The Saucy Sack

There are moments like these that I am delighted that I have a photographer (videographer) husband.  This bag looks awesome in person and I am happy to have photos that do it justice.  No “I’m sorry this photo is so dark and blurry” apologies will be found in this post.

It all started when my Trusty Black Pleather Purse broke.  Heart breaking.  It was my first “purse for a grown up” I bought to replace my Girly Pink Freshly Engaged Woman Handbag.  This one was “serious,”  matched everything,  held my large wallet, planner, and most anything else.  Unfortunately, it couldn’t last forever.

So what is a sewist to do when her favorite handbag breaks?  Cut off the good hardware, and sew herself a new bag, of course.  Fortunately, I now know enough about interfacing and making patterns based off other clothes, that I could keep the shape and size of the purse I loved so much while getting more adventurous with color.

I figured out how to add a concealed zipper to the top opening (Thanks U-Handbag!), a cellphone pocket, and a loop to clip my keys to. (I can’t be the only person who is forever losing her keys in her purse.)

The outer fabric is home dec weight with Pellon Craft Fuse interfacing backing it.  When seeing the purse completed, Andy said to me “You really like bright swirly flower fabric. Don’t you?”  Yes, love.  I do.  At least for my accessories.  The lining is a simple quilting cotton. I purchased the handle at Joann’s.

This pattern is the first I’ve made without a seam allowance. It made drafting the pattern easier, but it took more time in matching the seams.   It also required a HUGE number of pins around those curved edges, which I was constantly poking myself with.  This project literally has my sweat and blood in it.  (At least it only ended up on the interfacing and no one can see it. hehe)

So there you have it.  The Saucy Sack.