The Laurie Bag

In early September I posted about my plans for making a 12-piece wardrobe and several other items I wanted to sew to add to my wardrobe.  It seems like if I voice what I intend to do, something will inevitably pop up to throw a monkey wrench into my plans.  This time was no exception.  I have been having medical issues ever since I wrote that post.  I am doing better, so I hope my plans will still come to fruition.

A few days ago, I decided to make a small project to try to get back into the habit of sewing.  I promised a friend of mine I would make her a small bag that would hold the essentials.  It was time to make good that promise.  I found all the supplies I needed in my stash or maybe I should say I found them in my “resource center”.  I understand that is the new term to describe all the fabric and supplies most of us have collected over our years of sewing.

I designed the bag as I worked on it.  I used my cell phone to determine the size.  I made the bag a little larger than needed to accommodate my phone because I am not sure what size my friend’s phone is.  The finished size is approximately 9 ½ inches wide and 7 inches tall.  It has two separate sections, both closed with zippers.  The front section will hold a cell phone and a few other essentials such as car keys.  It also has a small pocket and two spaces to insert a ball point pen.  The back section has a divided insert that will hold a driver’s license and some credit cards.  There is room in front of the divider for paper money.

I made the purse from a piece of fabric I purchased from Zinck’s Fabrics in Ligonier, Indiana a while ago with the intention of someday making a purse with it.  It is sturdy and will hold the shape.  The color is black, which will make it a good, basic bag.  I added some decorative stitches using a variegated color thread on the front of the bag to add a splash of color.  The bag is lined with a fabric of those same colors.

Pictures of the finished bag are shown below.

 

 

I think I will call this bag “The Laurie Bag” in honor of the person for whom it was created.  I like the pattern and will probably make a couple for myself.  Thanks, Laurie, for giving me the idea and reason to create this bag.

I hope all of you will make something fun to add to your fall wardrobe.  Maybe you could try one of these small, simple bags.  They are great to take shopping because you won’t be weighed down with all that extraneous stuff that most of us carry in larger purses.  Just keep it simple!

Judy