Come Check Out My Latest Bag....Simplicity 2617

I am so excited to show you my latest bag.  It's the first time I used a paper pattern to make a bag.  Usually I just follow instructions from someone's web site or I make up something myself.  My personality actually goes better with following a specific pattern.  Cut this...fold this...  I like order and organization so this works for me.

This bag came about because a friend of mine found out that I make my own purses and she asked if I would make one for her mom for Christmas.  I was so excited to have my first bag order!  I am not even officially selling, but God usually does things like that to push me along. 

The zipper went in very smoothly and so did the other pocket on the opposite side.  I still have a problem understanding patterns sometimes.  I wasn't for sure what to do with the non-zipper side, so I did what seemed normal.  I guess this is what they wanted me to do???  Either way, I like how it turned out.  I actually kind of wish I would have sewn a line up that pocket to make two smaller pockets.  You can never have enough pockets!!

The button is a magnetic snap.  I love those things!  Snaps are SO easy to put in a bag.  If you have never tried it  you really should.  I'll have to do a tutorial on that sometime.  There were a lot of little exposed threads around the top, as you can see.  Those snipped away pretty easily.  I really do not know what happened there.  I've never had that problem before.

If you are a regular to this blog you will probably recognize the two floral fabrics in this bag.  I got two iPad sleeves out of the smaller floral fabric and now two purses out of the larger floral pattern.  I read somewhere that if you like a pattern, buy 2 yards of it.  So, that is what I did.  I bought 2 yards each of both fabric when I started sewing a year ago.   I FINALLY used it all up!  So, if you don't like it you will not have to look at it any more.  :)

I wanted to mention the zigzag topstich that I used between the fabric pieces.  Do you like that??  I think it adds a unique touch to the bag. 

Another thing I like about this bag is the matching handle.  However, the pattern had me use the sew and turn out method for the strap?  I don't know if that is what it is called, but it was a pain!  I seriously almost threw the handle away because I thought to myself, "This is not going to work!!"  But, with a little patience and perseverance it actually turned out just fine.  It is shorter than expected.  The purse falls just under my arm.  So, if you are planning on making this bag and you want a longer handle then you will have to adjust accordingly.  Personally, I like it.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my new bag!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Gina

I WILL BE LINKING UP AT THESE GREAT PARTIES!