The perfect weeknight project

I was on Etsy looking for some Alexander Henry fabric that I am in love with right now, when I found a few buttercup handbags made in the same fabric. The handbags looked so cute, I had to have the pattern. Lucky for me it was a downloadable pattern over at Rae's. Thanks Rae!!

Stepped out immediately to buy some fabric. I thought it best to use a thick fabric to ensure the bag had some body and wasn't too floppy. The home decor section at Joann worked out perfectly. Got back home at 8:00 PM and was done making the bag by 11:15 PM. Now that's instant gratification! (in the world of sewing :) )

 

I used pink ambiance I had at hand for the lining, complete with a pocket and magnetic snap to hold the bag closed.

I used topstitching thread in a green. It pops perfectly against the blue.

 

 This was my first attempt at making a handbag of any kind and I am pleasantly surprised by how fast and well the project went. Thanks again Rae. I am sure I will be making more of these over the years.

I have discovered online fabric shopping...

...somebody take away my credit cards please.

Jokes apart, this has been such a fun discovery. Up until now, I have been a 'buy the fabric required for the current project' kinda gal. Only exception being the fabrics I bought in Montmartre during our Paris trip. But I think I am sewing often enough now to start building a stash. And here are my picks so far,

The five pieces above are from Fabric Mart. The blue rayon challis has been made into a pretty Rebecca Taylor V1152 dress. Hopefully, I can take some pictures in daylight this weekend and post those soon.

The abstract chiffon will probably turn into DKNY V1160. I can hold off on this for a little while, I guess. We are past leggings weather here in California.

The only goal for the polka dot cotton lawn is to make it not look like Julia Roberts' Pretty Woman dress. Brown polka dots seem stuck with that image. :)

The next batch was bought from Mood,

Lot of ponte knits there, bought for color blocked tops. I haven't decided a pattern for this yet. I am leaning towards drafting a pattern myself.

The only one I am not happy about, a black tafetta purchase. But my fault entirely. I should have realized I have no use for such a crisp and shiny fabric. But I fell for how pretty it looks! I wonder if online fabric stores allow return.

The loveliest though is this silk brocade from  Fabric Mart. Believe me that picture doesn't do it any justice.

Now if only I knew the perfect pattern for it! Any suggestions?



And in other news, the sweet sister visited and came bearing gifts :)

That's it for tonight. I hope to post about my completed projects soon.