Though fall isn’t quite here yet, the crisp air around here inspired me to get out the wool. I made this handbag from the Tiered Bag pattern in 1, 2, 3 Sew. As you may know, I can never follow a pattern — apparently not even my own, so I made some modifications.
If you don’t sew, you will be totally bored by this paragraph, so just skip on down to the next one. I made the folds, but basted them in place inside the seam allowance and just let the bag have a more slouchy look. I also added a middle panel and curved bottom, rather than the squared bottom that I made for the bag in the book. I was fresh out of magnetic snaps, so I’ve left the opening in the lining to add one later. Knowing me, I will walk around with it like this until spring comes. I’m undecided about whether I will topstitch around the opening after I add the snap. I did a zig-zag on the inside, so it should be plenty secure and though I recommend it for the bag in the book, I sometimes feel a topstitch spoils things.
The wool was sent to me by Heavens to Betsy and I used a vintage Vera Neumann sheet for the lining (along with some fusible fleece to make it nice and sturdy). I also added a strip of vintage lace down the center of the back and front.
This is a speedy bag to make and can be modified in all sorts of different ways. If you have the book, I’d love to see how you made it.
I recognise the sheet you used for lining–I had it on my bed 20+ years ago when I was little. Thanks for the memory jog. Oh, and the bag looks lovely.
I love the fabric you have used for this bag! Gorgeous!
Good lord, it’s lovely Ellen! Love the lining as well:)
I love, love, love, this bag. The wool is beautiful. And Vera knows her prints. If I wasn’t still carting around a giant bag to store diapers and kid junk in, I would make a bag just like this for everyday.
It’s so beautiful! And my parents totally had those sheets. I love that they’re now “vintage”, not just old sheets from the seventies.
It’s very cute! I like the addition of the lace, it makes it much more prettier.
I love your bag and your constant need to deviate from the pattern. Makes me laugh. I see myself, my mother and my friends in that. Love, too, that you used a vintage sheet for the inside. And that it’s not totally finished before it’s pressed into service. LOVE the lighter interior fabric. Finding things in your purse is pretty important.
I love the color you used! I’ve been loving anything in that sort of mustard yellow color!
Gotta get my hands on your book! Looks like a good one! 🙂
Classy!
I love it–especially the lining! So pretty!
Ellen! The bag is gorgeous!!! I have your book and I never would have thought to deviate from the pattern, It scared me. I am going to have to try that one now.
This is absolutely stunning!
I have those sheets in green! They’re sitting at the top of my fabric stash waiting to be used in the perfect project.