So I saw this pattern over at Sew, Mama Sew! It was free, and a gorgeous bag and I thought, “I’ve made a ton of tote bags, I’m sure I can handle this!”
Ummm, yeah- not so much.
This baby was a bear for me- mostly because I started with two fatal flaws- the fabric I chose was too heavy and the interfacing I used was fusible- so it was too stiff. I wrestled with this bag (and I do mean that literally- my hands and arms are still sore). I broke 4 needles on my sewing machine. I even had to sew with pliers to get the dividers bar tacked into the bag. And then, just as it was coming together, just as I was about to conquer this challenge- I realized that the snaps wouldn’t work as positioned. I’m not sure if I read the pattern wrong, or if they’re off a little. So I improvised. Say hello to the giant button and elastic hair band! Gah! At that point I was in it too far to go back, and I couldn’t scrap it- I had over $20 invested in all the interfacing, fabric and supplies (which is a steal, since if you paid full retail for all the required materials you’d be well over $40) that I couldn’t just walk away from.
So, even after all that- I LOVE THIS BAG!!! {tear} It’s beautiful. And I love the stiff, unyielding too thick fabric- your tangerine loveliness just makes me happy. And you gorgeous- not in the pattern- turquoise button- you are lovely and just the pop of color this mama loves! The dividers are awesome, it holds everything I want. The handles are sturdy and I can’t wait to take this baby out on the town and show her off. Just don’t look too closely if you spot her in public, she’s shy. 😉 Linking up to Tatertots and Jello weekend wrapup party and to Sew Much Ado’s We Did It Wednesday!
Kim's Treasures
January 14, 2011 at 5:29 pmI LOVE IT! I would never had known the button was an improvise! Love the turquoise w/orange! I've been loving orange lately!
Amy @ Increasingly Domestic
January 14, 2011 at 6:07 pmYUMMY! I love the fabrics and the colors! I would never guess that you had so much trouble with it.
Samantha
January 14, 2011 at 6:25 pmI LOVE it! The orange and turquoise is just perfect! I bet you will get tons of compliments when you take it out. I really like how the straps are – very unique and certainly do not look homemade!
Jenn-Lee at Moments
January 14, 2011 at 6:51 pmWow! I have many bag patterns and still have not had the guts to try them. You did awesome and kuddos to you for not quitting when it got hard. It is so pretty!!!
Charm Bracelet Diva
January 15, 2011 at 2:50 amThis bag is fabulous! I love the style as well as the fabric choice! Visiting from TT&J.
ellie g
January 15, 2011 at 3:04 amFABULOUS!!! Seriously Amy. I LOOOOOVE it! And you'll love it even more, knowing that it owns a bit of your (and your sewing machine's) soul. Right?
The fabric is fab. And I don't know what the original pattern was, but turquoise button and hair band are callin' my name.
Pretend you IMPROVED on an Amy Butler pattern. YOU DID!
Love! Carry that sucker with PRIDE!!
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
January 15, 2011 at 5:14 amI for one LOVE that big button. I never would have guessed that it wasn't supposed to be there. The orange color is awesome, too. Really incredible bag, Amy. I can't help but laugh at your story, though, cause stuff like that happens to me all the time. At least we can laugh about it after the fact:)
Trisha @ The Sweet Survival
January 15, 2011 at 2:40 pmI love this bag! Your struggles were worth it!!
Autum
January 15, 2011 at 8:42 pmWow, I love your bag. Sorry to hear it was such a bear to make. I really need a new purse. Do you think using quilting weight cotton and a lighter weight interfacing would make it less difficult? I'd love to try the pattern, but am not really up for a wrestling match : )
Amie
January 16, 2011 at 3:58 amI wanted to make this same bag but I was too daunted by it. Glad to see it's doable! (even with some difficulties!)
Amie @ http://www.kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/
AllieMakes!
January 16, 2011 at 5:45 amI think you did an amazing job! SO great!
