 |
| My spring cleaning project... Sew Sweetness' Oriole Bag |
Yes, I'm surprised as well.
Having not made any bags for quite some time and having had no interest in doing so, I've now made two in the span of three months. What is wrong with me??
This is a 2018 freebie from Sew Sweetness: the Oriole Bag. I found it saved in my Other People's Projects folder. (I'm sure you're familiar with Sara Lawson's work and can google it if you're interested.) The pattern is offered as both a PDF and a video tutorial via YouTube and is available in two sizes. The one you see here is the smaller one, which in my opinion is as big as you might want to get for crossbody use.
 |
| The materials (apart from rivets and ribbon) were all recycled... |
Although it's gusset free, it has a defined three dimensional shape, courtesy of a couple of darts on each side. I've been mulling over an idea for a bag of my own using darts and thought this would be an ideal way to get a feel for how they'd turn out.
 |
| I even have matching sunglasses! |
For once, I didn't customize the heck out of it. I actually left out the only pocket that this bag had going for it — an interior slip pocket — and added a D ring and some ribbon trim on the outside. (A alternate plan for organizing the contents led me to this "no pockets" decision.)
The fusible fleece on the exterior panels also eliminated any urges to customize. It's enough to deal with the thickness — especially around the darts — without trying to cut into it to make other openings. (The pattern originally calls for fusible foam to create an even more structured finish.)
You might be curious about the title of this post. I dug into my "non traditional" pile of fabric to do some spring cleaning — i.e., to see what could I use up — and saw this.
 |
| A curtain panel originally purchased for its grommets... |
I picked up this curtain panel at Value Village almost two years ago, harvesting ten plastic grommets from it. Interestingly enough, I haven't yet used those grommets.
When I removed them, however, I was surprised to discover that the fabric was double layered: it's a deep pink cotton duck covered by a sheer patterned overlay of white polyester.
 |
| Surprise! It's made out of two fabrics... |
Therefore, the two different fabrics that you see are from the same source. But the versatility of the fabric wasn't the only bonus.
Because curtains are sewn up into rectangles, I was able to remove one of the side seams and convert it into the bag's strap. (Sliced it off, unpicked the stitching on one side, refolded it and sewed it up again.)
 |
| Using what you can to save time... |
And since I didn't need to make the strap adjustable, what I harvested off the curtain ended up being just the right length for me. How absolutely serendipitous!
 |
| Primo hardware from an unexpected source... |
Recall my $1 belts from last summer? One of them had this buckle that has now been up/recycled into this cool purse flap closure. The two rectangular rings were also recovered from something, but I don't know what anymore. The D ring was a trim from an old pair of boots.
This is new: floral ribbon glued across the back of the bag.
 |
| Glittery floral ribbon trim... |
I like to add visual interest to both sides of a bag, and this bit of ribbon does the trick.
 |
| Back of the bag... |
Many thanks to Sara for generously creating several freebie bag patterns for the sewing community to enjoy over the years. This is the first that I've attempted and probably one of her simpler styles.
While I like the purse overall, I'm not a fan of how the strap anchors/tabs are done. For such a minor element, they ended up being very fussy to handle and added bulk where I didn't want bulk. (Maybe the "sewing this bag with cotton" option was an after-thought? This particular strap anchor application works/looks best when done with cork or leather.)
I added the rivets after doing the initial sewing. (I then decided to leave the stitching underneath as further reinforcement.) I used four of the small rivets and two of the large ones from the kit that I posted about last week.
 |
| View of the bright interior! |
When I cut the material for the flap, I left the overlay on. Until the last minute, I really didn't know whether I'd keep it or just use the bottom fabric by itself.
 |
| Celebrating spring... |
A check through my closet turns up several items in that immediate colour family. In fact, the same week that I made this purse, I also crafted these similarly hued crepe paper hyacinths! (It's spring, remember?)
 |
| Side view... |
Check out this side view to see how flat pieces can be transformed into three dimensional entities. The darts create room inside this bag without the need for a gusset. Again, I used fusible fleece to interface my exterior fabric, which gives it a softer finish. If you go with the foam option, the bag will likely hold its shape even when empty.
Further on the matter of interfacing, since the cotton duck is already substantial by itself, I didn't add interfacing to any of the other pieces.
Remember I said earlier that I had a plan to organize the contents of this bag beyond pockets? It's with this matching pouch.
 |
| My Oriole Bag "divider" pouch... |
Slipped inside the bag, it effectively divides the interior into two separate spaces with a zippered pocket in the middle. ('Cause how can I have a bag without a zippered pocket?)
 |
| A snug fitting zippered pouch can act as a divider for a purse... |
I don't have a pattern or tutorial for the pouch to share with you. (If you need to see something similar, check out my mini retro reticule.) It's just four panels of fabric sewn up to a zipper with tabs at both ends; i.e., your basic lined zippered pouch.
For the outside, I wanted to feature some more of the flowered ribbon, so I cut the overlay shorter and added the ribbon as trim across the exposed edge. (This also made it easier to attach the zipper, since I didn't have to deal with the flimsy overlay.)
 |
| A matching set! |
In hindsight, I should have cut the top part of the pouch so that it tapers inwards a bit, but this was one of those "be creative on the fly" projects that wasn't thought about in great detail before it was done.
 |
| For an idea of scale... |
When I look at this purse, I'm propelled back in time to my university years. Lilac — the colour — was all the rage one spring, and I had a complete outfit in various shades, topped off by a canteen style crossbody bag... also in lilac. I have a clear memory of that warm "spring has finally sprung" day when I headed off to class in my light purple ensemble.
I'm no longer drawn to lilac, but this pink/rose bag carries a similar spring time vibe for me. It's not ever going to be an everyday purse, but it's cheery and fun and assures me that the dreariest days of winter are behind us.
Everyone should make a spring time bag... even if you don't channel Scarlett O'Hara to do it!
Very clever idea to make the zippered pouch just the right size to use as a divider in your new bag!! Loving all the rivets and hardware - a lovely bag.
ReplyDeleteI made the large Oriole last year and still have not posted about it. It was a bit larger than I expected it to be and should have opted for the smaller one. Seeing your bag, I think the smaller version is a nicer size. You added some fun touches to yours. Perhaps now while I am seeing your bag, I will post mine finally.
ReplyDelete