Hot Patterns - Nairobi Bag

I finished it!!! It is pretty darn big but I love it. I always have to haul around a ton of stuff so it should be perfect. I love the teal color - very springy! Grumpy girl #1 wanted to be in the photo also. This photo is to show you the size and the real color. It's not as eye-popping as it looks in the other photos. Here's the original post with a little bit more information. Here are a few in-progress photos. Here's a link to the Hot Patterns page with the information. I got my download free (thank you, you-know-who!). If you want me to send it you, you probably won't have to convince me too much. I'm writing this small because I'm hoping that HP won't read this if it's small. They already aren't really big fans of me.

Here's the inside. This side sports a zippered pocket with a pink (all for you Paulette!) zipper.

This side has a series of pockets that you can barely see. Didn't I do an absolutely freaking awesome job matching the prints? It's so easy to do on something without darts, pleats, and curves. You can see my iPhone peeking out of one of the pockets. I made a few pencil pockets and a larger one for my wallet.

I decided to add a leather facing to the top edge. I didn't want the cotton peeking out at the top and I thought the cotton would be too dainty to deal with the magnetic snaps and the stress of open/shut, open/shut, open/shut. As it turns out, it's very hard to topstitch this many layers of leather. I topstiched through the outside and facing so that the lining didn't just go together leaving the main bag open. I never downloaded the directions so I don't know how HP has you put it together. I omitted the middle section of the bag. Melissa has made this bag numerous times and says that it's fine to leave that part out of the bag. It's plenty big she says.

Here's the outside of the bag with the straps. I don't like how long the straps that attach to the bag. They are too long. Oh well, there is no way I am fixing that at this point. On my next bag, I'll change that.

This is the intersection between the purse straps and the shoulder strap. Notice on the purse how I couldn't topstitch around the bag where the straps go it???? Too bulky. I'm not sure how to fix that next time. This time I think I'll just leave it. Oh well. I still love it. I'll get lots of use out of it.

Leather Purse

I've been wanting to make a purse for a while. The torquoise on the left is suede (HOW FUN IS THAT COLOR??). The fabric on the right is a quilting cotton for a lining.

I think I'll use the Gutterman upholstery thread for topstitching. I like the light tan one on the bottom.

I'm going to make this HotPatterns bag. I'm hoping I can cut it out and make it this coming Saturday. We'll see how fast I can work my way through it. I'll be using one of Paulette's machines at Seams Like Home.

I'm gonna tan me a cow . . Burda #151 Leather Obi Belt

My first foray into leather was a big honking success (I think). I'm glad I did something simple with few seams and easy construction. I bought this red leather at a local beading place called Black Elk Beads and Leather. Alaska has a large population of Alaska Natives who do beadwork. This shop carries leathers, beads, thread, buckles, embellishments, and the like. They also have things like seal skin, sinew, leather crafting materials, and fur. This is not a place for the sensitive animal-lover.

Anyhoo, this is BWOF 06/09 #151. Cidell already did a review of this pattern using fabric. I have wanted to try leather for a while and thought this would be the perfect pattern for it. I did follow Cidell's advice and look closely at the length of the belt. Like her, I realized that the belt would be too long. I took a good 2" out of the center of the belt and 2" out of the angled "side" piece. That's a total of 8" because these pieces were either on the fold or doubled. I also reduced the length of the ties from 35" to 22". Those would be some loooong straps. I do think you need to be careful about how much you take off total. The front should wrap around to the sides and the "side pieces" should overlap at the back so you get that great overlap effect.

The back with the overlap is my favorite part. There is an opening in the side to allow the strap to come through. It's kinda like a wrap dress.



I really like the combination with this black dress. It's from BWOF 11/2008 I want to make a berry floral print dress and wear the red belt with that also.

Here's the side. You can see the opening in the seam to allow the strap to come through. You can tell I could have shortened it a tad more. I topstitched all the seams to help them lie flat. That and I like the look of the topstitching on the leather.

My leather sewing friends. I should have added the rolling leather foot I have. My friend gave me a Necchi machine a few months ago and it came with a leather rolling foot. I used Coats and Clark Heavy Duty thread. For the topstitching I pulled all the threads to the back and tied the thread off. For extra assurance, I used Fraycheck on the seams.

Here's the inside seam with the opening.

Here's the non-opening side seam.

Now, I'll have to make something to wear with this rockin' belt.

Can I just say . . .

Yum! I'm the proud new owner of some delicious red leather. This is going to become the Obi belt from the June issue. I traced out the pattern but I'll need to take several inches out of the waist. See this review from PatternReview.com. I don't really know anything about leather so I'll have to do some research on cutting and sewing it.


I'm sort of stalled on the kid raincoat. I'll explain more later. Right now I have to take my son for a teeth cleaning.