Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Project Paisley

As promised in my previous post, I'm proud to share my first project of 2011 today.  Woo!  It's also the very first sewing post on Welcome Sunshine Home and it's been a long time coming.

After sewing gifts for others in 2010, I made myself a purse shortly after the holidays.  I love the clean and simple lines of the exterior.  It's a shoulder bag and the strap lengths are just.  I can't 'do' handbags because I'll set it down in a store and leave it behind (aka Jake would get stuck holding it!).


I can't think of anything else I own that is paisley.  I liked all the fun colors.  I purchased the fabrics and sewing pattern at Joanns a couple months ago.  I didn't worry about matching the fabric pattern up at any seams because I had just enough fabric to cut the all the pieces.  The pattern is busy so they blend in.


I had some fun with the interior.  I thought orange would be a cheerful punch of color during the long winter months.




My new Windows smartphone was my motivation to finish this project quickly.  I needed a better way to carry it around.



All my girl junk has been rolling around in my laptop bag's big pocket and my coat pockets for months.  Simply annoying.
Phone, post-it list pad, pocket planner, lotion, breath mints, hand sanitizer, water, my old pink camera, fleece gloves, click pencils, pen, Netflix, spearmint lip gloss, mint lip balm (no shine), peppermint lip balm (favorite for years), cash (this is rare for me), debit card, credit card, and driver's license.


I altered the pattern a bit to customize the pockets for my junk.  Everything in it's place.  Ahhh.  :)


My favorite one is the contrast (aka easy to find) lip gloss pocket that I added.

I was going for speed so I didn't take any photos of the work in progress.  It has simple magnetic closure.


It's hard to see with this fabric but the bottom is gathered.   Don't mind the dog hair...notice their legs in the top right of the photo?

The purse even coordinates with my new emerald green jacket (in treeline).  Happy accident!  It's hard to capture the green properly in winter's harsh lighting.  It's deeper than this photo...

It's nothing fancy but it's done and it's exactly what I need.


I hope you like it too!  I'll update this post later with the sewing pattern info if you're interested.  This is a simple project that'd be a great for beginners to build sewing confidence.

UPDATE: Here's the pattern info for the shoulder bag and a photo from the pattern's packaging.  The bag's overall shape and the gathering on the bottom is easier to see.
See & Sew
B5449


Have you marked anything off your 2011 to-do list lately?  I'd love to hear about it.



Click here to see some of the parties I'll be mingling at this week.

27 comments:

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said... [Reply to comment]

Love the fabric,with all of the colors it will go with most anything.The only thing I have marked of my 2011 list is getting 2010's Christmas decor down! HA!

Annie said... [Reply to comment]

I love it! You may have inspired me to make one of my own..too much in the bottom of my purse!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

It looks wonderful! I need something with pockets like that to keep all my crap organized. lol! I love the orange on the inside too, love when you can get a pop of color like that.

Kallee Anne said... [Reply to comment]

Great job! This is so cute. I NEED a new purse. Maybe I should just make one so I can get what I need


Found you from welcome wednesday. I am your newest follower. I would love to have you follow back! creativesouthernhome.blogspot.com

The Loops said... [Reply to comment]

I'm your newest follower from wandering wednesday. I'd love for you to follow me back!

http://theloops13.blogspot.com

Aimee @ Explore, Learn, Have Fun! said... [Reply to comment]

LOVE it!! Wish I could sew like that! Your fabric choices are really lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us!! : )
Aimee @ justkiddingaroundatlanta.blogspot.com

Tanya (a Taste of T) said... [Reply to comment]

What a cute bag! I love it!

<3, New Follower

Always Kara said... [Reply to comment]

Very cute! I love all the pockets. If I don't have pockets I have clutter! New follower through Traveling Through Thursday! http://www.sahmandusmcwife.blogspot.com

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I really like that bag, and it looks practical, too, rather than some you buy in shops that are just useless because you either struggle to open them in a hurry, or they don't have enough room for our bits and pieces.

I have a paisley bag similar to yours, but the colours are quite as nice as yours are.

CJ xx

Chubskulit Rose said... [Reply to comment]

That's pretty. Visiting from the bloghop, I am already a follower. Come visit when you have time.

Laura said... [Reply to comment]

Following you from Buzz On By Thursday:)

Laura
www.agoddessoffrugality.blogspot.com

Yona Williams said... [Reply to comment]

VERY cool! I love purses with lots of compartments. I also have tons of miscellaneous things in my purse - from a screwdriver set to a wine bottle opener.

Im a new Google Connect Friend following you from Buzz On By Thursday Blog Hop! Love if you'd follow me back.

Yona Writes
http://artpark78.com/blog1

Tiffany said... [Reply to comment]

Hi I'm visiting from the hop. I'd love for you to return the follow at www.hislittlemrs.com

Amy said... [Reply to comment]

That is a super cute purse! I love that it matches your jacket. Isn't it neat when things work out like that? As for the dog hair we have four large dogs who cohabit with us and Little Bit so fur is always part of my wardrobe ;D The organizer in my squealed in delight at how all your goodies fit so nicely in your new purse. Great job!!

I am a new follower from Boost My Blog Friday. I hope you will have a chance to come and check out my blog at http://socialstudiesmomma.blogspot.com/
Have a blessed weekend!

Katie said... [Reply to comment]

Thank you for linking up to Sew Woodsy! Love all the pockets to keep you organized!!!

Tammilee said... [Reply to comment]

Hi
I am a new follower from the blog hop
I blog at www.tammileetips.com
I hope you will stop by
Tammilee

Aisling said... [Reply to comment]

Can never have too many bag patterns, that's what I say, please do share the pattern.

The Preppy Student said... [Reply to comment]

WOW!
can you make me one!
I need those pockets in my bags, they came out great and are so useful!

Donna said... [Reply to comment]

Very nice! I really like all of the pockets. I'm a new follower from Blog Hop Skip & Jump Wednesday.

Donna
http://potofgoldgiveaways.blogspot.com/

Quirky Homemaker said... [Reply to comment]

Turned out very cute! I posted a pic of "stuff" from my purse today too! LOL Following from the Wed. blog hop.
Michelle
http://www.heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com

Marian said... [Reply to comment]

cute bag! I hopped over from paisley passions, happy to be a follower now!
marian
perfectchancememories.com

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

what an awesome job on this purse!! Love it! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings!

Leanne said... [Reply to comment]

You did a great job. I love all the pockets, especially the lip gloss pocket you added. Thanks for linking to We're Organized Wednesday.

Rachel said... [Reply to comment]

Great job. I only need like a hundred of those in lots of colors and patterns.. ok maybe 10 will do :) Really great idea. Thanks for sharing your victory of "girl clutter"

Found you at the link up party We're Organized Wed.

Have a great day!

Holly Lefevre said... [Reply to comment]

Great fabric and I love how organized it is. Nice job!

AllieMakes! said... [Reply to comment]

Very sweet! I love that paisley fabric! And ALL the pockets!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

Neoma said... [Reply to comment]

What a great bag! I love it with all the pockets too! And thanks for sharing the pattern, I'd never heard of Butterick before.

I've just some small "to do's" on my list for 2011 but I've a Crafty Challenge to do, only ONE enter left! Check it out: http://neomasfrestelser.blogspot.com/2011/01/utmaning.html

I'm a follower of your blog!
/Mari

So, what do you think? Don't be shy...we're all friends here. :) We love hearing from you and read every note you leave us!

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