Sunday, November 4, 2012

Hearty Houndstooth Handbag

Who doesn't love alliteration? I've got a new bag to share with you. Well, not new. You've seen the design so any times, but I've never made two the same so I always like to show them (it also makes a nice visual reference to look back on to show how the same bag can look so different depending on the fabrics).

So you remember this bag that I wasn't crazy about? To be clear it was a fine bag, not a thing wrong with it--it just didn't have enough "me" to it. Plus the black on the brooch contrasted with the brown in a way that irked me. I found a beautiful leather flower brooch on eBay that matched better, put that one on, and donated it to the fundraiser being held for my friend's sick husband. Which leaves me again without a wintery bag, but got me an order for another houndstooth bag, this one in black and white. And a new home for the heart brooch.


Here's the kind of weird part. Both fabrics are houndstooth of the same scale. All of the details and measurements are the same. But I absolutely love this B&W one where I only liked the brown one as a friend. And that flash of red is just so perfect!


My instinct (as it almost always is) was to line it with red and white polka dots. I was told they were a no-no. You have to wonder about a person who doesn't love red polkies, eh? Kidding! A splash of red was deemed just fine and dandy. Joann's had exactly what I was looking for, and a few people even commented on how nice the differing patterns looked together.

In order to economize and save a zipper I pulled a little switcheroo. On the main zip, I took off the pull and replaced it with a larger one. I also had to make a matching cosmetic bag, so I used a long red zip on that. I then took the remaining bit that I had hacked off and attached the black pull to it--three zippers from two.

The one thing I did that I wasn't entirely sure about was that I did the zipper casing in black instead of the houndstooth as I normally would have done, thinking that the straps were in contrasting black so this would be good too. I'm not entirely sold on it, but I in no way disliked it enough to rip it out.


I started giving the straps more of a quilted look with extra rows of stitching--I really like the way it looks, especially on a contrasting strap. I was considering making another one of these for me, but then I was looking at my current handbag and how it's already too big for what I carry so what was I thinking making one for myself anyway?

I must now go lint-roll this bag, apparently. AGAIN. I've only done it 843 times already. Have a good week!

Linking here:
Under the Table and Dreaming*** Skip to My Lou *** Pinkapotamus *** Sew Can Do *** Craftomaniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** C.R.A.F.T. *** Today's Creative Blog*** Creative Itch Boutique *** Funky Polkadot Giraffe ***Chef in Training *** Tip Junkie *** My Girlish Whims *** Sew Much Ado *** Free Pretty Things for You *** JAQSStudio *** Tea Rose Home *** Someday Crafts*** Somewhat Simple *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom  *** Creation Corner *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love *** Sugar Pink Boutique *** Craftionary *** Family, Home and Life 

14 comments:

  1. I love this bag! I love the heart and the inner fabric. I'd love for you to share this at my link party Submarine Sunday. It's open until Friday @ 11:59pm. I hope you'll stop by!

    T'onna
    http://navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2012/11/submarine-sunday-5.html

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  2. Ooooh. I love the happy surprise lining! It's like biting in a Belgian chocolate to discover there's wonderful praline inside :-) Yes, I just compared your bag to a Belgian chocolate. Trust me, that is a huge compliment, haha. Love the details with the zippers. I still have an immense fear of zippers! Especially the on you made for closing the bag. What I wouldn't give for a proper tutorial for that.
    Have a great Monday!
    Esther.

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  3. Love it. And you are so right, that pop of red looks so great, both inside and out!

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  4. WOW!!!! I love it. Black and white looks so chic and the lining is gorgeous, what a nice surprise when the zipper is opened.

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  5. I agree the heart and the inner fabric really make this bag stand out and awesome!

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  6. I love this one more too, great job! Red is always perfect with black and white. =)

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  7. I'm so impressed! I would be so nervous to tackle a project like this! It looks amazing!

    Love,
    Sarah
    the Reverie blog

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  8. Just catching up on all my reading now I'm home, and this is the perfect place for the heart, much better than its brown cousin!

    Glad you escaped Sandy okay, and love the wee pirate :oD Great job on the blanket too

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  9. You know what I love about reading your bag-making posts? Checking out the pretty lining fabrics!

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  10. Love the shape of this bag! So cute and the lining fabric is right on:)
    Popping over from Wow Us Wednesday
    ~Heather

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  11. This is gorgeous! I just adore the fabric and the heart is lovely!
    Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo party.
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  12. This is a great bag. I love the lining also. Thanks so much for sharing at last Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party. This weeks party is live. The link to the party is
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/11/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-link_14.html
    Can't wait to see you there.
    Have a great week.
    Debi

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