Change is Constant and Inevitable

This quote has been further ingrained in my mind particularly these last few weeks. I needed to make big changes in my surroundings to free up more "me" time because it was affecting my sewing speed among other things. I'm sure many of you can relate. Let's see how these changes fall into place for the next few weeks.

I did manage to make a bag. I plan to make another for my mother as a birthday gift. Well, it's missing handles (still looking for the perfect ones- I'm picky) and I need to hand sew the seam by the zipper to the zipper after the handles are added, but the bag is pretty much done. The process was fun and simple. I used Butterick 4148-View A (the white one with black handles).

These are the materials I used:

1) 2 Fabrics (a jean fabric & a woven fabric)

2) Sew-in Interfacing

3) 12" Zipper

4) Cardboard, 9³/4" × 4³/4"

5) Single Fold Bias Tape

6) Black Vinyl (for bottom of bag only)

**Number 5 & 6 is a my personal touch and is not in the original handbag pattern**

The bag is inside out in the picture above. I adjusted the original pattern by making a copy and horizontally cutting 1/3 of it (the 1/3 was for the lower half) and adding in a 1/2' seam allowance. I wanted the bag to have two outer fabrics. I topstitched a strip of single bias tape where both of the outers fabrics met (not shown ).

The pattern instructions says to place the cardboard in the handbag after the lining is attached, but for a clean finish, I decided to loosely stitch on each side the cardboard to the bottom of the bag before I attached the inner lining. The purpose of the loose stitch was to allow no restriction between the bottom of the bag and the cardboard yet keeping the cardboard from sliding out of place. I also didn't want to risk the cardboard's stitch pulling the bag in the wrong areas if the stitch was too tight.

In the picture above, the outer bag is inside out and is covered by the lining. It's ready for the handles to be attached. Once I do that and finish the seams, I'll post a picture. Oh, I almost forgot to add the outside of the purse, as you can see from view A, has a pocket which I plan to add a script monogram of the letter "D''. I'm still haven't decided which method I will use to attach it, whether be it a felt sew-in attachment or a free embroidery satin stitch.

Well, that's all for now my friends. Ciao!