POPPIES GALORE BAG with Organza Poppie Pin

When I first saw this gorgeous poppy cotton print by Robert Kaufman I knew it would make a striking bag. The flowers are oversized, probably near life-size and so pretty.

This is a new shape purse that I have been working on, no pleating but still darts along the bottom for expansion, than it slowly tapers up to the top of the band.

It is nice and soft but still very sturdy with added cotton batting and interfacing throughout.

Once the bag was complete I had to try to create a similar poppy look with red organza. It did come out pretty nice. A small covered button imitates the center of a poppy and added golden yellow beads add more realism.

I have sewn a pinback to the flower so it can be removed and worn on your lapel is so desired.

Now I need to see what else can use some of these fun fabric flowers.

Photographing red items is a real challenge. It is so hard to get them right. Reds start getting pink or yellow. Hopefully I have captured the essence of this beautiful fabric.

ZOO ANIMAL Zippered Pouch...I Thought This Would Be Easy

Well, being the pack rat that I am and never throwing away anything deemed useful, I have lots of fabric remnants from my bag making venture. Zippered pouches and wristlets are a great way to use up some of these scraps.

I have lots of purse pattern and idea books, but of course I had to get another one from the library - Sew What! BAGS by Lexie Barnes. Lexie has loads of cute easy-to-follow ideas and I thought I would try my hand a the zippered pouch design.

I have made a few other zippered pouches and haven't been really happy with the results. I'm always up for another way of approaching something. The design shouldn't have any handsewing involved (quicker to make), have good details and appeal to many.

I recently bought the cutest print by Michael Miller - Zoology - has loads of giraffes, hippos, trees, frogs, etc. on a deep chocolate brown background. I started with this fabric.

Well...the first one was a disaster!! Iron-on peltex was not the interfacing to use, the fabric doesn't stay nice, looks all wrinkled. And the zipper didn't lay flat the way I wanted.

The zipper should fit the opening and not be longer, althought lots of patterns say it can be longer. But I find that the extra zipper tape makes for curved lumpy corners along the top. A flat top on the pouch is much more appealing (and looks like you know what you are doing!).

So I started to take that pouch apart, I had thoughts of reusing the zipper, but then realized that wasn't going to work out.

Starting fresh - new fabric, new zipper, new polka dot band for the front, and regular sew-in peltex I attempted this EASY design once again.

Yea, it finally came out like I had wanted - sturdy, smooth, great handy size (a checkbook fits) and really cute (I think so). This will be the style that I plan to used from now on - quick (although I'm not too quick yet!), easy, nice lines and a great way to use up expensive cotton remnants.

It did take me a while to figure out how to attached the strap handle to the hook so it looked decent and professional.

One detail that I would have added and will in future pouches, is top stitching along the zippered edge - looks nice and helps to keep the lining out
the way.

I used Michael Miller's Brown Kitschy Dot for the lining. In this simple pouch there is no pocket, since it is rather small and not really necessary.

The pouch can be considered a wristlet too because of the detachable strap.

Now to get it listed in my Etsy shop!