Isn't she beautiful?
Last Wednesday I was inspired by this great tutorial on Little Birdie Secrets for a super easy handbag with bamboo handles.
Now, I tag A LOT of tutorials on del.icio.us, but rarely do I immediately start making alterations and customizations in my head or have a piece of fabric pop instantly to mind for making them.
This time, I did. I immediately knew that I would want larger handles to be able to throw it over my shoulder if needed and I would want to add a lining with at least one pocket. I had been eyeing some 'red tag' cotton upholstery fabric at our local fabric store (but hadn't felt justified in buying it) that I knew would be perfect for the bag I had in mind. Pickle and I would head to town on Friday, so I planned to pick up the fabric and some handles then.
Friday, my girl and I headed off for a bit of warehouse shopping, a flu shout (*ouch*), lunch with Daddy and a quick run through the fabric store. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the fabulous red tag fabric I'd been eyeing, but I did find this lovely print in greens. I was so excited to find this cotton for the lining. What do you think?
This time, I did. I immediately knew that I would want larger handles to be able to throw it over my shoulder if needed and I would want to add a lining with at least one pocket. I had been eyeing some 'red tag' cotton upholstery fabric at our local fabric store (but hadn't felt justified in buying it) that I knew would be perfect for the bag I had in mind. Pickle and I would head to town on Friday, so I planned to pick up the fabric and some handles then.
Friday, my girl and I headed off for a bit of warehouse shopping, a flu shout (*ouch*), lunch with Daddy and a quick run through the fabric store. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the fabulous red tag fabric I'd been eyeing, but I did find this lovely print in greens. I was so excited to find this cotton for the lining. What do you think?
I was so excited at the idea of a new bag (I've been carrying my leather tote for almost two years!) that I got started on it as soon as Pickle was in bed. I made my bag a bit bigger, added a lining with a divided pocket (for cell phone and keys) and chose round handles instead of the ovals shown in the tutorial. Even with making alterations and construction decisions as I went (and only a couple of ripped out & re-sewn seams), this bag only took me about three hours to construct. That includes hand sewing the handles in place!
I learned a few things along the way and have made notes for my next bag to make it even better.
Does a new hand bag bring you this much joy?
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