Hello 
In my first post about the bag, @wewarriors-28/the-efia-kente-collection-a I revealed that the inspiration for the bag's shape came from plates in my kitchen.
So I rocked my bag to church and got an order to recreate a smaller one for someone in church, so thankfully, I still had some materials remaining after making mine.
However, my challenge was finding the right material, so I thought of a blue flower-patterned denim trousers I had in my wardrobe. I love the fabric, but I didn't like how the trousers were sewn. In the six years I've kept those trousers, I have only worn them twice. It was time to put it to use, so I got it and let me walk you through how I used it.
List of Materials
Half sheet of Maco board
Full sheet of Carry board
Magnets
Glue
Flower-Patterned Jeans trousers
Brown Ankara material
Let’s go
Step One: Drawing the Base
I used a big kitchen plate this time (10 inches wide) to draw a large circle on my carry board. Then, I used a cup with a 3-inch base to draw a smaller circle inside, about an inch inward from the top middle, which will later form the bag handle.
At the base, I measured an inch inward and drew a line to create a flat sitting base for the bag. After cutting everything out neatly, I had my first round shape ready.
Step Two: Making a Pair
Since the bag is round, I needed two identical pieces of material. Using the first cutout as a guide, I traced and cut the second one.
Then, I used each carry board cutout to make a matching Maco board layer, which will serve as the outer structure of the bag.
Step Three: Cutting the Gusset (Side and Base)
I measured around the circular shape to determine the length of my gusset, which came to 20 inches this time, because we are making a smaller one. An inch difference from the first creation.
For the width (how deep the bag will be), I chose 4 inches, making the gusset measurement 20" x 4". I cut this out on the carry board as well.
Step Four: Covering with Fabric
For the interior, this time I ran out of black lining material, so I used an Ankara brown with yellow-patterned fabric to cover the carry board cutouts.
For the exterior, this is where the game-changer lies. Instead of Kente, like the first creation, I covered the Maco cutouts with blue, flower-patterned fabric from my jeans.
For the gusset, I lined the inner surface with the same lining material as the brown material and covered the outer side with the same blue flower-patterned fabric from my jeans
Tip: You can use any fabric of your choice, make sure it’s glue-friendly. Apply glue evenly and smooth the fabric down carefully.
Step Five: Assembling the Frame
Now for the fun part
Mark the start and end points of the gusset on both circular pieces of the carry board. Apply glue to the edges and gently attach the gusset around the curve, connecting both sides to form the frame of the bag.
Step Six: Adding the Magnet
Measure about half an inch inward from the top (near the handle) and mark the centre.
Use a small nail or scissors to make an opening, then fix one part of the magnet clasp firmly. Repeat this process on the other side so that both parts align perfectly.
Step Seven: Attaching the Outer Layer
Apply glue to the Maco cutouts and the carry board. Carefully align and glue them together, ensuring that the handle openings align perfectly.
This gives the bag a clean, finished outer body.
Step Eight: Adding the Handle
My client wanted a long, fancy handle, just like mine, so I used some large keyholder rings I had at home. Then I made a long handle from my jeans waistline, unlike mine, which I sewed with needle and thread by hand, my clients own long handle was made by a nearby seamstress in my neighbourhood.
And we’re done
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I truly appreciate your time.
Have a lovely day.