A LOT! A book full of fabulous bags? Yes please!
And after no less than 12 hours of hard labor, I'd like to introduce you to the Miss Maven Ruffled Handbag.
I used Amy's Full Moon Dots print and a Midwest Modern print and I love the combo. So pretty!
The inside of the bag has a false bottom for extra stability. Nice detail! I deviated from the pattern on the pockets and made my own to suit my needs.
I have to tell you, this was THE.MOST.DIFFICULT. bag I've ever made. The pattern is listed on the "Experienced" level and they aren't kidding! When I first read through the directions I didn't think that any one step sounded too hard and I dove right in. But I must have overestimated my skill level because this sucker gave me run for my money! I had broken thread drama making those ruffles, and don't even get me started on making and attaching those adorable handles! I can't even tell you how many times I pinned and re-pinned and stuck my fingers. But then it was done and it was so worth it!
I'm really grateful for the deadline of the Amy Butler Sew & Tell Challenge to keep me going, because I might have given up otherwise! My bag is far from perfect but I feel really good about working through such a difficult pattern.
After making this crazy hard bag I need some serious quilting therapy. My next task is quilting a baby quilt for a friend, and believe me, that's EXACTLY what I need!
Happy sewing!
Mary
it's beautiful Mary, I can see you put a lot of work into it, now you get to enjoy it! yay!
ReplyDeleteI love it! It does look really hard, though--the handle and the ruffles. Though I must say, to me the handle looks harder. I can see me screwing it up repeatedly!
ReplyDeleteFortunately for me, I only do bags I can either 1) put over my shoulder or 2) can be taken to a formal attire wedding (no, I have never made on of these, being that I go to formal attire events so often and all ;) ).
Love the fabrics, of course.
It looks fantastic!! Totally worth your 12 hours, although I'm sure you were getting tired of making it by the end! But just think of how cute you'll look when you use it! :)
ReplyDeleteIncredible job! You are really making me want to run to the book store and buy the book TODAY!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic Mary!!! You did a great job! The fabric combo is great. Enjoy! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks awesome mate!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabrics you used! Very pretty!!!
Oh this is making me want to go home and sew...RIGHT NOW! You did an awesome job on this purse.
ReplyDeleteAmy Butler! Book full of purses/bags! Now I'm in LOVE!
ReplyDeleteYour bag is amazing...at first I thought it might have been the pictures out of the book...you did a great job!
Mary, the bag looks fantastic! I can imagine how difficult it would be with the ruffle and all. You did a great job though - I agree with Claire - I thought you used a picture from the book!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Amy Butler has the prettiest fabrics. I think you did a great job. I have been sewing for years and I don't think her patterns are pretty hard to follow in general. I love that ruffle right down the front.
ReplyDeleteYour bag is just beautiful! :o) Your persistence and hard work sure paid off. :o)
ReplyDeleteI think this bag is fabulous! Love the shape and love the fabrics you chose. Great work! But I definitely hear ya that you need an easy project, I just made the Birdie Sling and I think it is relatively easy compared to this!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
I had to laugh through your post as you know I experienced similar difficulties!! Amazing job, though, and what a stylish bag you have now!
ReplyDeleteit really looks perfect. good job sticking it out. it looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat an impecably finished bag! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour bag turned out amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic! You pulled it off nicely, I must say. So so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge purse fan, but this is gorgeous! Love the fabrics you chose and kudos on working your way through a difficult challenge to such a beautiful bag!
ReplyDeletethis bag is stunning...you did an amazing job
ReplyDeleteI love it! You did a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous bag! Totally out of my league, but you did a wonderful job. I can understand all the effort you have put into it, and it was worth it, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS! I love the way that dotted fabric changes when it's all ruffled up together.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! You should frame it. It really is so beautiful and so well made. Congratulations. :) (That's kind of weird to say, but I sometimes wish someone would congratulate me for making something I didn't think I could make. Ha!)
