Quick change

I changed the straps of one of Paula's bags. The straps were not long enough to carry the bag cross body so she asked me if I could make them a bit longer.

As the straps were fastened to the body of the bag it took a bit of thinking and adjustment but I think I have made the right choice. I cut both straps and attached a fabric covered ring the same as the ones that were already on the bag. Luckily I had some fabric left to make a further length for the straps, attached them to the straps that were still attached to the other side of the bag, put on a strap adjuster on each strap and he presto, job done.

She also was not very happy with the magnetic fastener so I put two fabric covered buttons on the bag. One to the flap and one to the body of the bag, used a fabric loop to connect both and that was it!

Still with the 'old' straps but with the new closure

New attached fabric covered ring fastened with a rivet

The two new rings

The strap adjusterI 

One very happy customer

Paula, one of my oldest and best friends and also one of my best customers, let me have some pictures of all the bags I made for her in the past 14 months or so. Here are two of the pictures:

Another commission finished

I put the last touches to Paula's latest commission. It was ready except for the metal parts, which I had  ran out of and had to order. I received them yesterday.

It is a Quattro bag with a bit of a twist. She want to be able to carry it across her body (safety, hands free) as well as using it as a shoulder bag and therefore she needed adjustable straps. She wanted the pocket at the front open at the top. On the original pattern this was closed at the top and could only be entered from both sides. I have used two magnetic fasteners so that she can still close it at the top. I have also put a beautiful zipper in in this bag that can be opened from both sides.

The front of the bag with the concealed pocket and the back with a zippered pocket. Of course there are also the two side pockets.

The concealed front pocket with magnet closure

The two-way zipper and the inside of the bag. There are no further slip pockets inside the bag but with a total of four pockets, all the space inside the bag can be used for all other necessary items.

Paula's third commission - finished

So, I finished the bag this morning. The lining is in as is the hard bottom. It is also spayed with aqua stop inside and outside and the bag looks stunning with four outside pockets and one large inside slip pocket:

Paula's third commission - work in progress

Paula's third commission is nearing completion. The bag is made of navy blue faux suede and a blue and white checkered cotton fabric with small white flowers. Inside it just has one large slip pocket or divider panel and outside it has a large zippered pocket at the back, a slip pocket with magnetic fastener on the flap, and a pocket on each side on the gusset. The bag closes with a zip at the top and the flap also has a magnetic fastener.

There is just the lining to be finished and this is made of the same blue and white checkered fabric.

Paula's second commission - finished

I finished it yesterday afternoon, sprayed it today twice with Aquastop and made the pictures. The colours on the screen are not quite de real colours. The faux suede is a very pale grey. The bag has a slip pocket at the front which closes with a magnetic fastener. At the back of the bag is a large zippered pocket and on each side are slip pockets for mobile and glasses. Inside there is one large slip pocket. The bag closes with a zipper at the top and it has an adjustable strap so that it can be worn as a shoulder bag or cross body bag. The lining is a beautiful heavy grey satin fabric.

Paula's second commission

Paula's bag is nearly finished - only the lining still to be done:

Side pockets with button look really smart.

Two commission bags on the go simultaneously

I started Marit's bag but got stuck, so I thought I might as well start Paula's second commission. I am getting on fine now even though the room looks a mess with Tuppy dragging threads all over the place.

Marit's very colourful bag:

The most difficult pocket is done.

As well as the back and front panels.

Paula's black and gray bag:

Back and front panels connected with the bottom part. I'm still waiting for the little feet which I ordered 10 days ago. I will need them for both bags to go with the rest of the fittings.

Buttons for the side pockets are made and ready to be sewn on.

Eggshell faux suede messenger bag

For her second commission bag Paula wanted the side pockets to be a bit wider than the ones on her previous bag but with some embellishment. In order to show her one of the possibilities, I have made this beautiful eggshell coloured faux suede bag combined with a fabric that has a woven pattern of checkers and small flowers. The bag can be worn as a shoulder bag but the strap is long enough to wear as a cross body bag. It has a large zippered outside pocket, a large outside slip pocket and one large slip pocket inside.

As the weather has at last turned to rain (badly needed), I had to take the pictures inside:

Paula's first commission finished - next one starting soon

Finished Paula's first bag today:

Paula's new commission

Waiting for Marit's final okay for her bag, I could not keep my hands off the fabric that Paula choose for one of her two new commissions. I might not have chosen these two colours together but I must admit they complement each other brilliantly and I am very pleased with the result so far: