{sewing} Bag mode & off to Quilt Market!

   I've been in a 'bag mode' lately for some reason...thats all I want to sew. It started with me teaching a class on my Drop Top Messenger Bag featured on the cover of STITCH this fall. After the magazine launched I was invited to Olive Juice Quilts in Onalaska, WI to hold an all day saturday class on it. It was such a blast and the shop was AMAZING!

   The shop was fabulous, I encourage anyone who is in the Lacrosse area to stop in and check it out, my pictures do not do it justice! 

   My ladies did a great job throughout the day and they learned a lot not only about making the bag but also about their machines, the edge stitching foot, freehand systems, top stitching and so much more. The ladies at the shop were so kind and all in all it was a great day. 

   After watching my ladies sew all day Saturday, I was so excited to get home and make a bag of my own. Anna Maria Horners new pattern, Art Student Tote, arrived at the shop earlier that week and I could not wait to make one. Since I traveled through the cities to WI...I had to stop at fabric shops on my way down. I ended up at Crafty Planet and Treadle Yard Goods in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area, where I spent WAY to much $ for my own good. I picked up voiles, Amy Butler Rayon, Melody Miller Ruby Star Rising Prints, LouLouthi Needle works fabric and so much more. 

    As soon as I got home I went to work on my bags and they turned out awesome...really awesome. I liked the pattern so much I made 3 of them. 

   The first was out of fabulous Ruby Star Rising prints by Melody Miller...I just LOVE the face print. I got the pocket print by fussy cutting it out of a coordinating print in the line. I used a coordinating enchino eggplant dot for the handles and side straps.

    Inside I used a home dec weight lining, nice and light so you can see all your stuff. I then used the view master print for the pockets to add a fun touch. I interfaced all the pockets, exterior and lining with Bosal fusible woven interfacing. It adds just enough body for the bag to hold its shape, especially when all my junk gets put in there. 

    This bag now hangs in the shop for a sample until the fabric is gone, then I get to use it! The second bag made was another sample for the shop. I wanted to make it look just like the cover of the pattern, with extender flap in all. 

   The only change I made was to the extender flap. I cut off about half of the flap, down to about 4". I liked it better when it wasn't so tall, it really got in the way a little bit. I used the orange hugs & kisses print that I used for the extension for the inside as well, along with Bosal interfacing on everything. 

   I wanted to add a little extra to the front zippers, so I found some charms in my stuff at home that were the perfect color. They add just a touch of glam to it! I also stitched through ALL my layers, sewing the exterior to the lining where the top of my handles are. It gave the bag a little more stability when large amounts of stuff get put into it. 

   The final version I made is for me. It doesn't hang in the shop...I actually get to use it everyday! I made a few more changes to this one, knowing it was mine to use. 

•shortened extension flap

• lengthened handles by about 14"

• sewed my handles at the top through all the layers

• sewed down both side seams through all my layers to help hold my lining in place. 

    I really love the shortened extension flap...there isn't so much bulk in the top of the bag when its not in use. I also added some jewels to my zipper tabs for a little something extra. 

   All the pockets on the inside of this one are customized to what I carry on a daily basis. My planner, wallet, sketchbook, pens, work tablet, laptop and my trusty camera (Nikon D40). I used Drawing room home dec for my pockets, again everything in this purse is interfaced with Bosal. Its my go-to interfacing for just about everything.  

   I have a few more things to post as soon as I get back from Quilt Market in Houston. I am SO excited to go and see all that is new....including new AMH ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons! 

Check them out....

AND

Something that I am REALLY excited about...the re-print of Flea Market Fancy!

    Yup it's finally being re-printed after all the begging for a re-print - they finally got it together and decided to make it happen. I'll know which prints they are producing in the next few days as soon as I know I am going to be placing them on our site for pre-order. 

Whew! A ton will be happening in the next few days...I can't wait to post pictures of all that we see. Check back...I'l post everything as soon as I can. 

Off to market! xx Steffani