing budget like myself, is the $70 price tag. Worth every penny...but you have to have the pennies! So I decided to make my own! You can call it a knock of Luci bag, a window bag, or whatever you like. :D
First up, the supplies list:
- You will need a bag. I had this cute "Shop Small" bag from my sister :D I recommend a simple canvas tote, or a similar bag with no liner or pockets.
- You will need two zippers the width of your pockets, or however you decide to make your pockets.
- You will need some clear vinyl. I got 80 weight. You'll find it in rolls by the upholstery at your local fabric store. The roll is long, so you will probably have extra for other fun projects. I got 1/3 yard and probably could have gone with 8" or less if I had done my math first, lol.
- You will need some cute sturdy ribbon or bias tape, enough to go around all of your pockets.
- And matching thread
I'm not sure if you know this, but I love sewing. However, I'm often a "sew by the seat of my pants" kinda girl. I will use patterns, but I also love just throwing things together, not worrying too much about the details. So "these be more like guidelines." (My family will tell you that's kinda how I cook, too....)
First step - figure out your pocket pattern. I decided to go with a pocket on one side for my catalog, without a zipper. I added about a half inch on all sides so I can fit more than one catalog or I can slide my receipt book in behind it.
For the other side, I made two long pockets with zippers, each divided into three sections.
Cut your vinyl the size you want your pockets, no seam allowances needed.
Next, your zippers will have long tails on them. Go ahead and tack them back so the zipper is about 1/4' longer on each end then your vinyl. Sew one side of the zipper to your vinyl.
Take your ribbon or bias tape and sew it to the outside edge of your pocket, leaving a tail to fold over the ends of your zipper. When you sew, you want to have the vinyl over half of the ribbon or bias tape, so that when you sew the pocket to the bag, you are only sewing through the ribbon. If you are not putting a zipper on the pocket, sew ribbon along the top edge, too.
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| Corners are tricky. I think I got this one right. |
Pin your pocket to your bag, starting with the bottom pocket. We won't be turning the pocket, so pin it right side of bag to wrong side of pocket. Take those long ribbon ends and fold them over the zipper to hide the end. Then trace around the outer edge - we will be doing a lot of maneuvering and scrunching, so this will help you keep everything lined up, hopefully! Don't pin on your next pocket until the last is sewn, or you will get pricked by the pins and have more stuff in the way than needed.
Now for the fun part! Sew around the pocket, going slowly to keep everything lined up. The hardest part will be the bottom corners. Just take it one stitch at a time, and it will work! When you sew across the top, be sure to sew the OTHER side (edge) of the zipper, NOT the side your vinyl is sewn to! You will find it helpful when sewing near the zipper pull to unzip the zipper to get that out of the way.
Repeat with remaining pockets.
If you want your pockets divided, sew lines from the zipper to the bottom.
Pull your threads to the back and tie off.
Fill your pockets with products and a fun "ask me" card :D Or anything else you want to show off!
You could also add elastic loops to hold your product before sewing the pocket onto the bag.
My total cost in materials for this project was less than $9, thanks to JoAnn coupons, and because I already had the bag. And it has already paid for itself :D Actually, I could have bought the real thing off the sales it's generated just today, but I think I'll stick to this one for awhile :D.
My total cost in materials for this project was less than $9, thanks to JoAnn coupons, and because I already had the bag. And it has already paid for itself :D Actually, I could have bought the real thing off the sales it's generated just today, but I think I'll stick to this one for awhile :D.
I'd love to see your finished and filled bags! Head over to my Facebook page and leave a comment!
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