My Very First Bag

Wanna see the very first bag I sewed? I had been sewing for a few months and really wanted to make something out of this adorable cowboy fabric I had seen at my local craft store. It took what felt like forever to put together, and I had to sew the lining to the bag three times (because I didn't know where the handles were supposed to go so I kept sewing them in-between the lining and the exterior), but I got it. I've used this bag for over four years now--I lug my lunch, water, current read, etc. to work in it.  It's finally starting to look a little worse for wear...

I used a bandana for the red bits and felt like a genius for doing so. The little cowboys and girls have that wonderful vintage look that I love. I'm keeping this forever and am going to use it to hold my other firsts that are beyond practical usage but very nice for purposes of nostalgia.

It's still completely usable but it is looking a little bit grungy...especially since the red bandana got wet at some point or another and bled everywhere.

This weekend I made myself a new one, and I'm starting the tutorial for it as soon as I publish this post. It's the tutorial I mentioned in this post on how to do an inset bottom (it gives your bag a flat bottom but not by doing it this way or this way). I'll have it up for you this weekend :) Here's a sneak-peek of the finished product--I used a more...mature fabric this time.

I used four fat quarters for the outside and the straps (with a bit left over) and a half yard for the inside and straps (with none left over). I also used about a half yard of fusible fleece, and a piece of plastic canvas to give the bag a rigid bottom (that part is optional). Come back Sunday for the complete how-to!