I sew quite a lot and like anyone who sews will tell you that one of the inevitable consequences is a collection (sometimes quite a large collection) of fabric scraps.

There are so many things that you can make with small scraps of fabric, one of the most traditional, and still really popular, is some sort of patchwork.

It’s time once again for the Sustainable Craft Challenge, when I join some of my creative blogging friends and we all share a craft with an eco friendly, sustainable twist. It might be a craft that upcycles something that might normally be thrown away, it might be using a sustainable product, or simply shopping a craft stash instead of buying something new.

This month the theme for the Sustainable Craft Challenge is MONOCHROME so I took the chance to sort through my box of fabric scraps and pull out anything in black, white and shades of grey so I could turn them into something monochrome.

I decided to make one of my simple squared knot bags. I first designed these bags a few years ago because I’ve always loved the style of Japanese knot bags but found it quite difficult to get a neat finish on the tight curves under the handles. This is a very simplified version of the traditional style that uses separate squared off handles making it much easier to sew, especially for beginners.

To make a monochrome simplified knot bag you will need:

• Scraps of black, white and grey fabric

• Sewing machine and thread

• Fabric for the bag lining

• The easy knot bag pattern

I won’t go through the whole knot bag “how to” here because you can find the full tutorial with lots of step by step photos to create the bag here: Easy squared knot bag.

To create these patchwork pieces just sew your fabric scraps together trimming where necessary to make the size and shape you need. You can plan first if you like to get a balance of colour and style or be totally random.

These are all my bag pieces cut out ready, the patchwork pieces for the outside of the bag and a monochrome geometric fabric I had in my stash for the lining. This geometric black, white and grey cotton print was the leftover pieces from a dress I made earlier this year. It’s from a duvet/comforter cover that a friend gave me “in case you can use it for something”. I’ve said it before but I really do have the best friends! You can see me frolicking about in the dress over on Instagram if you’re interested!

Here’s my finished monochrome simple knot bag. The long handle slips through the short handle and then can be slipped over your wrist.

This style of knot bag makes a lovely evening bag but they are also a nice size for a crochet project bag, a ball of yarn and hook fits inside easily and once the bag is slipped over your wrist your hands are free for your crocheting - you can even crochet standing up. I realise that may sound like a very niche USP but you just never know when that might be something you want to do!

Now let’s take a look at the other MONOCHROME themed projects shared in this month’s Sustainable Craft Challenge

Old Rock Farmhouse: Simple Silhouette Greeting Cards

Purple Hues and Me: Monochrome Soda Bottle Goodie Bag

Southern Sunflowers: Easy DIY Button Art on Canvas

Sew Crafty Crochet: Monochrome Crochet Scarves

Our Good Life : Monochrome Watercolour Painting

Normally I am all about colour, colour, colour, the brighter the better so it’s been a nice change to create using a monochrome colour palette. I love the mix of ideas my creative friends have come up with too, from Terri’s sophisticated painting to Allyson’s super cute panda! I love T’onna’s cozy scarves, going to a good cause as well as helping her yarn stash busting mission. Gail is just SO creative with what she can make from a humble plastic bottle and Marci was inspired by a lovely moment from her school days.

Julie