I love to sew, but I usually prefer to sew things that are useful, rather than frilly, pretty stuff. That’s how we came up with “Practically Creative” as a blog name. My favorite thing, though, is when things can be pretty and useful, like my new purse!
There is a lot of fussy work on the front, including the piping around the pockets.
The peacock fabric was bought about 2 years ago, along with a beautiful matching blue for the lining. The blue disappeared while I debated with myself about what pattern the fabric wanted to become. I love the free Phoebe purse pattern from Swoon patterns, but it runs kind of small for me. I like the Ruby purse, too, because it’s bigger, but I just wasn’t sure.
A few days ago, while browsing through Pinterest, I came across the free Ethel Bag, which is from the same designer, Rebekah Lambert of artsy-craftsy babe, who created Phoebe and Ruby. I loved the simple design and the size, which I geekily measured out on a piece of paper and carried around for a whole day. This size worked for me. The only thing I didn’t like was the two handle set-up. I like to be able to wear my bags cross-body, rather than on my shoulder, and I hate carrying a purse around. It makes me feel like an old woman! 😉
What sealed the deal, though, was coming across THIS pocket hack, with the piping at the edges and split pockets at the front of the bag. Oh, yes! That’s it, I said!
I love that the pattern is big enough to show off the peacock fabric. I got a peacock on the front AND on the back! Little things make me so excited and happy! I love the size of the inside, which holds my wallet easily and has two pockets for my cell phone with it’s huge case, and a place for my asthma meds and things that I have to have with me all the time. I also added a loop of piping to attach my keys so I don’t have to dig in the bottom of my purse for them.
The back side of my pretty new purse. I love those peacocks!
So now I have a lovely cross-body bag with lots of usable pockets for me. I took a lot of care while constructing this bag because I anticipate carrying it for several years.
LOVE the big pockets!
