I’ve seen quite a few of these Japanesque bags around online and was tempted to buy the pattern books for them but I wanted to save money. (I’m such a good girl!)
So I decided to reverse engineer it. This is the first time I’ve done something like this.
I am pleased to say that it was a success! After hours of maths and thinking.
That’s where my good maths skills come in handy. 
I made a teeny prototype at first and then when that was a success, I made the life sized one.
I am making this for the Ravelry Aussie Project Bag Swap. I am going to make it in my swapper’s favourite colour of course. I hope she likes it!!!
Meanwhile, this bag is all mine and it is already housing my Anisette Shawl (WIP).
Close up on the cute wittle hippopotamus button!
Oh, I am not sure if I am allowed to post a tutorial of this bag on my blog if it’s not my original design. Although the instructions and steps would be from me…. but I did not design this bag. I would love to provide a tutorial but am really not sure of this and I don’t want to get into trouble. I will check with others and let you peeps know. Do leave me a note if you know anything about copyrights, please. Appreciate all advice!
Ok, this is where I have to rush through this blog post – Nad woke up and wants to go grocery shopping NOW. NOW NOW NOW. -___-
I made this box a few nights ago following a pattern from a Japanese sewing book. (The same book as the one I tried to follow instructions for the pencil case before.)
I modified it a little – made it bigger and added a button.
Fabric was from Spotlight (I LOOOVEEE the mushrooms! Mogu mogu!)
The strap to go around the button is actually a hair-tie. Lol. Make use of things around the house!
The button was bought by my mum from Singapore. Finally found a use for these cute little pig shaped buttons!
And this is what it’s holding right now:
Yep! Thread!
Itobako ( ??) means thread-box in Japanese.
Finally have an organised stash of thread.
OK GOTTA RUN!!!!!!!!! CYA!
