Noodlehead Bag

This is a bag I made for my friend Sheryl back in January. She and I had been looking for a pattern that was just right (not too big, not too small, pretty easy to construct) for quite a while. We both saw a picture of this bag come across our email on the same morning and knew this was it. 

Sheryl picked out beautiful fabric and the Noodlehead Runaround pattern was very easy to follow.

 

Not only was it the first bag I completed on my own, but also my first zipper and magnetic closure. All super easy!

 

The only thing I'd do differently next time, is to just generously pin the bottom to the body of the purse to sew it on. I used a long basting stitch that I pulled to gather and I just couldn't get the fabric to stay nice and even all around. I may be too much of a perfectionist but I really wanted to have a little more control over where all the gathers were stitched. I have another bag for myself cut out, so we'll see how smooth it goes. Overall, I really thought this was a great pattern. I'd like to try one of her zipper clutches soon.

{Sharon and Kristin won the Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio giveaways from the last couple of posts! You should have emails waiting in your inboxes.}

A New Bag

While my mom was here visiting, we had a good time visiting quilt shops in the area. We stopped at Prairie Point in Shawnee, Harper's in Overland Park, Sarah's Fabrics in Lawrence and Stitch On, also in Lawrence. A mini shop hop of sorts. Mom let me pick out some fabric and we spent an afternoon making this Birdie Sling pattern by Amy Butler.

I have been a bit intimidated by the idea of making a purse or bag. Layers of batting, interfacing, fabric, lining, zippers, turning inside out... Now that I've helped with the process I'm very confident that I can go solo next time (without a zipper).

Here's a peek at the lining. I really love these Innocent Crush fabrics by Anna Maria Horner. I've been using the bag as a tote and it's so handy. Definitely room for a notebook or two and a camera plus all the other essentials.

I've been making a list of sewing goals for the next year in my head. I'll share those with you next time. Have you been thinking about next year yet?