Summer shopper bag

A lot of the blogs I've read on sewing recommend that once you've made something once, and got your head round the pattern, sizing etc, you should make it again.  And this time - better :)

In my first blog post I posted a picture of my shopper bag, which was the first project that I made from my Crafty Minx book.  I decided to have another go at it, now I had my head round those french seams and 'right side/wrong side' terminology!  It was my sister's birthday in May, so I thought she would like a new improved version of the bag - and she did!

Summer shopper bag

I had some fabric left over from my summer top, so I used it for the body of the bag.  Unfortunately, I didn't have quite enough length left for the straps, so I decided to do them in a block pink colour, which I really liked - a nice contrast to the 'busy' fabric.  I did french seams, to give it a bit more strength, and sewed on the straps with the cute little box design in the picture in the book.  The big pink button from my button jar finished it off perfectly.

Final threads and...

...finishing touches

As Esther was over in England this weekend, I managed to get this little shot of her posing with it in the sunshine.

Esther with her summer shopper bag

Bags and brooches

Welcome to my blog!

I've decided to rejoin the blogging world - after an awkward teenage attempt at blogging, I think I may finally have the courage to begin again!  After a degree, and three (seemingly endless) years of studying for my chartered examns, I suddenly find myself with a little of that precious commodity - spare time.  Obviously, the time was right to get a new hobby...so here I am, starting a sewing blog!

I got my machine for Christmas - a little nervously, because I had told everyone I wanted one, without the benefit of actually knowing if I liked sewing - a risky strategy, you appreciate!  Fortunately, it turns out that despite no prior experience, skill, and initially know even knowing how to operate the presser foot on my machine...sewing turns out to be a fun, different hobby that I am loving.  Definitely a relief!

I've found that so many times when I see beautiful handmade brooches, berets or whatever, I've thought 'I could do that'...and then I never have.  So I decided it was time to make that change!  Here's my first little brooch - I thought it was a bit different, and I've worn it with various tops and outfits - either to match, or bring a bit of colour!

My siblings gave me this craft book for Christmas, and that gave me a bit of inspiration as well - it had never occurred to me that I could make bags or anything really, but there was a shopper bag in the book that I really liked, so I went for it as my first project.  It was a brilliant opportunity to do a bit of learning on a project that wasn't too complicated.  Concepts like the 'right side' and the 'wrong side' felt like they were a bit beyond me, haha - but I think I've started to get my head round it!  A few pics below - I've used it so many times now, and it's bravely carried shopping, stillettos, and even library books, so it's been a real success.

I'm hoping that this blog will be a good place to chronicle my sewing journey - I hope you enjoy coming on it with me :)