Messenger Bag

School started a couple of weeks ago here and my oldest daughter needed a new schoolbag.  She opted for a messenger bag and I made it using a pattern by Sew Liberated called the mischevious gnome messenger bag. 

Paolina got to choose the fabric and she remembered these arrows that I bought several months ago.  She has a special connection with arrows ever since third grade when her class studied California's Native Americans.  She wanted us to buy her a bow and arrow, but since we were decidedly against it, she went to the playground and made her own out of wood and yucca plants (just like she learned in school).  We thought it was cute and weren't too concerned about it, until she sent an arrow flying.  It actually worked! 

Anyway, I’m not a bag person, so I read and reread the instructions several times before I felt comfortable.  Once I got going, the bag was simple and went together really well — even the zipper pocket!  I fussy cut some of the text fabric to send little messages to my daughter during her day at school.  I put I love you accross the front pocket, but forgot about the button closure going right through the middle.  Oh well!

We realized we needed the bag two days before school started, so we had to hussle.  I felt like I was in a circus, with kids "helping" at every turn.   James sat next to me and every time I made a cut would say, “Oh, I need this scrap for my project?”  Miles wasn’t at all interested, except to reorganize the fabric and pattern pieces into heaps.  Paolina was eager to help, and Lucia spent some time looking for fabric for her bag (which still needs to be made).  The pattern had to be good to get through it with a usable bag.  


Anyway, I’m planning to make one for Lucia next and then to reduce it to make one for James.  Does that work?  He’s about half the size of Paolina, maybe a little less, so I thought I’d just do some math reduce each piece by around 25% and give it a try.  
 I'm linking up with Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Comments

Marla aka YaYa said…
I love your messenger bag, especially the secret messages!
Malinda said…
Congratulations on such a nice finish! I don't know how you get any sewing done with four helpers.
Jenny said…
Very nice indeed - what a clever Mum you are!!