This satchel was finished late Sunday night, barely in time for Stella’s first day at her new childcare centre on Monday.
I used a highly modified verson of Nicole Mallalieu’s Large Tote and Satchel pattern. Many thanks to Nikki for letting me pick her brain about how to alter and construct the bag with an interior divider!
The main fabric is dark blue cotton twill from Spotlight, left over from making Clare’s school pants. The front flap fabric is from Amitie’s Blog VIP mailout, and the fabric for the back pocket (below) is from Retro Mummy.
The interior lining fabric is a mixture of the Amitie and Retro Mummy fabrics, with some Heather Bailey for Free Spirit fabric thrown in for good measure!
The flap is covered with clear PVC, and bound in bias binding. It closes with a magnetic snap, covering the zippered pocket that I inserted into the front of the bag. The inside divider has fast-to-fuse in the centre to keep it stiff. Interfacing probably would have been adequate though.
There are two drink bottle pockets on one side of the interior, and a simple patch pocket on the other. There is a key leash, as per usual, and I didn’t forget to include a thornberry label!
I used the same technique to make the hard covered base as in the Beach Bag pattern. It’s so straightforward and gives such a great result! The bag feet and all other hardware, including the strap rings and slide adjuster, come from Nicole Mallalieu Design, as did all the interfacing and fusible wadding. Almost all the fabric in this bag has been interfaced, and the outer fabric also has a layer of fusible wadding. The single strap is adjustable in length and is fully topstitched.
I was very chuffed to be able to work out so many modifications and changes myself (with some suggestions from Nikki) and to construct the bag just as I wanted it. Stella seems to like it!
Lara – Its great !!! I am almost tempted to buy the pattern . I really really like the shape and the PVC – and well all of it actually.
You did a great job with the bag. So unique and personal.
Lara, this a WOW………very inspiring
Sharon
Great Satchel – love the fabrics, the use of pvc, the pockets the design! Stella will be the most stylish toddler at day care!
Wow. that is lovely. Your finish is excellent. Well done.
GREAT WORK!!! You did an amazing job with all the modifications. I’ll have to get your feedback on your internal interfacings…. or at least have a good sticky-beak inside the bag.
It’s also good to see you have your priorities right – re: sewing bags instead of ironing clothes on the weekend!! I remember reading on Amitie’s blog “The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary”. Now THERE’s something to live by!!!
Lara that bag is FANTASTIC! Stella is so lucky!
wow Lara, how do you get all this done?!!?!! I am, again, so impressed with your work…
going to have to start using the word “chuffed” along with wadding, nappies, and flat chat in my conversations.
Fabulous bag, Lara. I love the modifications you’ve made… one of my classes is doing a similar thing at the moment, changing a simple bag pattern into something more suited to their own particular needs – cell phone and ipod pockets usually! Your fabric choices are stunning and you inspire me to get off my chuff and try one of Nicole’s patterns.
fantastic bag – I love it. I love how you have modified everything and really made it your own bag. It will be the best bag there.
You are amazing! That bag was a mere thought last week and now it is a finished project. Good on you.
OMG that is fantastic!
Oh I am so glad we don’t use the same daycare – I would be so embarrassed by my cheapie, store-bought bag. This is gorgeous. Sounds like it was a big job, yet it looks so beautifully made. Well done.
wow, that’s a work of art. I love the number fabric on the front panel. Perfect for a little one to take to daycare.
wow, i love it !! great job
OMG you are going to win Amitie’s comp for sure now! How can a mere mortal compete with that wonderful creation. I’d be chuffed too!
WOW! That looks incedible and you make it sound so easy to make. Love the fabric too!
What a beautiful bag and so nicely done! Fabulous! Lovely fabric combinations!
Wow… you have taken note of so many details, making the bag not only beautiful but very functional. Great job!
Hia catching up again. What a lovely sewing room you have.
Your bag is so well made. Having the studs on the stiff bottom make all the difference to wear and tear. Well done it was all so well thought out.
Best Wishes,
Melanie
Wow that is gorgeous. I have always wanted to make a bag with a divider inside – I’ll have to have a close look at that pic. Great job!
Fantastic work Lara – Nikki’s Bags are so great and well constructed – It looks like to will fair well with the daycare routine!
What a beautiful bag! There is nothing about it that I don’t LOVE. Amazing.