…it’s Prada!
(One of my favourite lines from the movie, White Chicks!)
So I’ve been a little obsessed with a handbag. Not just any handbag, a handmade handbag and it’s no ordinary bag, it’s a whack load of hard work. I spent two weeks working on this “Cosmo” Bag by Amy Butler.
It took me a lot longer than expected to complete this project for three reasons. First of all, I was re-purposing the leftover baby slings from my former business. I had to wash, cut, sew and press my material before tracing the pattern out. The width of my scraps was not wide enough for the main panels of the bag, therefore I pieced the material together and folded along the seam.
Secondly, I’m terrible at reading patterns and finally, my sewing skills are actually quite poor. I can sew straight lines very well but curves and edge or top stitching are not my forte and as you can see, the handbag has a few curves.
The pattern for the Cosmo bag is from Amy Butler’s Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags. This very practical and simple looking bag is what drew me to the pattern book in the first place. I’m pretty sure this is the most popular pattern in the book seeing as it’s on the cover! Overall, the instructions were fairly easy to follow - I still like the book and consider it a great investment if you like to sew your own unique bags.
I love my Cosmo bag! It’s big and roomy with a lot of pockets. The inside is fully lined and with the ample amount of interfacing required, the bag has nice structure and a sturdy feel.
I ran out of chocolate brown fabric for the inside pocket panels. Feeling a bit lazy, I decided to use the print fabric for the pockets instead of cutting up more slings.
I really want to keep this bag for myself. I’ve been delaying boxing the bag away because I keep thinking of reasons why I should keep it…
It was a lot of work
It’s my first handmade bag
I love the colours
I could use a new diaper bag
It’s much nicer than the big ugly backpack that I’m currently using
Oh I could go on but the fact is, I did make a resolution that I would try to give meaningful handmade gifts to celebrate birthdays. So my cute Cosmo Bag will be wrapped up today and prepared for shipping across the country. It will probably arrive a day or two late for my little sister’s birthday but I think she’ll understand.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Shani, you amazing me! This is a gorgeous bag and I wish I had a “jeah jeah” to make me one too! I love your blog and am constantly amazed at your projects.
this is gorgeous Shani. you should definitely keep it!!!! what a work of art!
Thanks Ange! I might make myself one out of the “Isabella” slings. If you want to try making the bag, you know where to find the pattern! We could trace it out on butcher’s paper or something like that.
Thank you Ankie for your lovely comment:-) My sister knows how to sew too and she’s made some cool clothes for herself but unlike myself, she works full-time. No kids though. At least I know she will appreciate my hard work!
I love your bag. I’m a terrible seamstress so I’m quite in awe of this. Your sister should be really happy.
I TOTALLY love the bag! its awesome, just brought it to work today… theres so many pockets on the inside, good for my work pass, keys.. the million things I carry to work… AND its really spacious! Thanks Shani =) plus, the brown matches my jacket and brown boots. Bah.. winter will never be over in Ottawa!
absolutely love the bag, lucky liane! how very creative of you to re-use your old fabric and re-purpose it. i was trying to quilt a while ago, made a very shoddy one out of old clothes. haha…love to hear your stories, keep them coming!
hope you and the family are well.
@caro - you should totally get back into quilting. It’s a good kind of stress:-)
Really beautiful job. Love the fabrics!!
Love the bag…I also love your fabric flowers!
What’s the name if the fabric? Is it AB’s?
Lynn - Thank you! The fabric was from my former business. It was sourced by my manufacturer so I’m not sure what the brand or name is. Basically I re-purposed my baby slings and turned them into the Amy Butler Bags.
{ 3 trackbacks }