Found a wonderful {free} sewing pattern online last week for a gorgeous handbag that is surprisingly simple to make. The directions are so clear, well-written and easy to follow. I am completely in love with the Coco Bag by Chris W. Designs!
Let me preface this by sharing that I am in total destashing mode. The shelves in my studio are crammed full of fabric and yarn and scrapbooking supplies and I have vowed to use what I have, only buying necessities for a while.
The fabrics I chose to use for my first Coco are a woven green home decor with brown dots along with a couple of quilting cottons -- the question mark swirly pattern is the accent fabric and the tiny white on brown polka dots is the lining fabric:
Christine's pattern is a downloadable PDF, very easy to follow ...
I adore the way the tiny darts shape the beautiful bag bottom ...
This is the first time I've used a magnetic snap. Had some on hand from a store that closed a while back ...
I did make a few changes to the original instructions and materials. I interfaced all pieces with heavy-weight 809 Decor Bond and omitted the fleece interlining. The bag is sturdy and stands up on its own.
Rather than the hollow piping called for in the handles, I used cording and attached the handles to the bag flat since I did not have the hardware Christine used.
It's a beautiful bag, a brilliant pattern and I can't wait to make another one!
So many projects, never enough time ...
