Closet Flashbacks: The Houndstooth Blossom Bag

I don't know if it's just me, but I make stuff then forget I have it for a couple of years. Is that weird? I was looking through my closet the other day and realized that I have quite a few pieces that I spent a lot of time on that have been neglected. I decided that these unloved and ignored specimens need to make a comeback. That's when I decided to start an occasional series to help some unloved friends emerge from the depths of my wardrobe. It's my attempt to finally wear/use clothes, jewelry and accessories that I've made and stashed over the years. It's also an opportunity to use some RTW garments that may have been forgotten too.    

 

Since I have a fondness for Amy Butler patterns, I decided to drag my first Blossom bag out of the depths to start this series off. I originally posted my first bag here in 2010 and then my second one that I made for a gift a little while later here. 

 Today I dug out a dress that I got from Target over 5+ years ago and paired it with the houndstooth bag...love it!

While these flowers have nothing to do with the bag, they do match my bright orange toenails and are beautiful.

Here's the bag in all of it's glory. The size is great because it's not too big and has handy dividers inside of it. I remember how much fun I had making it (both times!) and am wondering why I haven't been using it more. I'm just glad that it's now back in my purse rotation :) 

Amy Butler - Blossom Bag #2

As soon as Amy Butler's new book "In Stitches" came out I bought it and sewed myself a Blossom bag and matching pleated coin purse (see here). I loved how it turned out so much that I made this one for my mom for Christmas. It may seem strange that I am posting it 2 months in advance BUT since I can't keep secrets and my mom wanted to see it early, here it is! For some reason this material was a bit cantankerous and I snapped 3 needles in the process but it turned out alright in the end :)

P.S. Have you ever had a project where no matter how many times you ripped out a row of stitches you just couldn't get it straight? Attaching the outside flap was a nightmare on this particular project for some reason and despite trying and trying again (and almost breaking my sewing machine a couple of times) I just could not get it under control. I guess the idiosyncracies are what make it unique :)

Amy Butler - Blossom Bag and Pleated Coin Purse

Have I mentioned before that I love Amy Butler? I just bought her new book, "Style Stitches" and it is awesome. I've been saving this houndstooth fabric for a long time just waiting for the right project and the Blossom bag and matching coin purse was the natural choice :) This is a semi-soft bag with lots of room and even comes complete with a zipper pocket and a magnetic closure. For the lining I used a vintage .70 cent pillowcase I found at the Salvation A. that has funky flowers on it in bright colors.

As with all Butler patterns, there was a laborious amount of cutting, fusing, needle breaking and hand stitching but since I've come to expect that, it doesn't bother me anymore especially knowing that the finished product reflects the amount of time that went into it. I must say that I love, LOVE, L O V E how this bag turned out and the coin purse with the vintage daisy brooch is just an added bonus. There are a few minor cosmetic imperfections that I'm going to call "individualistic nuances" but I can live with them :)