I'd like to make a 14 X 14 bag with approximately 14 strips.  However, I want them to be asymmetric rather than straight (uneven top and bottom).  Can someone please tell me how I go about cutting and matching them, so that I end up with the overall desired dimensions?   Thanks.

This is a bag I've wanted to make for a long time.  But, a lot of laziness and a bit of anxiety prevailed.  Well, I finally got my act together and just did it.  It's the first patchwork bag I've ever made.  There were a few missteps that resulted from rash action on my part - assuming that I knew what to do next without checking.  This is an excellent tutorial with lots of pictures.  I found it on the site  "Sentimental Stitches" and it's called "So Sew Easy Schlep Bag".  The icing on the cake for me is that in honour of the occasion, I used a much-loved remnant from Wayne Clarke (patterned bit) that I'd been hoarding.

The outside :



Washed out picture of inside pockets.  Should be black :



Bottom of bag which is a 10.5 in square



This is a big bag - 21 in wide, 15.5 in long, 10.5 in square bottom.  Just for the heck of it I'd like to make a smaller version sometime.

I interfaced only the top edge, narrowed the handles by 1/2 an inch and lengthened them by 1 - 2 ins.

Thanks for looking.

Well, yes, I did use a pattern but it cost only $2-3.  The quilting fabrics were also discounted 75%.  The buttons were bought on sale (they're 1st cousins not siblings). I just used what I already had at hand.  Cheapo!  The only "gold" associated with it is in the dots on the outside.  Here it is, then.

The full monty.  These are the true colours of the bag.  I changed the straps, as I didn't have D rings etc. NO spending allowed for this project.



I added buttons instead for a bit of a pop.



The pattern is pleated at the front and back.  Oh no, the colours are fading on us here.   Low batteries.



And the obligatory inside pockets with re-used magnetic snap.  Colour is a bit washed out, it should be deeper.



That's my early spring Bagote (bit big for a bag - bit small for a tote). With the hints of green and brown, I'm getting ready for the show.

This is my first post and these are my first attempts at small crossbody bags, which I love.  I share them with some trepidation as I've monitored the site since last year and know what great work is shown here.  I chose upholstery fabrics for their durability and beautiful patterns.  These three fabrics made me think of paintings - that's why I framed the small piece on the brown bag.  I hope I‘ve presented them effectively.   I’ll be trying the dropped top zipper recently shown by Gatchley in her excellent tutorial.



The multicolred bag has a top zipper and straps sewn between the body and lining.







The brown bag has a front zipper opening with the strap attached at the top.





The grey has a magnetic snap.  Not my favorite for such a small bag, for security reasons.





This has really been a learning curve for me, as I created them on the fly and tried to deal with the frustrating problems as they arose.  Also learning to post on the forum.

Thanks for looking.  Comments/suggestions would be appreciated.