Holiday Market

I'm almost ready for the Lincoln Square Holiday Market, in Urbana this Saturday from 8-1. Meet me behind the huge Christmas tree to browse through pouches, larger organizing bags, mail baskets, messenger bags, pencil pouches, key fobs, tissue covers, knitting needle pouches and these cute little whatnot baskets.
I still love Japanese fabric, and when the temptation builds up, I acquire another fantastic fairy tale or bicycle or owl fabric and start sewing!

Cloned Purses

Someone who bought a few of my pouches at Shared Space in downtown Urbana contacted me about making copies of a well-loved purse. The original bag is a casual shoulder tote made from Indian fabric and finished with covered cording in the seam between the lining and outer fabric.
I took the bag apart to make a pattern and then googled how to make covered cording. I send thanks once again to crafters out there who not only share construction secrets (and even patterns), but carefully document each step with photos so folks like me can attempt things step-by-step.
The online lesson took, and here are the two (reversible) purses that result.

Buckle Bag

My friend G wanted a smaller messenger bag in black with a buckle closure instead of a magnetic snap. I measured and fussed and finally got the webbing of the handle snipped the right length to feed through each side of the buckle and back to the seam without straining or sagging.
More advanced hardware like buckles is very appealing, but comes with a learning curve. Even tracking down a source for the right size and sheen of a piece of hardware can be a hunt. When I feel like meandering through a project instead of making sure tracks, a new gadget or technique is a must.