Paris, Pleats, and Pleather

A few years ago I made myself this bag for fall. I made it out of fabric I got at Walmart, have used it every fall since I made it, and it still looks as good as the day I stitched it (which makes me question the whole cheap fabric/designer fabric quality issue...). It was my favorite handbag I've ever used--perfect size, perfect fit on my arm, easy to get into, and it looks pretty cute. A few weeks ago I went to Fabric Row with my sister and scored a great Paris-scripty print. I didn't know what it would be, but then my my mind tended towards a bag (as it usually does). The other night I had nothing pressing to do, so I made the bag into the same pattern as my favorite fall bag. It's very different from what I usually tend to carry (I'm more of a color-fiend), but I love this bag (and it's good to step out of one's comfort zone).

The print was great for a larger, simple bag, but the pleats give it just the right touch to make it not so plain.

I was flummoxed as to what I would line this with as I don't like sewing with plain black, but one of you suggested a black and cream polka dot print. I crossed my fingers, searched my favorite online shops, and found the perfect dotty print for this. Again, the black keeps it demure and simple but the dots kick it up just a notch.

The outside fabric is a light home dec weight, and the inside is regular quilting cotton (but it feels different, almost silky, so I think it would be a great garment fabric as well). I used a mag snap as a closure and stitched it in so it would stay put:

On the version I made of this a few years ago, I used these inexpensive faux-leather handles I bought at Joann's. They didn't last long, as the weight of the bag (and I don't even carry much) pulled it apart. So I made my own braided handles to match the originals. For this bag, however, I bought some faux-leather handles on eBay. I wanted real leather, but couldn't find anything that seemed long enough or wide enough. I've never used these before so hand-stitching them in was...interesting.... The outside looks nice and swish but the inside isn't the neatest (and as when I looked for tips on how to do this I couldn't find anything that had pics of the interior I'm wondering if it's just a "thing" with handles like these--if any of you have any tips/links on how to get the inside nice and purdy please share in the comments). But it matches enough that I don't care at all. They're on there nice and secure as I made many trips through the holes with tapestry thread.

I could probably figure a way to do this on my machine, and I would most likely invest the time if I was making one of these for someone else. But as I don't mind little design 'features' in things I make for me this will be fine. It's ready to be filled with my junk and toted around town. When I change my bag for a new season I always feel that it should be a sign unto Mother Nature that I'm ready for a new season, so hopefully she takes note of my new handbag and lets the cooler temps stick around.

I'm off to watch a football game at my brother's house! Well, other people may be watching the game while I knit but it'll be on in the background and that's just about all the football I care to "watch." Have a lovely Sunday! OH! The book giveaway ends on Tuesday, so if you'd like to score a lovely read, check out my review and the giveaway details here.

I'll be linking up here:

Sundays: Sunday Showcase, Think Pink Sunday,  Submarine Sunday

Monday: CraftOManiac Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Market Yourself Monday, Made By You Mondays, 

Tuesdays: Take-a-Look Tuesday, Show Me What Ya Got, Homework

Wednesdays: Your Whims Wednesday, We did it Wednesday, Whatever Goes Wednesday

Thursdays:  Catch a Glimpse, Craftionary

Friday: Link Party Palooza, Frugal Friday, Weekend Bloggy Reading

Saturdays: Show and Tell Saturdays