Big Babushka Bag

I am working on my Christmas gift project list and will post what I can here (that is, gifts for people who I know don't look at this blog). I should, if all goes well, have an avalanche of posts after the holidays...We'll see. This large purse/tote for my mother-in-law was made from the Amy Butler Birdie Sling pattern. It has some nice details like pleats, a really wide, comfy shoulder strap, and generous interior pockets. I used regular, light-weight cotton for the exterior and lining and a fine-wale corduroy for the trim and strap. (I seem to use lots of that soft cord lately. It has a perfect balance of softness and sturdiness...)

The babushka print has special significance: Charlie loves playing with "Mimi's" dozens of nesting dolls acquired on a trip to Moscow in the 1980's. This is another print by the Japanese maker Trefle. Fortunately, there was plenty of fabric left over for some other projects I have in mind--Perhaps a dress for Charlie using these three fabrics....

More about that pattern: The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. The most time-consuming part of the project was cutting out all the pieces and applying all that interfacing and fusible fleece. This seems to be the case when sewing purses. Or maybe it just seems that way because I find that part tedious... One recommendation would be to leave larger holes for turning the right side out than are suggested in the instructions. All that interfacing makes for a lot of bulky material to pull through, and tugging causes the interfacing to stretch and pucker. Also, the interfacing for the exterior layer could be probably be eliminated if using a heavier canvas or decorator-type fabric. My cheap sewing machine again amazed me by sewing through all those layers (which approached 20 in some places for the finishing top-stitching). Go, Brother 3100, go!

Detail of pleats:

Detail of lining:

(PS Wow: My probiscus looks especially prominent in the shadow in the photo on the right above! Guess that's why Charlie says, "My nose is round; Mom's nose is pointy.")