Bagmaking: The Manhattan Mamma

This is a bag of the month pattern, due for general release tomorrow from Emmaline Bags.

As soon as I saw it, I knew the fabric I wanted to use. This harbour scene from Makower.

Teamed with this Essex Yarn in nautical, and a busy bit of chevron for the inside.

This is such a lovely pattern.  There is something very aesthetically pleasing about the curve of the flap and the sides from the curved dart. I love the contrast panel at the front with its pocket, and the big zip pocket at the back. (There is piping on the panel, but you can't really see it here)

Mostly I love the fact that the flap opens to reveal another stash space!

You can make a zipper case or eyeglasses case to velcro in here, but I chose not to. (ok, I ran out of fabric - these things happen when you have the fabric before the pattern)

There is a slot pocket on the inside as well, and plenty of room inside the lightly padded body.

Overall, top marks for this pattern which is comprehensive and easy to follow. If I didn't have a massive list of 'to-do's then I'd make another immediately!

Two bags, one tree, lots of decorations and a little bit of in-cinema puking...

First things first - I completed two bags this week!

Quite a while ago, I won a pattern from Emmaline bags, called the Spring Sling. I love the shape although the patchwork panel on the front was never something I was going to attempt, so I used a piece of my Cath Kidston toadstool fabric instead.

 

I did partake in some quilting though, which is something I've never attempted before. It went ok. Slightly wonky but nothing major. I love the look of quilting I have to say.

The top of the bag is supposed to have oval grommets for the straps to slot through. I do have the oval grommets. Infortunately I was unaware when I bought them, that I'd need the tools as well. I haven't got 20 quid spare right now, so sadly I've had to leave them off.

 

I've had the lining fabric for ages and I can't remember when or where I bought it, but it seemed like the right one to use with the cotton linen I got from Doughtys online. The entire outer edge of this bag is bound with hand made binding and then hand stitched on. Took a while! I really like this bag and I will probably make another whenever I get the chance :)

Second bag was this alexis mini satchel style. I'm sort of pseudo happy with it. I wish I'd done piping around the main bag area and not just the flap, because it feels a bit meh without. This is also made from Cath Kidston fabric - there's an outlet near where I work and I'm always popping in on the off-chance there's something bargainous to be had. Its all relative of course but I'm happy to pay £6 a metre for this lineny stuff (instead of £14)

The lining is purple polka cotton. I've attempted to home-make some side tags/labels. I'm not hugely enamoured but they are ok. Do you think it looks kind of wierd sticking out there?

 

 It was decoration day at school this week. You go in for two hours and help the kids make decorations for the school. They do a morning and afternoon session, but I only had half a day off work, so I had to split a session between both of them.

Noah was first (he's in reception) He made a very. VERY glittery angel. He wouldn't wear his christmas pudding hat because he is five and he decided it was beneath him.

Then I popped over to help Joey and we made a felt bauble with beads. Which looked kind of like ravioli, but he was happy! He wouldn't wear his christmas pudding hat as apparently there was a splinter in it at break time. No idea how that happened. (its a wooly hat made by nanna Maxey)

On Saturday morning I was awakened (as I am every single morning) by a bouncy Noah demanding we get the christmas tree down from the loft. I could only put him off for so long, so we did get  it, and we decorated it. Joey was feeling off colour, so he stayed out of the chaos.

Sunday we went to our local garden centre - they have animatronic polar bears this year. Noah was v. happy. 

They both liked this display, which is up every year.

Then Noah noticed the ice rink. We weren't going to take them skating as its exorbitant, but when Noah gets excited its hard to say no. So £34 later we were all on the rink. 

Ten minutes later there were tears and blisters and aches and pains. Hire boots are DREADFUL. Even Noah wanted to leave. Lets not bother next year.

Sunday afternoon I took them to see Paddington. Which is a great film. Unfortunately Joey started coughing and then did a bit of vomit, which I handily caught in his popcorn cup. Lovely. Took him home and packed him off to bed. He manages to look pretty even when poorly sick. Wish I could say the same about me...

So they say good luck comes in threes..

 

I won again! This time this lovely pattern from Emmaline bags. I'd get going straight away if I didn't have a sewing list a mile long!