A4 Envelope Sized Flat Handbag (Satchel)!

Merry Christmas! Hope you're having an enjoyable time with your family and friends.

To BUSINESS!!

Please excuse the really bad quality of the photo!! 

The dark blue background level are pockets. The straps separate and make 3 pockets. Goes around the bag so that makes it 6 external pockets! 2 internal pockets. I LOVE POCKETS!! 

The bag is a big A4 sized envelope to hold documents and stuff.

This was initially made for my mum for Xmas but because it's not up to MY standards, I'm keeping it for myself and will make her a better bag! 

Enjoy and be safe!

Reversible messenger bag!

Here's my 2nd project that I stayed up till 3.30am to finish on Sunday morning!

It's a reversible messenger bag for my work's Kris Kringle. Hope she likes it!

I can provide the measurements but I didn't take photos of the process of making it. I took photos of the finished product tho! :D I adapted the pattern from No time to sew: Messenger Bag Tutorial and simplified it for myself.

2 sets (Coordinating fabric - For the main body and lining):

• 2 of 15" x 10.5" (Main)
• 1 of 12" x 10" (Flap)
• 2 of 7.5" x 10" (Lined pocket)
• 1 of 44"-45" (Strap)

Inbetween the main and lining, I used quilt batting to 'soften' the bag instead of fusible interfacing. I thought I'd just give the quilt batting idea a try because I've never sewn with quilt batting before:

• 2 of 15" x 10.5" (Body)
• 1 of 12" x 10" (Flap)

I ended up forgetting to sew one of the pockets to the main/outside fabric. I finished sewing up the main side before attaching the pocket. So I sew the 7.5" x 10" pocket and split into 2 pockets in the middle, to the inside lining. Also personal choice with the number of pockets and where to put them!

The finished messenger bag measurements: 

• Flap: 11" x 9"
• Bag: 14.5" x 8" x 3.5"
• Strap: 1 3/4" x 44"

Enjoy!! :o)

Janome 2160DC and my first project!!

I am a proud mummy to my birthday/early Xmas present, a Janome 2160DC  sewing machine! The first thing I felt was scared. Absolutely SCARED!!! I'm scared of needles, sewing needles and pins... but not injection needles when I get my vaccination jabs?? Weird!

The Janome 2160DC is a sweet little sewing machine introduced to me by Denice, who works at Liz's Sewing Centre at Boronia. Lovely, lovely lady! She sat me down (with my husband staring into space! haha) and taught me briefly how to use the sewing machine. I was intrigued! I've always wanted a sewing machine but that thought never eventuated until this year! HAH!

For the first time in my life, I know how to thread the sewing machine and the bobbin. It was a big achievement for me!! It was so much fun!! Then I started playing around with the machine, tested different stitches and different foot. Still a bit lost with the button holes but I'll learn somehow! Just be aware that the Janome 2160DC has a mind of its own when you go past almost 3/4 of the sewing speed.

I won't go into the whole spiel about the Janome 2160DC since that info can be found at the Janome website.

Today... Or yesterday rather, I decided to make a bag. I followed the instructions that Debbie Shore shared on YouTube. She is awesome!!! It took me much longer to make the bag because I sewed 2 pieces together a few times on the wrong sides so I had to unpick them. After some unlady-like swearing, I finally unpicked the pieces and got on with the sewing. After 1am, I finally got the result that I wanted!! VOILA!

I might try to make a bigger sized handbag with a zip! Goodie goodie!! Add some interfacing as well so the bag will be stronger to stand on its own.

If you're looking for a beginner's sewing machine, I'd highly, highly, highly and absolutely recommend the Janome 2160DC.

Enjoy!!! :D