The Kyiv Bag
I designed this little bag when we lived in Ukraine that is why I named it after the city where the idea came to me one afternoon while working in my sewing room!
My sewing room in Kyiv was on the third floor or the attic of our house. I shared this big attic space with my twin boys, who were very little, so it was perfect because while they played I also played with my fabrics, textures, ideas, etc. I have great memories of those days, the 3 of us being up there in the attic, sometimes through the windows we will see snow falling, a lot of it! Other times, we will see the rain falling or if we looked down from the window we could see our beautiful cherry tree in bloom (Spring) or with red delicious cherries (Summer). I am always grateful for each sewing room I have had in the different houses we have lived around the world!
This little bag is ideally for sunglasses or glasses, that is how the idea started. But it is also perfect for small items like lipsticks, pen, pencils, markers. It is an easy sewing project for a beginner sewist or an experienced sewist.
A fun little bag!
Even though I designed, made and sold some of these bags back in 2017, just at the beginning of this year (2022) I started working on a sewing tutorial and pdf pattern. It was mid January and by the beginning of February war broke out in Ukraine, it was so sad for me and my family to see the news and hear from our friends that we still had there, how things were looking very bad.
So I decided to donate all the profits from this sewing tutorial to our former housekeeper in Kyiv, to help her out a bit while she is not able to work. Her name is Ira, and she worked for us for 2 years while we lived in Ukraine. She is a wonderful lady, always happy to help us. She did not speak English and I did not speak Ukrainian or Russian but we managed to talk and get to know each other! I have a fond memory of her giving me a hug when I most needed it.
I was able to put together a small donation and send it to Ira, for which she was so grateful and so happy. I thank from the bottom of my heart to my friends and people that do not even know me or Ira, for joining in efforts to help her out.
It really makes me happy to be able to help others through my work. So THANKS / GRACIAS!
Three ways to finish this bag, one pattern three bags!!
All fabric,
All leather and no lining.
All fabric and with a bias tape edge.
Back to this cute bag! Would you like to make one? I have a pattern for sale in my etsy shop. It includes a tutorial with all the instructions, photos and patterns. There are 3 ways to make this same bag with one pattern, all explained in the tutorial. You get to pick which style you want to make! One tutorial and make 3 different styles of bags!
If you are new to sewing this will be an easy project to start with. Or if you are an experienced sewist then you will make this bag in no time!
Materials needed:
A nice fabric for the outer part. I call it fashion fabric.
Fabric for the lining.
Interfacings, fusible fleece or just double the interfacing.
Leather or vinyl strip. Or ribbon would work too.
Bias tape (optional)
Snap optional (instead of the strap you can do the closure with a snap, see picture below)
This Kyiv bag with the cute travel the world print was made for my son. He picked the materials and requested a snap instead of a strap. He said he is not that good yet with tying laces!
Sewing is so rewarding and there are so many ways of using small pieces of fabrics. This project is one of them, a fat quarter would work perfect!
If you have any questions about this bag, please feel free to contact me! I am always happy to meet new people.
All profits from the sales of this tutorial will go to help Ira. Every little help adds up! Thanks so much!