My Mom’s birthday is next week, and since we are going to see them tomorrow I decided to make her a leather handbag for her birthday. I actually called and told her I was going to do that, just so I could ask her color preference. She was excited, and hopefully she will love this bag.
This is a bag I have made several times. I drafted up a pattern off a bag I had purchased. The shape is a little different, as are all of the pockets, but I liked the size of it.
These are the pattern pieces I use for it.
Here are a few in process pictures:
I bought all of the gold hardware at Pacific Trimmings. I was having a hard time finding it local (especially the magnets).
I did make one change to the handle after I took the pictures. The Minelli leather is very smooth and slippery, so I sewed a small piece of suede on the underside of the middle of the handle. That worked to keep it from slipping off the shoulder.
The reverse appliques are designs I drew for the bag onto Heat n’ Bond. I cut out the designs and adhered to the leather with the iron and pressing cloth. I then cut the design with scissors and an exacto knife. Once the design was cut, I placed the lining suede over the openings, ironed it to the Heat n’ Bond and then stitched it down. There are some in-process pictures in the slideshow above.
These side pockets are really nice to have. I use them for my sunglasses and my phone. It just has some thin elastic in it, and is lined with the lining fabric.
Now after making two bags this week, I (and my machines!) need a rest from bag making. I need to make a trip to the fabric store for the next piece of my son’s costume, so in the meantime there is a top I need to test.
But that will be next week.
Hope everyone has a lovely Easter/Passover weekend with their families!
