tinker

I seldom follow a recipe or pattern, sometimes it's because I don't quite have all the ingredients or materials required. The results can be hit or miss, it often ends up very different to the picture in the book - that's for sure! But sometimes the "tinkering" is because the recipe or pattern just doesn't do what I need/want it to do. That is exactly the case with this bag I made over the weekend.

excuse the pics - with no assistant they are "selfies"

 It's the my version of "new mama every thing tote" from Sweet and Simple handmade by Melissa Wastney. Many years ago now I did a swap with Melissa, one of her tote bags in a gorgeous Ikea fabric and in return I sent her a large bundle of vintage linens for her to turn into baby shoes. I used it lots and still do, although mostly these days as a "crochet project" bag. The main reason I don't still use it? It's straps don't go across my body like a messenger style bag. But I love the style and the deep pleats (which don't really show up well in my pics - but they are there!)

So I made the bag with a long strap, perfect to sling over my shoulder on my bike (that mr A and I use on school and preschool runs). Also because I wanted it for wearing on my bike I added a flap!(with a magnetic clasp) To keep all the contents of the bag on the inside, rather than flying out and off down the road as we bike along. I used an old belt for the "D rings" for the strap and thrifted leather for the flap and strap. My sister gave me the vintage Sanderson linen that forms the shell of the bag. So my bag hasn't turned out as the pattern dictated, but it suits my purposes perfectly! 

By the way if you are ever looking for claps and other findings like that, I can recommend - Craft Runner . I've always found them to deliver quickly and have really good prices, an amazing range of craft products, it also kind of helps that they include a tiny bit of chocolate in each order too! Or maybe that's just for my orders? Either way it's good to support local companies right?