The Emmaline Bag

This past weekend I had just enough time to make myself a new bag. I wanted a quick sew, as I have a LOT of projects coming up. I had hemmed and hawed over making myself The Emmaline Bag of Emmaline Bags and for whatever reason I had never gotten around to it. I finally decided it was time and got the pattern and headed out for a quick visit to my LQS and picked up an amazing print from the Summer Love line by Pat Bravo. I had circled the store a gazillion times looking for nothing in particular and I kept coming back to this print, so it was meant to be. I paired it with this awesome Squared Elements in merlot and I love how it came out.

Having never made this pattern, I wasn't sure how easily it would come together but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to finish it in an evening. As with Janelle's other patterns, every step is written very clearly and the photos make it super easy to follow along.

I love the overall look of this bag and I'm a sucker for pleats.

The only variation from the pattern I made was instead of making a sleeve in the bottom piece to fit in a piece of template plastic to give structure to the bottom, I used a piece of Peltex instead (call me lazy I suppose).

The interior has both a slip and zip pocket (at this point I don't think a bag is totally functional unless it has an interior zip pocket...maybe so I can pretend to be organized).

I would absolutely recommend this pattern to anyone who is looking for a mid-size hand bag with a unique shape that is beginner friendly. Although it is beginner friendly, it's shape and features make a satisfying sew for anyone who loves to sew bags.

My husband says he likes it because it's not "enormous" like most of the other bags that I carry...sorry I'm a over sized bag girl but this bag is so cute that I am making an exception. I see myself making this bag again, I might even try to enlarge the pattern pieces a bit, but even as it is it would still be considered a perfect purse size by normal standards. In addition to Janelle's awesome patterns in her shop, she has the BEST purse hardware and some bag bling you won't find anywhere else. Go check out her shop and see what I mean!


Happy Hump day!