DIY- Catch-All Bag

Liz Stanley got to me this morning,I saved one of her entries as a favorite a while back. Her blog entry on how to make a boxy makeup bag got me thinking about the tornado in  my purse/bag. I have a bag for each little thing which I really don't need and usually rummage around these said bags until I find some random item.

I mean take a look...this is all emergency/dental/warpaint stuff that I haven't yet managed to say no to during the week. Martha Stewart and MacGyver have nothing on me! And the leopard print bag with turquoise trim? How about it has a cat bell...I jingle everywhere! There is no being smooth when you're trying to take your compact out and swear you're going to see a cat rounding the corner. 

So thanks to Granny for letting me at her stash and a dainty, unassuming zipper, I created something that will do for now. (To guys, that means more to come- Bwahaha!) I like items that describe me, and this box is pretty much amazingly close to it. You swear you're looking at a boring little zippered box/bag and once you open it- BAM! Color and craziness galore. I love it! *Squeal*

Now, for a few pointers on Liz's instructions..

When  you are constructing the box, I like to go over the seam 3 times. I don't know how I do it but I manage to man-handle it and next thing I know- hole. Ugh...So for me, I have to protect it from myself.

I also add a zig-zag stitch...I don't own a serger and for some odd reason, my brain is telling me this is going to help even more. Just humor me..

Now, onto the 4 points. I press the seam down and then insert a pin right along that seam. This allows me to match up the pressed seam to the sewn seam so much easier. you can feel when  you have the two right on top of each other.

And if you did it right, you get owl ears... this is how I know I got it spot on, weird but it works!

I measure each line as close as I can to match the others. Again sewing 3 times and then snipping off at roughly 1/4" hem.

So much better, now all of this is in one bag and I'll be fine digging through just that.

And just because he was being cute while watching me work, I had to get this quick picture of Geoffrey. I'm not sure if this is boredom, contentment or just wanting attention away from this bag. Or maybe he's loving life and is showing how comfy he is. Well, it worked, he's such a cute little string bean. Love him to bits!

Hugs,

A.