Pop Art “Bucket” Bag

As mentioned in my previous post, I am making a wearable pop art item out of recycled eco-friendly fabric swatches. 

At the beginning of this project, I experimented with the idea of making a headband, which led to me being drawn to the design of a bucket hat. After which, I began to gather the last of the materials I needed, including lining fabric for structure and other sewing materials (string, needle, etc.) The overall scope of my project seemed exciting, but I have definitely been challenging myself by selecting a difficult object to sew. 

After coming to this realization of my sewing skills not matching the complexity of my project, I decided to switch the product to keep the same essence, be a product that would help me and I’d use often, and be overall simpler to construct – This being a drawstring “bucket” bag. 

This new design will maintain the Pop Art aesthetic and original ideas of patchwork, bold colors and interesting textures. In addition, it is an item I have been needing as I do not possess a small bag for carrying essential items I may need when out. Lastly, the general skill level it takes to make this particular item matches my level of knowledge more closely than the previous. 

Moving into the general design and plan for manufacturing, I have sketched out a general overview of what I want the final product to resemble (As seen above).

It includes the “bucket” shaped pouch, drawstring mechanism for closing/opening, and the strap of the bag for which I am experimenting with the removable capabilities – possibly a clasp. To express the Pop Art aesthetic, the exterior of the bag will consist of patchwork fabrics of varying colors, textures and materials from the recycled booklet – this is the main upcycled portion. The interior of the bag will be lined with a thicker scrap gray fabric that matches the black dotted texture of the Pop Art style. In addition, this will add more rigidity and structure to the object, creating higher craft and durability. 

The construction of the bag consists of the circular base, inner lining of the bag, outer “shell”, strap, and drawstring, which I have labeled and dimensioned in the sketches above. I have spent a lot of time researching techniques to collage fabrics, sew them together, and create a well crafted bag, and have found a base example with instructions on bringing all of the materials together successfully. 

To separate my design from the inspiration I have been referencing, I have curated the dimensions carefully in consideration of the specifics I need to carry, making it a very personal item to match my needs and comfort. 

At the moment, I have designed, blocked out and dimensioned all of the materials that I need. I have been organizing the fabric swatches into a cohesive collage to represent the outer shell of the bucket bag and preparing for the final fabric cutting, and sewing the final assembly.

Beyond my progress, in the next week, I plan to finish collaging and pinning all of my fabric together in hopes that I will just need to wrap up the final assembly.