Join me on my sewing journey (pt. 2) "Making my first bag"

This past week I decided to take on making my first bag.  I had really high expectations considering that I did a pocket and a lining but anyway.  I made it in one day, which I learned my lesson.. BREAK IT UP.. Woosh, sewing is exhausting, and very exasperating and almost addicting, however, I need to slow down.  I sewed for hours straight without a break and I forgot to eat (yikes)Oops..  Anyway, I started with this awesome southwesterny (I know, not a word hehe) fabric that I found at Joann's (after much searching) and the great lining fabric. I also bought a kit to make my own buttons.  :):)

Main fabric, lining fabric, button making kit, and snaps

Self healing mat cutting surface

Cutting my main fabric

Hard at work

After I got all of my supplies together, I started measuring and cutting.  I measured two pieces of fabric 14"x12" in the main fabric for the body of the bag and two pieces in the same size for the lining.  Then I measured one piece in 4"x6" in the main fabric and the same size in the lining fabric for the pocket.  I also cut two strips in 3"x36" for the handle that I ended up twisting because I have such a short torso.  Then I got started on my buttons.  I love them, they are so beautiful.

Cutting out templates for the buttons

Buttons from the lining fabric.

Think they look pretty good.

Sewing sewing sewing

Sewing the pocket into the lining, making sure that it is in the middle.

Sewing the main fabric right sides together. 

Sewing the linting right sides together.

Then I put the lining into the main bag and sewed around the top of the bag to hold the lining in place.  I also sewed the handles into the bag.  It's definitely not professional but I think it looks pretty good for my "first" bag!

All done and exhausted

I sewed a pocket :)

All done :)

I have learned some valuable lessons with this first big project.  First, it's a lot harder to sew a bag than it is to sew a pillow.  Second, I need to measure/cut one day, and sew another day, it is too much to do it all at once.  I hope you enjoyed my second installment of my sewing journey.  Check back sewwn (hehe) to see what else I whip up!  Just got some new fabric in the mail from www.fabric.com so I have some new inspiration.