Friday Night Sew-In and Today!

Last night was the Friday Night Sew-In!

Unfortunately, I was only able

 to do a bit of sewing.

I had my annual eye exam earlier that day

and I had a really bad headache

and my eyes were hurting,

 I guess from the dilation?  :-(

Anyway, I had some leftover strip sets

from a honeybun quilt project.

I absolutely LOVE these Moda

"Attitude Girls" fabrics designed by

Mary Engelbreit. 

The bright primary colors mixed with

 black and white just suck me in!!

And are soooooo perfect for a

"Back to School" purse!!

Anyway, all I was able to get done

 last night for the Friday Night Sew-In

was to sew those eight blocks

together into 2 sets. That was it,

I just couldn't focus or concentrate

with that darn headache!!  :-(

Today I felt much better and got right to work!!

I added black and red rickrack and

lined those two sets to use on the outside

 of the purse as wrap-around pockets.

I had the striped fabric in my stash. 

It is a heavier decor weight upolstery scrap.

Before I stitched those pockets on, 

I ironed fusible fleece to the back of each

 striped side piece and free-motion quilted it

with a heavy variegated thread. 

I sewed the pockets on about 3" from the bottom

 and also stitched through the pockets on some

 of the piecing lines to divide the pockets into

sections for smaller items like cell phone,

sunglasses and keys.

I trimmed down the top of each side in

readiness for using some cute ready-made

red and white polka-dotted leather handles.

I used that piece as a pattern to cut out

2 lining pieces, which I also fused a lighter

weight fleece to on the wrong sides.

  I added 2 pockets on those lining pieces.

With right sides together,

I sewed around all three sides

 of both outer and lining pairs,

but left a 4" opening in one of the

lining sides to turn it through!

Then I boxed the bottom corners and added a

 little fabric loop at the top of the back.

With right sides together, I pinned all

around the top seam of the two bags

and stiched  them together

with a 3/8" seam allowance!

I turned the bag right side out through

 the lining side seam opening.

Next, I stitched the side seam opening closed,

 and pushed the lining down inside the bag.

I top-stitched all around the top seam with

heavy decorative variegated thread.

I sewed the two pre-made handles
onto the top points,

and added a double button closure.

 

TAAAAAADAAAAAA!  :-)

Soooooo, WADDAUDINK????

Now I am ready for school!!