My drawstring backpack that I carry as a purse has been used to death and seen better days so I decided it was time for a new everyday bag/purse for myself. I spent a few evenings drawing and planning, a week-ish sewing off and on, and here it is!
I found the teal and brown geometric print at Hobby Lobby. Its a duck cloth/canvas, although not super sturdy. In hindsight I should have experimented around with interfacings because it could be just a tad stiffer.
I love piping, so this bag got a generous dose of nice brown piping - all around the base and sides and top of the bag, as well as both sides of the strap. A cute little pleat in the middle adds just a tiny bit of shaping and adds a few cuteness points.
I spent a long time looking locally for slide buckles so that the strap could be adjustable. It was ridiculous - between all the craft and sewing stores we have around here I could not make one single set of hardware for this bag in all the correct sizes and all the correct materials. Either I could match sizes or I could match metals (silver, gold, pewter, etc) but not both. I guess I learned my lesson and next time I'll buy the hardware online first before making the bag.
I ended up with nice bars on the sides, just no slider for adjustability. As is, its a long shoulder strap - not quite cross body. (Come to think of it, it might work for cross body once summer comes and we can shed the layers of clothing and puffy jackets. Its working okay as a long shoulder strap so I'm happy either way.) I worked very hard to get a totally reversible strap with piping. Not that anyone else will notice, but it was a fun mental exercise to make it work without any exposed ends.
The lining is a fun brown on brown checkerboard print and I added a cute curvy elasticized pocket custom sized for my phone. I also added a magnetic snap. I've never used those before but it was super simple to insert. I could see those becoming kind of addicting. :)
I've been using it for a few weeks now and I really like it. The best part is that I actually physically measured the stuff I keep in my purse on a regular basis and made this to match so its JUST the right size. Not too big, not too small. Love, love, love that about it. It was also good sewing practice with piping, straps, structure, layers, etc so I feel like this bag is good but my next one can be really great because the sewing technique will be that much better/smoother.
Yeah for a new bag... I should do it more often! :)
