There’s just nothing like being in your comfort zone, the familiarity is like a warm hug! That’s how I feel when I’m sewing bags. No matter where I venture in the sewing world, I feel like I will always identify myself as a bagineer! It’s truly my happy place! I laugh to myself when Jeff asks me, “what are you making now?” and when my answer is “another bag for myself”, I’m sure on the inside, he’s thinking how many bags does she need or doesn’t she have enough! The truth is I really don’t have that many. I find that I have my favourites and I find that I have them on a rotation, changing them out depending on my needs! Eventually, if they are wearing out, I simply cut off any hardware I can salvage and the rest goes in the garbage, which isn’t environmentally friendly I realize, but since I’m only doing this periodically, I am ok with it. If the bag is still in good condition but I’m just through with it, I’ll donate it. Now recently a new situation occurred to me….I have a brand new bag that I just don’t love!!!!!!!
Oh my beloved hippos, it’s not your fault so don’t take this personally lol! Yes, this is the bag I’m referring to. I carried it twice and realized it’s just not the bag for me and I know the exact reason….the straps! I just don’t understand the need for the short handles AND the crossbody strap! I really should have just left the handles off and then there would be no dilemma for me at all! I never know where the handles should hang when I’m wearing the crossbody. If I leave them as they are in the picture, when I need to get into the bag, they’re in the way. If I let them hang all loosy-goosy down from their respective sides, then it just looks sloppy in my opinion! Obviously I could take the crossbody strap off and carry it by the handles but I really enjoy the hands-free option that a crossbody bag gives you!
So for now she is hanging in my closet, practically new but that will be her spot for awhile until I decide her destiny. In the meantime, I’ve been carrying the tiny bag I shared a little while ago, the one I usually reserve for venues that I’m attending until I could decide my next bag, which happened this past week! One of my favourite pattern designers, Blue Calla Patterns, recently released a new pattern, the Zabelia Triple Zip Bag and I’ve been anxious to try it!
I initially purchased this pattern because it’s pretty much the exact style I need to make a bag for my friend Nancy! I will need to make it a few inches taller to accommodate the wallet she prefers to use but I don’t think that will be very difficult! I do think it’s a good idea to make a pattern as per the designer’s instructions before you start mucking around with it sooooooo that’s exactly what I decided to do, all in the name of research…right lol?!? So here she is!!
Oh my goodness, look at my little “pretty in pink” Zabelia, isn’t she the cutest?!? She is such a great size, not too big and not too small! And if you’re looking for a bag with lots of pockets, well then this is the one for you as there is, are you ready for this…..5 pockets!!!! There’s 2 zipper pockets on the front exterior, a slip pocket on the back exterior that has a magnetic snap closure, and then on the interior there is a zipper pocket and a slip pocket!!!
To make this treasure, I used 2 upholstery vinyl remnants from Fabricland, the pink and the teal, and the interior fabric is Schitt’s Creek Moira Wigs that Jeff and Ella got for me when they were in the states! Melissa was kind enough to bring the sparkly zipper by the yard in for me and I think it added the perfect amount of pizzaz to this otherwise kind of plain bag! I will add that I contemplated not using the fancy zipper tape for the mostly hidden bottom front exterior pocket because, well, it’s mostly hidden lol! In the end I just went with it and I kind of regret it! The tape part is made of metallic threads so it’s a little stiffer than a normal zipper tape so doesn’t quite hide down inside the flap. It’s completely fine and maybe that little bit peeping out just adds a bit more interest again! I decided to use both of the vinyls to make the strap and I’m so glad I did, I love the pop of colour with that shimmery teal!
I loved everything about this pattern, as is my usual experience with Blue Calla Patterns! I just love how she writes them and as I’ve said many times before, the fact that she includes a FREE instructional video is wonderful! It came together fairly quickly too, which is always a bonus, and after making it as written, I’m confident that I can easily add on the extra inches needed for Nancy’s bag!
Of course you know I’m already thinking I need to make a new wallet to go with it but that hasn’t happened….yet lol! I recently say one posted by a maker and it intrigued me so I might have to do some more investigating on that lol!
Well my friends, that’s it for now, I shall sign off! as I need to head back to my sewing room to sew up what will hopefully be the last prototype of a pattern that Jeff basically designed for me……I’ll wait a second while you reread that lol! Yes, you read it correctly and don’t worry, I’ll explain all about it…..in my next Blog post so head on back here next week, you aren’t going to want to miss this one lol!
Wishing you all a lovely week, cheers friends!
Shawna
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