Music Bag Chaos Tamed

Cool Runnings to All!  My music bag was totally out of control.  Both my husband and I use this bag and we have different styles to organizing it.  The result is a creepy little chaotic mash up.  So I decided to make a bag organizer similar to my purse organizer.  I had to invent as I went, but for my first attempt it will work.  I decided to take an old pair of jeans, cut off the legs (save the top part for a jean purse) and use that for my foundation.  I cut the seams open, and then joined them together lengthwise.  Then I found some yardage of purple fabric in my closet.  I tried to follow the same principle as the purse organizer, and it almost worked like I envisioned.  I sewed jean pockets onto the back before stitching the whole thing together

First, look at my before picture:

Now the after:

I have room in the middle for the other items, but wanted you to see the main organization.  Note:  the microphone was recently given to me, so I plan to sew a better mic holder for it.  It makes me happy to look in this bag now instead of panicking.

More photos:

 

What I learned from this project: 

1.  Make the foundation bigger in height. 

2.  Use a firmer fabric for the inner pockets.  I used batting to help strengthen in, but it stills seems a bit flimsy.

3.  Use a good sewing machine.  I actually ordered a new sewing machine because each project I do takes three times as long as it should because of stitching problems.

4.  Sewing jean legs together would probably work better on straight legged jeans rather than bell bottoms.  

5.  Instead of just wondering and trying to wait for the right time and right fabrics, jump in and do something.  What you learn about patterning, experimentation and instinct are really, really helpful

 Although the final product isn't as fashionable or pretty as it could be, my object was to get things quickly organized.  Soon I'll be posting pictures of pretty things again.  :)  And next time, I'll take pictures of the steps, in case you create something similar.