Brooklyn and Bag Love

Here is my finished ‘sneak peak’ from Monday’s post. I am in love with it.  I want to keep it!  The creative process is a funny one. I was asked to donate something for my daughter’s school auction and was thrilled to be asked! After spending some time thinking about it and deciding what to make, I discovered I had sewer’s block (is that such a thing?).  Sewer’s block for this project at least. I couldn’t get downstairs to work on it. I felt overwhelmed as I knew I had to make something. I thought of several other projects to make for myself or my children and did so. Finally, this past weekend I told myself that I must GET. ON. IT. After sitting downstairs in my workspace for a little while, and then suddenly realizing the area needed a good cleaning, I finally cut out the fabric and started sewing the quilted strips. Everything flowed and I started to get into it and thought, why did I wait to make this bag? I fully enjoyed the process and am thrilled with how it turned out!  I hope it brings in some money for the school auction.

One thing that helped me get my mojo back was listening to a book on CD. Do you ever ‘read’ that way? I had been wanting to read Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (book here) and discovered it in CD form. It was such a great book!  It’s about a girl from Ireland who comes to Brooklyn for work and it takes place in the 1950’s. She is very strong but young and makes choices, and, well, you decide if they are the right ones. I can’t wait to see the movie now.

(interior of bag with zippered pocket)

The bag that I made is the Market Bag by Anna Graham, from her new book “Handmade Style’ (book here). This book is a sewer’s dream. It’s not often that I get a sewing book and want to make ALL of the items in the book. With this book, I do.  She has included clothing patterns, various bags and wallets and a few quilts.  Patterns are included in the back and I’ve used swedish tracing paper (here) to copy them.  The instructions are very well written.  Anna, thank you for creating the Market Bag pattern. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite bag patterns!

The fabric I used for the exterior of the bag is a khaki linen that I found at a thrift store. The scraps for the front pieces are from my stash and so is the lining. The straps are leather and I’ve just ordered more supplies so I can make a few more Market Bags for my gift stash (and perhaps one for me!).

Now to find a good book on CD. Any suggestions?