
Last week I spent much of my time working on a new bag design. I recently sat down in a shop next to Joanne (we were there for the long haul, so it seemed a sensible thing to do) when I noticed that she had a
wonderful tote bag with a central split in the middle revealing the most scrumptious green Amy Butler print. Joanne summed its loveliness up perfectly when she said: well, you don't always want a bag that's got colour and pattern all over it. And with all the
suggestibility of a
Stepford Wife, I found myself nodding my head and thinking: Damn it, she's right. I don't always want a bag that has a pattern all over it (although, sometimes I do...for there's fun to be had in being a changeling). The bag I eventually came up with has the same outline shape as my
Melly bag, but with a different arrangement making up the
inline (is that a word?) shape.

My lovely Mama popped round while I was mid-make. She has become so used to the constant production line that dominates my room that she has long since ceased to notice whatever it is that I'm working on and gets down to the happy business of tea-drinking and chatting while I cut things out and scuttle round trying to
de-thread the carpet so that she doesn't go home with an extra coat. But most pleasingly, she set upon my new bag,
ooohed and
ahhhed in the most gratifying way and declared that she must have it, despite the fact that doesn't actually need another bag...which was perfect as it was at just the right point in production that I was able to make the handle a little shorter than usual for her, which is just the way she likes them. Here I am with it in one of those
weirdy self-portrait photos that one
occasionally feels compelled to take...yeah, that's me...just lounging against the wall...oh and I just happened to press the self-timer button before I began lounging. There's something so silly about it.

I created a narrow horizontal flap of material to visually tie up the two pleats of colour on either side, and have done the same thing inside to give the internal pockets a little more interest and detail.

I enjoyed making it so much that the minute I'd finished I started on this creamy lemony version, which is destined for my shop once I've taken some proper photographs of it.

Here's the inside purse and phone pockets:

I really want to make one of these bags for myself, but feel utterly indecisive as to what colour will go best with all my summer clothes...you'd think that I might just make them up in every colour...but somehow I find that I feel guilty making things for myself when I should be putting them in my shop.
Anyway, I have an appointment with a box of shoes now, so must go. Wishing you happy Mondays. x