Saturday 1 September 2012

Made by my own fair hands!

I had a fun day yesterday to celebrate the end of the school holidays (where have all those days gone?!) I took the train to Cambridge and spent the afternoon at a quite delightful fabrics and interiors shop called CallyCo, learning how to make a purse. I'd stumbled across a link to the sewing workshops at the start of the holidays, and booked myself a place. I love all the project bags I have from ThreeBagsFull, and thought it would be fabulous if I could learn to make one myself.
The workshops are held in the cellar of the shop, beautifully fitted out with tables covered in pretty vinyl fabric. Each table had a sewing machine along with all the equipment needed to make a zipped, lined purse. Betty, our teacher, was lovely - so kind and patient. She showed us three sizes of bag that we could make and then it was back up to the shop to choose the fabrics. I chose some bright, jewel-like colours for the exterior and a spotty one for the lining. At this stage, I found it hard to believe that in three hours I'd have a finished bag to show off!
 
 
bag making 002


Betty took us through the making step by step, demonstrating anything that was a little complicated. She was so calm that she made it all seem very straight forward. We were given the option of adding some trim to the bag - I chose some ribbon, while others tried their hand at little pompoms and ric rac.
 
bag making 008


As well as helping us with the sewing, Betty kept us supplied with mugs of tea and delicious, squishy chocolate brownies. Mmmmmmmmmmm! By the end of the afternoon, each of us had finished our purses; they were all beautiful and we all felt extremely pleased with ourselves! I hope that I'm going to be able to make another one fairly soon to practise my newly learnt skills.

 
finished bag! 002


I added a little heart shaped button to the zipper tag, and also a beaded zipper pull.


finished bag! 003


I love the spotty lining too!


finished bag! 006


Now I just need to find a knitting project to go in its new home! See you! xxx

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I suspect it won't stay empty for long! It looks lovely - well done

Claire said...

Looks fantastic - clever you

Anonymous said...

I have found your lovely blog whilst suffering from a bout of "blog hopping!" and now I have found you I have become a follower so that I can pop back often!
Kindest Regards Linda

Lizknits said...

Your bag turned out great! I love it!

Celia said...

I love how the bag turned out. The colors are gorgeous!

snoopydogknits said...

That's beautiful!!!!!! You chose some gorgeous fabric and I love the little beaded pull. Have a good week back ;-) RosXX

Spinthrift said...

Oooo - I think I may just have to check out courses at that shop. I celebrated the end of the hols by making myself a dress - but some of the sewing is a little unconventional - could definitely do with some pointers. I love your purse.

Anonymous said...

wow! is there anything you *can't* do?!?!

your bag is gorgeous!!

-melissa

Lynne said...

Wowzers!! That's fantastic!! And it sounds like you had a great day. Good luck with the next one. :)