Tuesday 5 June 2012

Pixie Bag

Well, what a day I've had!  It was a bank holiday here in Blighty and I spent it the traditional way, doing DIY.  And not the fun sewing/crocheting/making stuff DIY, no, this was hardcore sanding and painting.  We're in the middle of doing up the bathroom, which means I really have to get a move on with sewing the bathroom curtains.

So did I sew the bathroom curtains on Sunday when I had a day of sewing?  Erm, no.  I sewed a bag. 

This is my first entry into the Purse Palooza.  Hopefully it won't be my last entry, but having written a quick list of stuff I have to do in June, it might be.  It won't be my first entry, so I might not be entering at all.  I just discovereed that the bags have to be made after June the 4th, not June 1st so I've withdrawn it.

I took this metre of Kate Spains Fandango, bought for a song at the Craft Fair from Abakhan...

...added a metre of Verna by Kate Spain, also bought at the craft fair and also for a song, and the pattern for the Pixie Bag from Michelle's Patterns (I tried to link the pattern, but it must be discontinued.  I did buy it cheaply in the sale she had - edited to add, the lovely Rosa found the link for me!  If you want to make this bag, the pattern can be bought here) and made this:


I'm madly, passionately in love with it.  But it's not for me.



I made it with a friend in mind.  She's a very good friend and is always there for me and I wanted to say thank you.  Having said that, that wouldn't have stopped me from keeping it!  The reason I'm parting with it is it's far too small for my needs and anyway, I just made myself a bag!



It has a little pocket in the back, I'd never come across this construction for a pocket before.



And it's closed with a magnetic snap.  The pattern was brilliant, really good and so easy to follow.  I did, however, ignore her instructions for making the straps and made them my way.  I really do hate the fold, fold, sew way of making straps.  I think I might have mentioned that before...



In fact, my only gripe with the pattern is that she kept referring me to her blog for tips on various things, such as darts.  Hmmm, I'm upstairs sewings, I'm not going to go down two flights of stairs, power up the computer and head to her website half way through sewing a bag... 


Despite that little niggle, I'd definitely recommend Michelle's Patterns (much prefered the name Keyka Lou, so much more original and memorable!) as I know most of blogland would too.

Stay tuned for some "exciting" photos of my bathroom and possibly more bags this month!


**disclaimer: the photos of my bathroom WILL NOT be exciting or even mildly interesting.



20 comments:

Sandra :) said...

That's a great bag - the fabrics are luscious! I have to admit, I too prefer the Keyka Lou name - it just has more ... zest and zing to it (sorry Michelle!) :D

What were you using to look at the pattern - aren't they all in pdf format? Did you print it out? I remember the days of running from the basement to the desktop computer (upstairs) when I was sewing - then along came laptops, and for a while I carried my laptop wherever I needed it in the house :D Now I keep my tablet @ the sewing machine - sooooooooooo handy :D

JoJo said...

Awesome bag! Very ambitious.

Celtic Thistle said...

Great bag for a weekend of bathroom redecorating! I agree Keyka Lou is much more memorable. Would be seriously peeved if I had to keep referring to a website in the middle of sewing and my machine and laptop are in the same room!

Fiona said...

Gorgeous bag.... love the colours and the style.... am I the friend you were talking about... I am arent I???

Hugz

Pam @Threading My Way said...

Love, love, love the fabric, Wendy!!!! A beautiful bag... your friend is very lucky!!

The Sunflower Patch said...

Love the fabrics you chose for this lovely bag! Thank you for the link,I just might have to join the party :)

Rosa said...

Wendy - I'm not into bags but this is LOVELY!
In fact it is so lovely that I hunted down a link to the bag and where it can be (instant) downloaded!!

http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/pixie-handbag-pdf-sewing-pattern.html
(she has a group of old patterns)

Your recommendation of the pattern make me think that I can do it, so it is now on my pc :-)

If I mess it up you must open a 24/7 hotline!

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog said...

Oh my gosh, how I wish I could sew like that. I have total handmade bag envy right now! Love it. And Happy Jubilee to the Queen! Flotilla is my new favorite word. :)
Karah

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

What a darling bag - I especially LOVE the fabric! Stopping by from Someday Crafts.

Jess_LyMi said...

Very cute bag and I really like the fabric. I can't wait to be able to make pockets in things when I sew. I'm a novice and I just learned how to line my tote bags! Love your bag. :)

Jess
http://thedelightfulcrafter.blogspot.com

Casey said...

That's such a great looking bag!

Anonymous said...

The bag turned out beautiful. I really like the fabric you used.

mdgtjulie said...

What a really cool bag. I love it!!

Anonymous said...

I love the fabric you choose and the bag is wonderful i really should have another go at making a bag but i can never find any material i like in local shops and i hate waiting for things to arrive in the post!

i just found you email so just sent you a chart, hope its ok

Bev

Elisabeth Andrée said...

The bag is gorgeous, everything is lovely about it. You are GOOD!

Crafty Brooklyn Army Wife said...

Very cute bag!! I'm sure your friend will love it.

Stopping by from It's a Hodge Podge Life linky party. Here is what I shared: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.ca/2012/06/kids-roll-up-nap-blanket.html

Amy said...

I love this bag! The pattern is beautiful! You did a great job. :)I am a new follower.

Miss Beau Jangles said...

I LOVE this bag, thank you for leading me to Michelle's patterns, I love them!

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

What a great bag! I love the fabric!

Thanks for linking up with me for Friday Favorites. I'm featuring you this week. Come by and grab my featured button if you'd like one.

Ana Love Craft said...

Awesome bag! I love the fabric you used!Thanks so much for sharing. Would love to have you visit my blog sometime.
Have a fabulous day!
Hugs from Portugal,

Ana Love Craft
www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com