Just Because...

I've been wanting to make SOMETHING from Heather Ross' "Weekend Sewing," the first sewing book I purchased.  I fell in love with the design and the projects were very cute.  I'm really glad I waited a long while to use the book because honestly the patterns are pretty poorly drafted and the instructions are awful.  So many errors!  Trying to make something from this book when I was a beginner would have been disastrous.  Luckily, I found the help I needed on the good-ole internet.

I used this awesome Echino fabric I got on sale at Purl Soho to make the Weekend Away Travel Bag.  I've been waiting for it to go on sale because it reminded of the car my best friend had in college.  It was a bright green Datsun (Al, is this right?).  For the inside I used scraps from another Echino fabric with owls and deer on it.  I'm on a deer kick right now.   Luckily I know how to restrain myself from purchasing too much random crap.

Anyways, the bag went together fairly slowly.  Unfortunately, the instructions failed to mention that one way prints don't really work for this pattern.  Also, the inner pocket dimensions are incorrect.  I omitted the pocket anyway.  The bag is nicely finished on the inside, but the final sewing step was a PITA and I had to redo it twice.  If you make this bag, measure the lengths of the two pieces you are sewing together and adjust the zipper panel piece accordingly.  

I included a lavender eye pillow, Andes Mints, and a home-made stitched card.

 I might make another bag again as a gift, but not for a while.

:)

Job Hunt Update:  I've had 2 interviews for an Assistant Technical Designer position and am scheduled for a third.  I really like the company and my potential boss.  I think this job will be challenging and am excited to both learn a lot and work hard.  I really hope I get it!  Thanks Gwen for the encouragement on my last post.