Reverse Your Purse

I mentioned in a previous post that I am not a purse wearer. I don't like having my hands tied up and, frankly, I'm always just a little nervous that I'll get up and leave my purse sitting in a restaurant/taxi/shop/etc. But a couple of days ago I stumbled across a tutorial for an easy bias tape bag at my new favorite craft/sewing site, Prudent Baby. It looked simple enough, and I'm always looking to expand my skills - I've never done pleating before and I really suck at bias tape- so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
I made the pattern (our printer isn't working so I had to do some improvising) and cut out the material the night before, and yesterday while the big kids were at school and Johan was taking his morning nap, I threw the above bag together. It took me just about 2 hours to complete and that's including the time it took me to make my own bias tape (I didn't have any to match the materials). It's reversible and I love how the two sides go together in a Japanese-y way. And the best part - the red side is plain old cotton for every day use but, although you can't tell from the photo, the white side has a silky texture and a fancy look so if you're planning on hitting the town after work you can reverse your purse and be ready for a night out!
In fact, I loved the purse so much that I had to try it again. So after I put Johan down for his afternoon nap I picked out a couple more fabrics that I love and got to work. This time, though, I shrunk the pattern down a bit and as it turns out, I happened to have some bias tape that matched perfectly and I had exactly the right amount with just 2cm to spare. (I can't tell you how much I love it when that happens!) I finished the second bag in just about 1.5 hours (or 1.5 episodes of my current favorite drama which, being the multitasker I am, I have to watch as I sew). Now I'm so obsessed with these little purses that I'm thinking I'll have to change my ways and become a handbag gal!

Bag it!

A month or so ago I had a small pre-mid-life crisis. I realized that I've become a frumpy, boring old mom. I'd gotten so used to carrying around a backpack for extra kids' clothes, diapers, groceries, etc. that I even used it when I went out on the town for ladies' night! I'm not much of a purse kind of gal. I've tried it several times before, but before long the purses usually end up in the corner collecting dust. I just don't like being tied down. I can't stand having to hold something in my hands as I walk, or having to constantly push straps back onto my shoulders, and I certainly can't walk with a bag in the crook of my arm for any length of time. So rather than spend time and money on searching for an acceptable purse (that would probably end up in the corner a month from now) I decided to expand my sewing horizons and make myself a bag. Enter, the "Hoo-s hoo" of bags (hihi, get it? owl print = hoo...yeah, I'll work on the name). I opted for an extra-long strap so I can just sling it over my head and go. I was smart enough to add an extra pocket inside for wallet & keys and it's even big enough to throw in an extra diaper & some wipes for my days out with Johan! I'm thinking I'll have to make a mini one for Irene as well. She's tickled pink that my bag matches her top so I can't imagine how happy she'd be if we had matching bags.