Another New Bag

I just finished a new handbag. This one was made using a free tutorial you can find here

http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2007/09/green-wool-br-2.html

I have two suggestions to improve upon the blogger's directions. One is to make the pattern pieces for the shell, band, and handles according to her directions, but for the lining the sizing is off. You'll end up with a bag with insides much narrower at the bottom than the shell is. So what I did was I cut out the main shell sections, made the pleats and stitched them in place. I then traced around the pleated shell onto freezer paper to make the pattern for the lining. This makes the inside of your bag the same size and shape as the outside - only without pleats. The second suggestion is to be sure to do all your shell embellishments before you join to the lining instead of waiting until the end.

For my bag I repurposed an old pair of Ken's jeans for the shell and used scraps from my stash for the lining. I used a button and loop for the closure instead of a magnetic closure - mostly because I didn't want to spend $5.