So.... I used to sew a bit when I was in highschool. By that I mean, I made a few pairs of basic shorts, a lunchbag, a skirt or two.... some REALLY baggy pants. All that jazz. Really simple, mostly straight lines.
I've always enjoying sewing, but I didn't have my own machine, I had to walk to my Mom's to sew, etc etc... and this year for Christmas I got SPOILED! My in-laws gave me a brand spankin' new machine and I have been sewing on it pretty much every day since Christmas. (I've fixed just about every seam come apart in my house, ha ha..., sewed a shirred scarf, a couple of zippered pouches, and a dog-house-coat)
Also - I'm a Mom and I carry about ten-ga-jillion things in my purse all the time and am constantly rumaging around the bottom trying to find things because all of my purses are just one big compartment in the middle.
Well NOT. ANY. MORE.
Yesterday I decided, I was going to sew myself a purse. And not just any purse, no no. One with 3 (that's right 3!) sections in it, with lots of pockets, and a really long strap (because that's how I wear my purse, keeps both hands free), and no zipper at the top to break because I end up stuffing it too full or anything like that. And I was going to sew it myself. Damn skippy.
Now - you might be saying - sounds great Tea! But remember... I've never sewn a bag before. Let alone a lined bag, let alone one with 3 compartments - but hey, go big or go home right?
SO here it is - in all its bag glory - I call it the Ulti-Mom, like ultimate Mom bag. It has 3 big sections, with pockets on either side, space to separate my wallet and chequebook from my coupons and makeup from my pens and dayplanner. A big ol' button to keep it kind of closed, a nice long strap - and hey - I think it's kind of a cute design too.
I made up the pattern (in my head), drew it out on freezer paper, cut the pieces, sewed the lining first (sewed on pockets, sewed on the sides/bottoms of each section, sewed the tops of the sections together, then tacked the 3 compartments together), sewed the outside of the bag, tried sewing the lining in twice before I figured it out correctly (Lining the way it should be, with the bag right side out INSIDE the middle of the lining) hand stitched the little section that was open for turning, sewed the strap, picked open the seams on the purse in two sections, put the strap in, sewed it back up, made a flap, did a buttonhole (my machine is so cool it practically does the whole buttonhole by itself! whee!) sewed on the flap and the button and then pranced around the house being quite proud of myself until Hubs said "Uh... you can stop now, we have all been dosed by your awesomeness".
Then I promptly filled it with all my purse stuff and used it all day today. I love it!
And yes - I AM quite proud of me. Not bad for my first ever purse.
Whaddya think?
C&C totally welcome. And consider advice truly solicited.
Thanks! Tea.