ReplyDeletelooks perfect from here! i can only imagine how much work went into making that bag. enjoy it!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this...I'm surprised you said it gave you trouble, because it looks pretty perfect to me. :-) I didn't know about this book, but I'm going to ask for it for my birthday. LOVE LOVE your bag!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful. I adore AB's finished products but getting there can kill me sometimes. Lovely finish!
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfect! Way to go! I love your fabric choices. Now I know not to make that one first. hehe
ReplyDeleteWow that bag looks great! There is no way I would have gone near that bag pattern. Mine would never have got finished. Kudos to you for perservering and finishing it. Go show it off now.
ReplyDeletethis. is. amazing! nice work! now, can i have it?!? ;)
ReplyDeleteYour bag is amazing! Love the pink and green together. I have attempted to make bags that I swear I will never make again, they came out gorgeous but WAY too much blood, sweat and tears!. Great job!
ReplyDelete12 hours huh? Wow! Good job keeping at it. You wouldn't know that you had any trouble with it. It came out beautifully!
ReplyDeleteSome of AB's patterns can be really difficult, I avoid them :) Congrats on conquering! It came out beautifully, I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful (and I am generally not a bag person) you should be really proud of yourself.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy using it! :)
I really love this! Those are two of my favorite fabrics!! YOu did and amazing job.
ReplyDeleteI'm conviced! Your bag is amazing... I think, I'll need this book!;)
ReplyDeleteThis bag is gorgeous! I LOVE it. Great job.
ReplyDeleteMary, you did a great job! Her patterns are not the easiest but they always come out top notch!
ReplyDeleteYour fabric selection is great. Love the bag and will have to check out the book!
Well...even if it was the most-difficult bag, you would never know from how well it turned out!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is spectacular! I totally want to make one!!
ReplyDeleteThis is FANtastic!!! Take it out on the town with pride!!
ReplyDeleteWow... super awesome! It looks so nicely and professionaly sewn! I LOVE the ruffle! I've had some problems with thread breaking in making ruffles before... I love doing it on the highest tension/ longest stitch length while it automatically ruffles for you. I think I solved my problem by lowering the tension one notch, which still created ruffles and no thread breaking. Or you could always ruffle the old fashioned way and sew a long gathering stitch and pull the ruffles through yourself when you are done.
ReplyDeleteNo teaser pic on the baby quilt???!!!!! ;) Can't wait to see it!
Awesome! Very well done. That's really nice!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I dig it! You never know what your capable of until you do it! don't worry, next time it'll only take 11:45. J/k :-) Amy's bags are so adorable, but whew! time....
ReplyDeleteI love your fabric choice. It turned out great.
ReplyDeleteIt's an awesome bag with a tough journey! Just what you need?: a baby or a quilt?:) j.k.
ReplyDeleteGreat bag! Definitely worth the effort. What did you use for interfacing?
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous!! I just got that book for my birthday and am looking forward to making some bags. Thanks for the heads up on the difficulty level .... I might leave that bag until my skill level is a little higher.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a gorgeous bag! Bravo to you for your beautiful work. I so agree with you on Amy Butler's new book - love it! Your ruffle looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I saw that this bag was a finalist in the Purse Week contest...I knew it would be, it was my favorite! I hope you win!!
ReplyDeleteI found your post because I am making this bag right now, and just about to sew the handles on... wanted to see if anyone out there had some pointers! I too got SO frustrated trying to do do the ruffles, but finally found the trick... I set the machine to the longest stitch length, and then pulled the fabric through to make the stitches even longer. It worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteYour bag looks amazing! I hope mine finishes up 1/2 that nice! Any tips before I sew on the lining??
Aww, that’s so cute! I want one! I love the idea of flowers and polka-dots design coming together. You’re very talented to have come up with that handbag even though it was your first time making one. ;)
ReplyDeleteit turned out spectacular!! i'm so thankful you shared how difficult it was - cross that off my list but I can still be inspired by your components and colors and dream of projects ahead - thank you!
ReplyDelete♥ http://www.northerncottage.net