The Katydid Bag

This is my bag review for the AWESOME Purse Palooza event going on over at Sew Sweetness!  I was supposed to have this completed October 1st...did not happen.  Did not even come close to happening.  I was planing on making the Lilium Laptop Bag but in my mind I had envisioned that the compass I made was going to fit on the flap and I was WRONG!  I looked through all the other bags and then called Sara.  This happens every time I make a bag  since I am not a bag maker and she knows everything there is to know about bags.  I knew she would walk me through finding the "right" bag for my block and not make me feel like a complete idiot.

Unfortunately for me there was no other pattern that would work...sigh...so Sara said "I have an idea..." and The Katydid Bag was what came out of my inability to conform and my having the best friend in the world!

Now, if you know Sara, you know that she has been CRAZY busy with not only her business but other stuff too.  I sent her a message telling her NOT TO design a new bag and that I would make something else and this one can wait.  I woke up to an email saying " I know you told me not too but I love you too much".  GAH!  And she named it after her mini me Katy that LIVES with me so I could not be totally pissed.

Sara sent me the pattern with all the directions I needed.  There were limited photos which made me consider biting my nails again.  I am so very visual and need lots of actual photos, with Sara's instructions, I did not need the usual picture for every step.

The only adjustments I made to the original pattern were the handle holders were bias folded and I changed it to make holders that were flat on either side. I also needed to sew with a 1/4 in seam instead of the 1/2in suggested.  I wanted for my compass points to show.

I made the front panel using the pattern on Quilting on the Square .  I want to make them all. Really great patterns.  I made the block scrappy using many different designers including Kate Spain, Heather Ross and Joel Dewberry. The lining fabric is Alexander Henry Mirabelle, one of my all time favorite prints. I would do a happy dance if they would send me 20 yds of that print!  The background fabric is from Joann's.  It is not 100 percent cotton and is more like a microfiber.  Stretched a bit more than I would have liked but the fact that it is a perfect black made up for the slight difficulty in handling. For the interfacing I used the recommended Pellon sf-101 and Annie's Soft and Stable. The thread used was my trusty Aurifil.  I used 50wt for the topstitching and quilting and the 40wt for the bag assembly.


The features of this bag are what make me want to make another.   The recessed zipper is easy and creates a finished look.

SO MUCH ROOM!!!! If you have even been with me anywhere, you know I carry a ton of crap.  Still not sure what it all is but it is ALL in my bag.  This one will meet my needs for sure!

The pattern called for two zippered pockets.  I chose to do one.  I only had this one fab vintage pink zipper from Lindsay  to use and well, it is just perfection.  Do not be afraid to do zippers.  It is easy and the method Sara uses is one of the most simple.  If you are doing it for the first time, try it out on  a scrap first.  Get comfortable with it and you will be a pro in no tome!

Inside is a fun bit of Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt.  It looks so great with the Alexander Henry Mirabelle

I am not even sure when Sara plans to release this pattern but when she does...GET IT!!!  It is easy and AMAZING!!!! If you are going to Quilt Market please look for this bag, it will be there with me :)

Linked up to 

Finish It Up Friday

Whirling dervish

Oh my, I know it seems as though I have been quiet and absent. I have been absent but I am NEVER quiet :o)  There have been so many things going on with Purse Palooza and my honored position as the Giveaway Fairy or Fairy Giftmutha, I have been woking overtime to get all the posts started so I not get behind ( seriously, there are THAT MANY).

Aside from that, I finished my bag which will be shared Monday!!!!

I have my father and step-mother visiting this week and they brought me treasures from my grandparent's house. My grandmother passed last fall and the house was sold so all the treasures inside had to find new homes and some have some to live with me.

I had been planning to start embroidery ( REALLY, it is true) and this little set that was my great grandmother's has made want to start even more!

This adorable thimble was in the really small basket

There was also this vintage lovely

I was also being inspired by nature and playing with a new design

 I have been admiring all the BEAUTIFUL blocks sent to me by the MOST WONDERFUL people EVER!!!!!!  You guys are the BEST and I LOVE YOU for helping me with this project!!!!!! I am hoping to have the rest of my blocks soon so I can start putting this together!!!! THANK YOU ladies!!!!!

And finally, getting my Denyse Schmidt charm swaps ready!

So, if I am absent for a few more days you can be assured I am working like a whirling dervish to bring you really great stuff in the following weeks (including tutorials for some new projects)!!!!!!

And in preparation of Purse Palooza check out Sara's post on interfacing ( the photo alone is worth a click)

Back to reality

This back to reality thing after market is HARD!  After a little bout of Market flu ( seriously could not move for two days), I had to get back into a routine that was somehow very easily pushed out of my brain by all the fabulous I had experienced in KC.  I need to figure out how to start a quilting commune ;o)  I wonder if Bernina would sponsor one,LOL!

So y'all know I was not a complete slacker, here is what I did on the plane.  This was HUGE for me since I do not hand sew. I have to admit that it was fun and the guy sitting next to me was telling me about how his mother would make his clothing growing up.  Sewing is a common thread most people can relate to, one of the many things to love about it!!!!

When I returned home I had this AMAZING parcel waiting at my doorstep!!!!! I had won a giveaway from Sago On Tuesdays. It is a beautiful hand bound leather notebook and a couple of smaller notebooks...all STUNNING!!!!!  I am one LUCKY girl!!!!! Sonya's work is breathtaking. Go check out her blog and her shop!!!!!

 

I finally received my Flea Market Fancy!!!!!! I have plans for this that  *fingers crossed* will work out. One can never tell for certain with plans, they seem to always change at the last minute ;o)

This magazine...YES! I read it from cover to cover on the plane ride from KC to ATL!!!!! I am ready for the next issue!!!! Great job and congratulations on a wonderful magazine Generation Q!!!!!!  And Scott Hansen wears the best shirts I have ever seen!!!!!!

Now back to choosing fabrics for my bag for PURSE PALOOZA 2012.  It starts next Friday and I am so excited!!!!

I *think* these are my choices but we shall see...

Time to get back to reality and do some dishes before I start sewing again!!!!!