Anybody make one of these? I've sketched up some plans and am going to make one of these as a test this week and was wondering if maybe its just easier to buy one as opposed to spending a couple of hours cutting and stitching. I've got a dexent one with a handle but they always looked suspicious to me with a handle on 'em.


Sammy the Kid

A simple one is really easy to make. I made mine by cutting 3 pieces of fabric, one being a bit longer than the other two. To that longer piece I made a channel and inserted a piece of flexible plastic (from a display tray for easter eggs) and hemmed the end of the other two. Placed all three (carefully lined up) on top of each other and just sewed. Trimmed the edges and turned it inside out. Took about 30 minutes and works like a charm. Just remember that the center piece (with the plastic strip to aid in handling) goes on top when you sew, when turned inside out it goes in the middle. If you choose to do like I did, make sure the plastic (or whatever you use) is short enough so when assembling you don't sew it in place but it remains between the two outside seams of the bag. Handles much better.

If you think the one handled version looks suspicious (unless you are taking up a collection in a church) what makes you think stuffing something in a bag is any better? There needs to be a reason for introducing it, or it will always "look suspicious." The best one I ever saw was the lady's handbag used in the parasol trick. The lady came on carrying a parasol and a handbag... it was there, so it got used. You can still find wooden or metal handbag tops to sew onto the top of your change bag at sewing shops. But again, make sure you have a reason for it, otherwise use a different method to make the change. For example, if you were doing a bar act, throwing the objects to be changed into a shaker can might make more sense. Of course, the Wizard way is always the best (I'm biased that way). Just tap it with your wand and it changes. No bag, no tube, no box.