January Bag of the Month

Before I introduce my January bag, I wanted to share this little wallet I made for my son’s friend. He was turning 6 and my son still gets excited for me to make his friends gifts for their birthdays, so I’m more than happy to oblige while he still thinks I’m cool. It only has 2 card slots, just enough for a library card and a gift card, plus a bill slot. It’s nice and firm and closes with a snap because my son is always asking me for things with snaps. It was very well received by an excited birthday boy exclaiming “my first wallet!” So very worth it. Stay tuned for a free tutorial.

You may remember, I have joined the Bag of the Month Club, a collaboration of 6 independent bag designers, each taking turns releasing a new pattern a month for 6 months. Well, the first pattern is this Companion Carpet Bag, from Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H and it’s such a fun bag! I was a bit slow to get it started because the bag requires some pretty specific metal frames and at the time, I was only able to locate them in China, which took a while. Thankfully, the frames are now available at Emmaline Bags in Canada. 

This one is the large, with a 12″ frame, and the small is made with a 8″ frame. I used Joel Dewberry’s Birch Farm and Notting Hill Collections. The main Birch Farm print has such a large image, it demanded a large bag. I lined up the pocket on the front of the bag to match up with the main panel, and the pocket has a magnetic snap closure. The interior has a large divided slip pocket and a zippered pocket. 

This is my first time using premade handles, and I did not enjoy hand-sewing them on. I think next time, I will just attach the handles between the main panel and the frame channel, and skip the hand-sewing altogether. I’ve seen some tutorials on making your own vinyl/leather handles as well, and I may try that too. 

The pattern calls for purse feet, and they are actually used to attach the stabilizer to the bottom of the bag; I got to use these ones I got from a friend and I think they go with the fabric colours perfectly. I also had fun fussy cutting the front pocket to match up with the exterior panel. It was a bit challenging getting it just so, but I enjoy a challenge now and then.

I hope the rest of my bags for the club won’t be this late…I do have February’s bag cut, fused and ready to assemble, so that should be coming along soon. I’m still contemplating the fabric for March’s bag and I already know exactly what I’m using for April’s bag. 
Do you have a lot on your to-do list as well? How do you prioritize and organize?