Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while would know that I make Clare’s teacher a bag at the end of the year to say thank-you.  This year Clare’s teacher was a man, and I was very unsure about how well a bag would be received.  Then I remembered that my teenaged nephew loves the bag I made for him (three years later it’s carted around university texts, bike gear, six-packs, and has been declared “better than crumpler“) so I went ahead and made a bloke bag for Clare’s teacher after all.

The fabric is from Ikea, and the pattern is the Large Slouch by Nicole Mallalieu Design.  I used black webbing and black plastic fittings to “man it up” a little.  The strap is adjustable and has a side release buckle.  It has a chunky zip to close it, and inside there is a zippered pocket all along one side and a divided pocket on the other.

I fused a layer of light interfacing and light wadding to the outside of the bag, but left the lining and pocket fabrics as is. They are all home decor/furnishing weight fabrics so were perfect for a bag. The strap is long enough to wear across the body or over one shoulder. I even persuaded Mr Thornberry to model it for me!

Clare’s teacher was delighted, and reckons that his wife will be jealous.  Sadly for us he is leaving the school, so I was pleased to make him something personal that he can remember us all by.  And now that’s another year of school over – grade 3 next year, and another male teacher to make a bloke bag for!