a Crossbody Bag in process
We interrupt our quilty pleasure for another bag-making adventure!
When Aria saw me making that bag for my friend, it got her thinking. She’d like a crossbody style bag big enough to carry a book, but not so big as a normal messenger bag. I sent her to look at SOTAK patterns, and she found the Luisa Crossbody Bag. It’s 10” wide, 9” tall and 3” deep - just right for Aria.
Now, how about some fabrics?
They’ve arrived! About a month ago, we browsed all my sponsor shops looking at canvas fabrics. That was tricky because she’s not a fan of floral prints or multiple colors (yes, we are related). Aria finally found something pleasingly simple at Winter Creek Cloth. The Vessel Hills canvas will be the bag outer and the Zen Chic script canvas will be the bag lining. And - most exciting of all - Winter Creek has waxed canvas too! We’ve chosen the Indigo color for the exterior contrast fabric. It will form the bottom of the bag and the strap, that is if all goes according to plan.
I’ve cut out the pattern pieces and interfaced them as instructed. This time I’m using the Pellon SF 101 Interfacing that Svetlana of SOTAK recommends. I do like it better than what I’ve used before. It’s a nice, medium weight and fuses easily.
I have a collection of zippers, including some vintage ones. I always try my darnedest to use something from the collection, but I will have to go to the store today anyways for a few metal strap rings. I’ll buy the perfect zipper for the main exterior pocket as well. At least I can use some of my own for the other two zippers.
Honestly, I do not like sewing zippers. However, this is the second time that I’ve had the feeling of “oh, that was actually easy” with a SOTAK pattern. I like the way that she builds the pattern and that there are trimming steps for tidying up. Svetlana approaches things more like a quilter than a garment-maker. That’s probably why I feel at ease.
So, here is my exterior bag front ready to join to the waxed canvas bottom. I’m a little nervous to sew with the waxed canvas for the first time, but I’ve already read a few Wax Canvas Sewing articles, so I think that I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Fingers crossed!