You should come link this up to my weekly Thursday through Sunday Making It With Allie Link Party! I think it would make a Fabulous addition!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
The Tootsie Wootsie
January 17, 2011 at 5:24 amThis is so cute!
Please come by and link this to my party!
http://WWW.TOOTSIEWOOTSIEBOUTIQUE.BLOGSPOT.COM
And i have a great Giveaway going one for ITHINKSEW.COM! They have BAGS too 🙂
-THE TOOTSIE WOOTSIE 🙂
Wendy@Craft Goodies
January 17, 2011 at 6:06 amGirl! Seriously amazing, I'd be more than proud to tote that baby around. Thanks for sharing it-
Wendy
Wendy@Craft Goodies
January 17, 2011 at 7:17 amOH! I'm featuring this on my Tuesday Treats post! Stop by and grab a button-
Wendy
http://www.wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com
A Girl
January 19, 2011 at 3:13 amYour bag is beautiful! and don't worry she is no wallflower wear her with pride.
Please, link her up to my Sew Fabulous Friday party and show her off. Great job!
agirlinparadise.blogspot.com
Christina A-BEAR
January 19, 2011 at 6:43 amOh my! That bag is ADORABLE, and seriously the button completes it!
Im impressed. Sorry you had to wrestle it!
Hopped over From Sew Much Ado Linky Party!
http://accomplishingmotherhood.blogspot.com
Naturally Carol
January 19, 2011 at 7:04 amLove the bag..colour and all…I do appreciate the time and effort that went into it…I baulk just after reading the patterns for bags..they are so involved! Well done.
PootleFlump
January 19, 2011 at 8:24 amwow, thats lovely! x
[email protected]
January 19, 2011 at 1:22 pmlove the fabric and really enjoyed the honesty of your description of how tough it ended up being to put together!
Tricia
January 19, 2011 at 3:31 pmIt turned out great. I have the bag cut out, only to realize that my printer didn't print it out to scale. Now I have to manage to resize it, and I'm not quite sure that I want to deal with tacking the dividers in place. Mine might be dividerless. Thanks for sharing.
Annie
January 20, 2011 at 12:31 amI've looked at that pattern and I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle it! Great job!!!!
AllieMakes!
January 24, 2011 at 2:56 amI do Love this bag! Great job!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Daisy
January 26, 2011 at 2:16 pmYou did a fabulous job! I've got the book that includes this pattern and have drooled over it for weeks. You picked the perfect fabric and button color! Congratulations, carry her with pride!
Wendy
January 26, 2011 at 2:16 pmWell done for persevering, it's a gorgeous bag and looks very well made to me. People will be jealous!
CraftyCripple
January 26, 2011 at 2:16 pmFabulous bag. I love the fabric choices. I really wanted to make this pattern when I saw it on Sew, Mama, Sew too. You've done a great job. Not sure if I dare try it now…..
Katri
January 27, 2011 at 1:47 pmABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!
http://katrihakes.blogspot.com
Leisha
January 27, 2011 at 7:57 pmI made this bag and had the same snap not matching up problem, more a flap too big to fit inbetween the handles problem, I must say. It was a bear to finish the dividers, and I wanted a zipper in there somewhere so I add a zip to one of the dividers. I still love the bag and yours is beautifully orange!
HOMEmomMADE
April 1, 2011 at 5:55 pmi love amy butler, great job!
Feel free to stop by and link up to my Make & Share 1st edition today and come back every friday thru saturday!
~ Christy
Ricochet
July 29, 2011 at 1:54 pmLOL! I've made 4 of those blossom bags and have had similar problems with breaking needles and snaps not matching up! I would like to see an actual sewing machine that could tack through that much fabrinc and interfacing! However, it is a honey of a handbag and I'll probably end up making many more….
Thanks for the funny post!
Rikka J.
Ricochet and Away!
btw, I'm happy to be your newest follower!