Bag #8, book, yarn and friends

Here's the bag that I made for Eva, the purple lover. The fabric is bought from the Prince Edward shop near the shop that sells my daughter's school uniform. Talking of which, winter is approaching and it's time to go and get her some winter uniform and I might just hop down to that shop to see if they have any new fabrics, like woolen fabric for a winter skirt to go to the office. What a convenient excuse.

Taking the liberty here to model it at the park.

The bag started out as the cover bag from this bag book which has now become my all time favourite bag book.

The fabric was cut, then I remembered Eva mentioning that she prefers a bag with zipper. So I just go along and made it up. The inside is pink and white striped fabric.

Things I learn from sewing this bag:

• Experiment with thinner interfacing as the fabric is medium weight compared to quilting cotton.
• Making buttonholes! I had a hard time, practiced and practiced on scrap before sewing on the fabric. I found that the sewing machine dial has to be reset after every buttonhole to work. Got to ask the sales lady why is it so.
• Attaching a lace trim.
• Sewing a curved bottom with darts. Straight lines are difficult and curved lines worse.
• Zipper re-dux, I give ample seam allowance and did a better job this time.

Now, some eye candy moment. Dear Marjorie gave me these strikingly beautiful red Louisa Harding yarn to make the Easy Peagy Bag for my birthday last week. It came as a complete, surprise and I was really thrilled when I got it last week when Eva, Marjorie and I had dinner together. Talking about pressies, Terry, my super, turbo-handed, colleague gave me a bag book with lots of lovely patterns that is in Chinese and I don't have to guess the instructions anymore. And least expected of all, Anne got me some beautiful red fabric at the Ally Pally Knitting and Stitching show. I am overwhelmed by all the kindness. I really enjoyed being with my knitting friends, not because of the presents at all, but because they are simply the greatest company. Thank you!

Comments

[Agnes]

You are getting more and more skilled in making those bags! Maybe you can even start a business with that! :)
So it was your birthday last week? Sorry I missed that ... belated happy birthday to you ... wish you many wonderful ones to come.

[Robbyn]

The bag is beautiful! It looks so well-crafted.

I can't wait to see what you do with all that splendid red yarn!

[Jennifer]

What a sweet bag, and what good friends you have!

[mrspilkington]

yes -- you should start selling these gorgeous bags-- then you can feed the sewing habit even more! :-)

beautiful work, siow chin!

[joy]

That's some yummy yarn there! May I have a look at the bag book? The bag looks better when you 'model' it and you can get a sense of how big it is.

[mimi]

Really nice bag for Eva! Looks great as a knitting bag with all the inner compartments.
I missed you bday? Wish you a belated Happy Birthday! Have fun with your crafty gifts, I think your Peagy bag will look great with those yarns!

[marjorie]

I've already knitted up my Easy Peasy Bag with 1 flower (which I think I knitted wrongly). Guess what? I'e made many things this past week, but didn't do any finishing for any of them ;)

[Rossana]

I really like your pretty new bag. The lace trim was a nice touch. And what lovely new Louisa Harding yarn to knit your Easy Peagy Bag!

[amanda]

The bag is great and so colorful! Definitely will make the recipient happy. And that Harding yarn is beautiful...can't wait to see the bag you knit with it :O)

[Teresa C]

I am loving the bag sewing going on around here. I have some fabric I got a long time ago to make a bag, now, where did I put that?

[Vicki]

That bag is absolutely beautiful - love the print! And lucky you - those are great birthday presents. :-)

[Cheryl]

I love the bag! Too bad that book isn't available in Canada, I'm so envious!

[Vanessa]

Gorgeous bag. I bet Eva will definitely love it.