QAL Handbag

I wanted to write a review of my experience sewing this handbag. It was a lot of fun to design and create since I was doing it to my own tastes. I love to create other peoples' bags, but it is so different doing your own!

I started with this queen anne's lace fabric I found at the fabric store one day this summer. I knew I had to have it because of the beautiful shade of brown and the contrasting white silhouette of the plant. I love fabrics that are evocative of stamps or printmaking, so I usually like to pick out bold, realistic representations of nature.

I pleated the front using a new method that I really like. I call it the peek-a-boo pleat because you are bringing together two areas of fabric to meet in the middle and what is left is a little triangle peeking out.

A loyal customer of mine suggested using a zipper to close my bags since she would like one made for herself soon. What a great idea! I had always used magnetic snaps, which work great, but for real security of your items, this is much better. I researched how to sew a recessed zipper, and found a great tutorial that helped me a lot. It was not anywhere near as scary as I thought, and it came out perfect. I added a wooden beaded zipper pull I had materials for in my stash, and added that since the zipper isn't the highest quality like I usually use for my shop items. It just doesn't pull as smooth as the ones I usually use, but the zipper pull remedied that.

I stabilized this bag with heavy cotton batting against the interior, which gave it a nice, organic and natural look without destroying the shape of the bag's details. Something I will do different with the next bag I make in this style is to make the straps about 2-3" longer. This length is great if you are not wearing anything but a tee shirt and have stick arms, but otherwise I don't think it is roomy enough to put a normal-sized arm that may be covered in a sweater or jacket.

When I went to pick out my interior lining fabric, I immediately spotted this colorful flower print that is overlaid on the same fabric as my exterior. It was by the same designer and everything, but with a punch of color. Just what I like! It made a great interior print that is fun and happy to add to the bag. Then I used a pink "buds" fabric for my pockets and fob strap. I added the 2 smaller pockets because they are the same size as the ones in my Nine West bag that I alwasy use. I like to have a spot for my phone and my mini notebook and calling cards and pen.

Then I added this long large pocket to keep my faith journal or my craft notebook in. I didn't account for the depth I added to the bag after I installed the pocket, so it got dragged down to the bottom a little, but it still works. Now I know for next time.

So, there you have it! That is what I have been working on this week and am so happy I did. It really is silly I haven't been carrying a bag I made myself since that is what my little shop is all about, but I never wanted to take time to do it when I could be making some to sell! Now I am wanting to make a matching wallet--the long kind that you can fit a checkbook into. We'll see if I get to it!