Indigo Block Print Denim Bag

Hello, 

Alhamdulillah for a busy January. If you follow me in Instagram, you may noticed that I won't be taking custom orders this month. I like to take a break from custom orders from time to time to give myself a room for new ideas. I have a long list of sewing wishlist and one of them is this Luisa Crossbody bag. A pattern by Sotak Handmade. 

Beautiful Indigo Block Print

I wanted to make with Indigo blue fabrics and took out those three fabrics above. All are just beautiful and it was difficult for me to decide which one to work with first. After asking a few friends, we decided this middle indigo print would be the one and I loved how this turned out. I used dark blue denim as an accent fabric and decided to use ready made PU Leather strap. 

Denim & Block Print Bag

If you've been waiting to make this bag, you really should go ahead. I love the simplicity of Sotak Pattern and as usual it's always thoroughly written. 

Exterior Back Pocket

I made one change with the back exterior. The original pattern, it was two pockets but I found it's too small since I want to keep my phone in it. So I skipped the middle stitch and instead using the snap button to secure the pocket. In the pattern, the rivet was added for decorative purpose only. Now I have spacious exterior pocket for my phone!! Perfect!

Spacious Inside

The interior is very minimalist (which I love!) . The pattern called for interlining, in addition of the interfacing. I used a stiff fleece batting which I mostly used for bags nowadays and the result is sturdy bag that  can stand on its own but the interior is a bit snug. In a way it's good for me since it's quite padded. It's good to carry my camera.  

  

I think I'm quite organized and minimalist here lol. Those are the things that I usually carry everyday. The Doitrei Zipper Pouch is for my power bank, charging cable and headphone. The Zipper Tissue Pouch is for my tissue, lip balm, hand lotion and medicines (my anti allergy and indigestion tablets). Wet tissue packet, notebook and pen, small wallet and a mobile phone. I also keep small chocolates and sweets in the front pocket lol.

So that's my review of my first Luisa bag. I want to make a few more and trying different combination of interfacing/interlining. So excited!! 

Thank you for dropping by!

~ Elvira ~

Linky Party: 

Handmade Monday
The Thursday Favorite Things

Show Off Saturday
From Bolt to Beauty

Sewing with friends is FUN

Yes, it's lots of FUN cos you can always learn something new! 

Namrata of Bagstock {psst..she just opened her ETSY shop, go and take a look at her awesome bags!! }  and myself have been planning a bag sew-along since last year. Finally the chance came up after she told me about the new tote pattern from Bluecalla Pattern , the moonflower tote. 

In the beginning I was not sure whether to try it or not, but she convinced me that I should try and I can do it. After 2 days I decided to go ahead and buy the pattern, before the sale price ended ;)

and as it happened, my new handwoven fabric stock just arrived from the suppliers 

The fabric came with patchwork  border which just perfect for the moon  applique part. And even the orange patch is just the right size for the side pockets.

I used the bright orange cotton for the lining and used it as accent fabrics for the handle. 

the bag is very spacious. It has 2 interior pockets, one zipper and one slip halfmoon pocket which is very cute. 

This is just perfect for you, who like to carry around la lot  of things. The side pocket is perfect to carry your water bottle. Isn't it?

Namrata convinced me to try the zipper closure instead of the magnetic snap the pattern suggested. With her guidance and read THIS tutorial from Ikat Bag, I did it! Yay! 

if you are beginner bag maker and want to try this pattern, don't hesitate. Celine wrote a clear well written pattern with step by step pictures and included tips and tricks and even highlighted few important points. 

Absolutely agree with the quote!!

Thank you once again Namrata, we should do sew-along again soon-ish ;)

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Necessary Clutch Wallet

I have been searching for accordion wallet pattern and my dear friend, Namrata from Bagstock told me about the NCW and she encouraged me to try. She even added me to the NCW addict group on facebook.  After few months of watching all the ladies in the group making beautiful NCWs finally I printed out the pattern and started making one. 

The wallet is spacious, you can fit it up to 12 cards, and there is one slip pocket behind each card slot.

I added another zip pocket there and d-rings for the detachable strap. I made 1 long strap and 1 short lanyard. 

 

The middle part is my favorite cos you can put your mobile phone there. 

So, no more carrying your big purse when you go out for a little errand or just going for a short lunch break. 

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Some adjustment that I made : 

#1. The Flap 

I attached the border to the exterior flap panel by sewing the inner border to the exterior panel first. Then baste stitch the outer border to exterior before sew it together with the lining flap. That way I get a good finish of the flap and since I used magnetic snap, it gave a better finish of the front esp. if you are using magnetic snap. No more worries maneuvering around the snap ;) 

#2 . The wallet body lining, I use buckram in the middle part and use fusible woven interfacing in the oval part. That way, it's easier on my machine since it's less bulky. And before turning I add a piece of flannel as batting in the middle part. That give a stiff but soft finish to the wallet. The wallet feels for firm.  (sorry forgot to take pics here).

#3. Added second zipper pouch based on tutorial by Jean on her YouTube channel.

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 I used my pinking scissor to trip the flap or any curvy sides. It's easier and faster plus gives a better finish 

So, if you've been thinking to give the NCW a try, go ahead. It's fun to make and with all the tutorials and group support, you don't have to worry about anything else:)

Get the pattern at : Emmaline Bags

and the fabrics at Chezvies Supplies

or if you'd rather to buy the finish wallet, you can head to my ETSY shop. I can make in any fabric you want.

Until then,

Happy Sewing