Last week I finally got round to making myself a new handbag – it was well overdue as the one I made a couple of years ago was looking decidedly worn and sad.
I decided to use the same pattern – the Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl Designs, it’s just the right size for me and having made it at least three times, I know what I’m doing! I used some gorgeous Donegal Tweed left over from a skirt I made last year, for the base I used black denim again as it makes a hard-wearing, smart base. I made a couple of design changes having seen where my last one wore out first.
The pattern uses the lining to make a false binding along the top edge of the bag, as it’s lined with quilt weight cotton it’s not very hard-wearing. I decided to add a strip of denim to the top of the lining which would act as the false binding. I also used denim to line the flap as again that was an area which wore quickly around the magnetic fastener.
There’s always a surprising number of pieces to cut out when making a bag, outer fabrics, lining, pockets, flaps, interfacing, wadding…I used some fabrics I bought for my Coming Home quilt to line it – the colours matched perfectly and I have plenty left. I decided to use the blue tree fabric for the pockets as I do like a light coloured interior in a handbag – I’m less likely to lose stuff! I put pockets on both sides and also a zip pocket to put my bus-pass in! The handles are leather which I bought in a closing down sale, my only other addition was a key fob – I used a length of ribbon which says ‘I can resist everything except temptation!’ and used the clip from my last bag.
The initial stages of putting it together went pretty easily, I hand-stitched the handles on with top-stitching thread, it was a bit fiddly but the holes were already there, I just had to find them with the needle! I soon had my two halves ready to stitch together. That’s where the fun started..
It was a good idea putting the denim strip along the top, it does look great, but it was hard work for my sewing machine!! With multiple layers of denim, tweed, interfacing, batting and lining it was a big ask – I did get the safety message flashing up a couple of times – ‘Stopped for Safety Reasons’!! The side seams didn’t get fully top-stitched but I don’t think it’s noticeable. The other area I had difficulty was stitching the flap on, this is the last bit to stitch, it was just too thick at first, I couldn’t even get it under the foot! I decided to trim the denim back so it wasn’t folded on it’s self and that seemed to do the trick.
My new handbag went into immediate use, I’m really pleased with it, hopefully this will stay smart for a bit longer than the last one.
thecraftycreek 
Wow, impressive! It does look smart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Margaret, what a beautiful bag, you are an inspiration. I need a bag for all my stitching tools, etc. This would be a beauty. Kind regards Mandy xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mandy, it’s a lovely pattern.
LikeLike
I’m speechless! So you even make handbags!!!! You’re a legend! Seriously.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Prue, but I just follow instructions 🙂
LikeLike
Gorgeous handbag, Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Del, I’m pleased with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is there no end to your talents?! Functional and good looks.
The idea of a pale lining is such a good one. So many bags have dark interiors, which make it so hard to find anything. I have a friend with macula degeneration and locating things in her handbag is really difficult.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anne, I once made one with a dark inside – I couldn’t find a thing!!
LikeLike
Very nice! I love the tweed and the leather handles. Good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Melanie, I’m pleased with it.
LikeLike
That looks lovely, gorgeous colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Pauline, it’s gorgeous tweed.
LikeLike
You never fail too amaze me Margaret. This bag is beautiful, and I love the light lining, also love the long band with a clip for holding a purse etc, such a small but clever idea. X
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, I’ve made a few handbags now so I know what I like in them 🙂
LikeLike
A very nice bag and I just happen to have some tweed hanging around in my stash. My husband has an industrial sewing machine which he uses for his leather work so maybe I could get him to sew the thicker bits for me. Another project added to the list 🙄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ooh, very useful having an industrial sewing machine to hand, maybe he could make you some handles too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely bag, and I’m with you on the need for a key doohickey attached to the bag. I have one of those spiral jobs like a telephone cord, so I can reach the keyhole without detaching it from the bag. Also on the need for a pale lining – and plenty of pockets!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Kate, my ribbon is just long enough to unlock the door without detaching the key! I love not having the morning panic of ‘where’s my keys’!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not only is it a smart looking bag it is well thought out. I love the contrast of black denim for the bottom and top edge it really sets off the tweed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lisa, the denim worked out well, just a bit tough to sew!
LikeLike
Wow – Your amazing! Gorgeous bag!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’m pleased with it.
LikeLike
Margaret, you put a lot of thought into what you needed, as well as design, and the result is a great bag! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura, I’ve used this pattern a few times now so I know what I like to have inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks lovely and what a great choice of handles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I used the same type of handles on my last bag, they’re not cheap but they do give a professional finish, these were in a closing down sale so I bought a spare pair too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So smart – so practical – Wow! Amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful. I actually think you are Wonder Woman you are so talented.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathy, but I just follow instructions 🙂
LikeLike
What a handbag! So you just decide you need a new handbag and whip one up – amazing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person