There Has To Be An Easier Way

The strap is finally in the Grids and Grommets bag, but I am not happy at all with the results. Take a look for yourself...

First, the darn thing is too thick - I think I bought cording that was larger than what the pattern called for. It is so thick, in fact, that it's hard to slide it through the grommets. Second, I need to take the strap out and rethread it - the part that is on the outside should be on the inside...grrrr. Finally, getting that cording into that sleeve was darn near impossible! My fingers hurt for a long, long time after tugging, pulling, sliding, and yanking on it. I would have been wise just to make a strap like on the other bags I made. And this pattern does give that option. I just liked the look of the cording.

So now, what to do? Undo what I've got and rethread it properly? Even though it is thicker than what suits me? Or scrap the whole thing and make a strap to insert?

I do like the looks of this bag, and it works great when pulled out on one side and carried across the body - hands free bag! Nice for traveling, I think.

I'm glad I made this, and I love the fabric and grommets; I'm just not thrilled with the strap...

I have really enjoyed reading all the posts from the bloggers who attended Quilt Market in Minneapolis this past weekend. They share such great pictures and stories. It almost makes up for the fact that they are there, and I am not! I have enjoyed these, in particular: Charming Chatter, Spun Sugar Quilts, and Jolly Jabber.

Another Purse

After making 2 Tulip bags on Monday and Wednesday of last week, I spent part of Thursday and Friday working on a different pattern for a 3rd purse.

This pattern is called Grids and Grommets; it's by Indygo Junction. I bought the pattern last month when I was on the Shop Hop, after seeing the bag made up and displayed in one of the shops. I also bought a pack of grommets at the same store.

The fabric is entirely from my stash, and I cannot identify the maker. It's Provence by Timeless Treasures. Just found a selvage of it in the waste basket in my sewing room! No wonder it looks French -- it is!! It has a very French look to it, don't you think?  If anyone recognizes it, please let me know. It's fairly obvious that I still need to make the strap. The pattern gives two options. One is made of fabric lined with fusible fleece. The other option uses a very thick cording covered with the same fabric as the purse. This is the option I want, but little did I know how hard the cording would be to find! I saw it in the store with the pattern and grommets, but didn't think to get it there. How I wish I would have!

After checking several places in town, and a couple of on-line stores, I stopped in at our local Hobby Lobby this evening. I didn't see it anywhere in the fabric/notions area, but had a last-minute thought to check out the upholstery department. Voila!!! There it was! I got enough to make the handle for this purse, and one more; I bought another pack of grommets while I was there, too.

I should have gone ahead to make the strap this evening, but I vegged out instead. So it is #1 priority for me tomorrow.