Meet my fabulous Glitz Blitz Travel bag! It involved successfully putting in a shockingly good-looking metal zipper and sewing with leather. Consider it true love.
It started a few weeks ago when the folks at Michael Miller emailed me wondering if I would be interested in receiving some of their Glitz fabric, making something and blogging about it. I almost fell out of my chair. Me? Of course I said yes. I was expecting to get a yard or so of fabric and was literally floored when a huge bag of fabric arrived the next day.
I’m really psyched about this fabric. And, not just because they flattered me. C’mon, It’s gold with pastel! Shiny, awesome gold highlights…on chevron and tiny-dot ombre as well as fantastic bold polka dots. What is not to love? It’s just really exciting. After much hemming and haw-ing (should I make a girly, ruffly dress for one of our little friends? Or a necktie for the boys in mint and gold?!) I decided to make a travel bag with the leather bottom. It’s the same leather I used to make my necklace. This glitz-y fabric was just begging to be paired with something neutral and quite honestly I wanted to make something for myself with this lovely stuff.
For Christmas I received a subscription to Creativebug, so I watched Betz White’s class on making a travel bag and used her pattern. I was a little worried that it would be hard to work with the leather but it wasn’t.
A couple of things I learned about leather: Always use a leather sewing needle and 100% polyester thread. You CAN iron leather, just use a good pressing cloth, never iron directly on the leather or it will leave a shiny mark and make you sad. You can even iron enough to adhere leather to interfacing, which was a delightful thing to discover. Just don’t ever forget that pressing cloth. I may need to raid the thrift shop of leather now.
I added an inside, elasticized pocket because it’s always nice to have extra pockets inside a glamourous travel bag.
I was very pleased I managed to align the stripes well around the beautiful zipper.
It’s hard to tell the size of the bag so I included one of me holding it. It’s a tiny thing, really, but just the right size for the very few fancy things I usually bring with me when I travel. I’m not really a makeup girl in normal life but you know when you travel sometimes there are special occasions.
I ended up making a second bag and I’m tempted to make a few more. It always amazes me how quickly a 2nd or 3rd item come together. Now that I know the joys of sewing with leather and gold, I’m feeling unstoppable. (Taps fingertips together in the universal symbol of evil villain-esse).
The bag is elegant and fun at the same time. You rock, Melissa!
Thank you lovely friend.
Wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed making it and good for you for trying it with leather. Bravo!
Betz! You are a great instructor and your bag pattern makes me look good! Thanks for the encouragement.
LOVE! I’ve been playing with leather for a while, but nothing “formal”. I downloaded a leather sewing class from Craftsy before Xmas in the hopes of finding time to learn more about the craft…someday I’ll get to it!
This bag is beautiful!!!!
Ooh fun! We can play with leather together!
I love this! What a great use of the fabric!
Thanks Courtney!
GORGEOUS! that is all I can say.
Fine, one more thing to say – they picked the right gal and you picked the perfect thing to make. Because if I just say the fabric, maybe I wouldn’t be wowed. Now, after seeing your bag, I gotta have some!!!! But is it not out yet?? I can’t find it!!
You are just the sweetest! Thank you. I have to say you might just fall in love if you saw it in person. I didn’t know it wasn’t out yet! Hmm….looks like you’ve got some sweet anticipation ahead of you. 🙂
It’s amazing. Are you going to bring it to Nashville??
Yes! In a manner of speaking. 🙂
Hi! I saw this fabric at an online vendor and would love it to make table runners for my sisters bridal shower. In person how would you describe the “mist” color? I’m unfamiliar with it and computer screens I’m sure don’t do it justice. Would you say it is more of a blue or could it pass as mint green? We are pretty set with specific colors, so your help is appreciated! Awesome bag btw!! 🙂
Hey Celeste! Thanks for being so sweet. I would definitely categorize it as mint green…a light mint. It’s a great color. Good luck!!