I DID IT!

Well, shocking I know, but I actually made my bag right and it is awesome. It's better than I even dared to hope, and I LOVE it!

For those who may be interested in making this bag for themselves, the Pattern is: Professional Tote by The Creative Thimble. If you like bags, you surely won't be disappointed with this one. It's a lot of work to make, but well worth the time.

I really love everything about it, especially the drawstring end pockets that will easily carry our water bottles, and even pull tight enough to contain other stuff. It's a little larger than a purse, but certainly something I can carry every day with ease while on vacation.

I did follow all of the instructions and I have to say, many times I had to read them over and over before I fully understood what was meant. I did not make any changes to the actual construction of the bag, it is perfect just the way it is designed.

I did however make a few small adjustments to accommodate some of the things I know I will need in our travels.

One inside pocket was supposed to be pleated but I left it flat and that made the other pockets reach right to the seams. I didn't want the bulk I knew would come with being able to stuff a pleated pocket! lol

The pattern called for one small vinyl pocket for a business card; I instead added two of those and made them the size to fit a driver's license or credit card and then two more, the size to fit passports- these are all inside the middle zippered section for security.

I added an extra couple of hooks instead of just the one D ring called for; these can hang outside or go inside each respective pocket.

I added some beaded ribbon to cover the outside of the magnetic snap on the back side of the bag.

I added some grosgrain ribbon loops- one on each side and one front and back- they are big enough to loop a snap-on strap through to hold the bag firmly on my roller suitcase. Plus that gives me the option to lock the bag with either a split ring or a small lock by using the zipper and the loop together.

I am really happy with it and can't wait to try it out! What do you think?

My favourite books right now

Just thought I would share the books that I have been reading and using and loving just lately!

Patterns- and whether or not to follow them

Okay, I have to confess first off: I am notoriously bad at following patterns. I have a LOT of proof that supports that statement, believe me! lol I start off following, then either get bored or think I know what I am doing- and invariably, I end up doing something wrong. Most of the time I can make it work out alright, but sometimes that just isn't good enough.

So right now I have cut out pattern pieces for a bag I want to make and I HAVE to follow the pattern. It is a professional tote bag and I want to bring it on our trip to Italy this summer- so it has to be right.

Last summer we traveled to Portugal. It was my very first trip to Europe and my husband was quite insistent that we travel light, no checking luggage. We each had a carry-on roller suitcase and one personal item only, for a two-week trip. For the personal item, Rich brought his soft sided briefcase and I brought a backpack. The backpack was large, had a lot of pockets, and could be hung from my suitcase (although not well). My plan had been to use the backpack in lieu of a purse when needed and for things I would want during travel.

Bad plan. The bright pink and black backpack was too large to wear every day, flipped around on my suitcase, and though this is a small thing, didn't match anything I had to wear. Seeing as we traveled light, I wanted to get the most options out of a minimum amount of items- and all of my travel clothes are colour-coordinated in black, red, white, and tan.

Last fall a friend of mine posted a photo of a bag she had made for a friend of hers, and it occurred to me that a bag like that would be better suited for me for traveling. I kept a look out for fabrics I liked and bought them as I saw them. Mostly red and black of course- to match my clothes and also to keep from showing dirt.

I cut out all of the pieces yesterday and attached the appropriate ones to the Decor Bond, the fusible interfacing the pattern calls for. And that is as far as I have gotten. It would probably be best if I took the time to read through the instructions thoroughly before going any further, don't you think? lol

I figured if I committed myself to posting my progress online, I might be able to keep my wandering tendencies at bay, at least until I finish this bag. Personally, I think going outside of a pattern, exploring what you THINK might work rather than going with what you KNOW will, sometimes teaches you volumes more than you would learn otherwise, and also lends itself to opening your own creativity, which is so important.

But that being said; I really like this fabric and can't buy any more of it, and it's already February... so I think in this instance, I should really adhere to the given instructions. Maybe someday I will design a bag of my own. Oh. Then I would have to write instructions for someone else to blow off... lol