The Mission Recreate the bag that I normally take with me to Europe. The bag is pretty easy to take with me on trips, because by itself it weighs next to nothing.  The canvas (I think) is pretty sturdy, and I don’t have to worry about it getting dirty. It’s pretty big, too.  Big enough for both of our Kindles, one or more bottles of … Continue reading The Messenger Bag Mission

I mentioned a while ago that colleagues from China sent home fabric and the materials needed to make a small coin sized purse and a larger hard closure purse.  I’d put the fabric away for awhile to get Christmas projects done, and then take some time away from my craft room. But now I’m looking forward to spending some time there.  And I selected the … Continue reading Coin Purse – A Gift from China

This is a pattern I picked up on the website http://www.ithinksew.com. It was supposed to be MM’s anniversary gift, but time ran away from me, and now I’m almost a month late getting it done. To be honest, a great deal of effort had to go into getting the hardware required for the bag.  I even sent a message to the website to get some … Continue reading Charles Men’s Duffle

The instructions for this bag really aren’t too bad.  The one thing I would suggest is that they are read from beginning to end BEFORE cutting any of the fabric. Why? Handles. As I’ve mentioned before, I typically like to have bags with handles long enough to throw over my shoulder.  Unfortunately, the instructions don’t mention that they can be lengthened until WELL after you’ve … Continue reading Riviera Handbag Part 2

This bag pattern comes from Annie’s Catalog.  The pattern is pretty well written, though suggested modifications are mentioned AFTER the instructions regarding cutting the fabric.  The only thing this impacted for me was the length of the handles.  I typically like to put bags on my shoulder, and this is just short enough to make it a little uncomfortable.  Therefore, if you’re looking for the … Continue reading Riviera Handbag

Lining Modifications I like having pockets on the inside of my bag to make organization a little easier.  If you remember, I cut out additional large pockets in both the external and interior fabric for this purpose.  I’ll be using the external fabric as the exterior of the interior pocket, and the lining fabric for the lining of it.  I also cut out additional interfacing … Continue reading Amy Butler Weekender Part 4

Side Pockets Adding the side pockets is pretty easy as well, when you follow the instructions!  I do like the detailing of the top stitches across the opening, too. Attaching the Bottom of the bag to the Top Panels This includes the steps of sewing together three layers of Peltex, and seaming together the two short sides and one long side of the interfacing to … Continue reading Amy Butler Weekender Part 3

Handles! If you remember from the first part of the tutorial, I modified the width and length of the handles based off of another tutorial that I had read.  This makes it possible to put the bag over your shoulder.  The pattern calls for the fabric and Peltex to be cut 48 inches in length, but for J’s bag, I’m using 56 inches.  I’ve also increased … Continue reading Amy Butler Weekender Part 2

The Plan Ah, the Amy Butler Weekender…  I first saw a picture of the bag on Pinterest, and though that it would be a great project to attempt. And then I started noticing that all the tutorials that Pinterest pointed to talked about how difficult the bag was to put together.  So, though I had bought the pattern (on Amazon, though you can purchase it … Continue reading Amy Butler Weekender Part 1