I was so happy when Frances (Miss Matatabi) contacted me about nani IRO month. I can’t say no to these fabrics, they’re all so beautiful and unique. I picked the canvas weight called Sound Circle to make something with (I love a good canvas).
Summer is in full swing here and we’re hoping to get over to pick some strawberries later today. I decided late last night that I wanted a bag and tried a few mock ups that I thought I would like. I even thought of enlarging my Runaround Bag pattern (which I think I still might do!) and try that. A nice roomy bag for summer always seems pretty essential to me. Nothing fancy, but something roomy and easy to wear. I ended up going to bed pretty frustrated with myself, I hadn’t even started cutting anything.
I’ve heard somewhere that your brain is good at working on problems when you’re asleep, I’m not sure how really, but I knew I had to get some sleep. So off to bed I went, thinking of a solution. Sure enough, I woke up this morning and immediately I thought of Amy Butler’s Gypsy Sling pattern that I had bought years ago! I had wanted to make it so bad when I first bought it, the shape is fun and relaxed and I knew I would like using it. Of course I hadn’t made it before, but I’m so glad it popped into my little brain overnight.
The bag went together pretty easily. I love the shape and I think it suits the fabric well. I even had the 3/4″ wide leather straps on hand! Luck was on my side today! The only thing that bugs me is how the strap channel is finished, it has a raw edge that is a little too exposed for my liking. But maybe I’m just being to fussy. Maybe I’ll try to plan out a way to construct it without that raw edge getting in the way – maybe a flat fell seam. I’ll have to think about it more.
Anyway, I’m glad it’s complete and I am going to love using it this summer! Thank you Naomi Ito for creating such amazing and inspiring fabric!
Pattern: Gypsy Sling PDF by Amy Butler
Fabric: Sound Circle 2015 Spring nani IRO collection by Naomi Ito for Kokka courtesy of Miss Matatabi
ps. stop over here, to enter Frances’s awesome giveaway, with $400 in nani IRO goodies to win (including 20 meters of fabric for just one winner)!
Holy cow! That is one ginormous bag….I love your fabric choice!
That bag is huge! I love it! I understand about the exposed raw edge bugging you. I have sewn another Amy Butler pattern (the Field Bag) and there are a few raw edges near the zipper closure that still bug me to this day. But, they don’t affect the function of the bag and the seams haven’t come undone, so I try not to look at the parts that bother me when I love the overall bag.
I have an Amy Butler pattern bag and the way the handles are constructed drive me crazy because it’s just so shabby looking by design. Your bag is beautiful though!
Could you do a french seam instead? That’s my go-to solution for raw seams.
Ok I’m obsessed!!
What a GREAT bag!!! Thank you! Bounced over to Miss Matatabi to say hi.
Anna, this is so so beautiful! Love the leather with the delicate Nani Iro. Stunning.
That bag is almost bigger than you! It is super cute – the canvas is gorgeous!
I’m with Trine – the leather works so well with this print. It’s such a beautiful bag. Thank you again for taking part!
Love it!! Quick question: Where do you get all of your cute zipper pulls?? I love the little leather ones. Do you make them?
Looks great! I love a big, roomy bag. I’ve sewn a few with canvas, an Amy Butler one, too, and they’re nice and durable. I’ve used the outdoor home dec fabric as well and had good results. I just love those leather straps.
I was just looking at my purse this morning, thinking it was looking a little rough and that I should use one of your patterns to sew a new one! You put together such nice fabric combinations and classy designs and finishing touches.
Hello! I came across your blog trying to troubleshoot a step in the Gypsy Sling pattern. To be honest, I am completely bewildered by the cell phone pocket instructions. I stopped sewing after step 7C because I cannot wrap my mind around (what appears to be) sewing the cell phone pocket opening shut and topstitching it. (!) I think there is a *really* good chance I’m misunderstanding the directions though. 😉 Any advice (or maybe a photo) you could share would be greatly appreciated. I also wanted to mention how lovely your bag came out! Nice work! Fingers crossed mine will come out as well. Thanks in advance for your help!