I barely finished the bag in time for my daughter's surgery last week. I left it in her room as a surprise for her to see when she woke up that day. When she awoke, she came in to my room and asked me why I had left my purse in her room. It took a bit of convincing to explain to her that it was hers.I helped her pick out things to pack in it for the hospital and I think it was a good activity to brighten up her outlook on the day. It was the perfect bag for all her comfort items and essentials: panties, socks, pull-ups, blankie, peach-scented tissues, Hello Kitty container with chap stick and hair bands, favorite books, DVDs, bento box with snacks, pajamas, "cutie-petutie" mini moopy, etc.
Finally found a good place for another super-cute item, a Meomi pin
I was pretty happy with how the bag turned out. I only have two complaints. Where I put elastic in the inside pockets, it caused my bag to pucker inwards at the sides. I actually really like the way the pockets turned out and I think they are really convenient for those little nick nacks but I should have simply cut the pocket longer so that when the elastic was attached, the elastic would end up the same width as the original pattern width. The other issue was that I still felt the bag was a bit soft on the top panels by the zipper. I didn't put Timtex in this area and kind of wish I had although, truthfully I don't know how I would have managed to sew through it. It was hard enough without any extra interfacing.
I went to the Hello Kitty store at the mall and found this super-cute key chain that I used for the zipper pull. It has a mirror on the back. I wasn't able to find bag feet at any of the local fabric and craft stores. So frustrating. But I was able to find them reasonably priced, more importantly with reasonably priced shipping online at www.lucysfabrics.com. 
I think I would have preferred the feet that are a little bit bigger with the rounded bottom, but I figured these would be fine for a child's bag.
It turned out perfect!
ReplyDeleteOk...why do I just want to squeeze your daughter's cheeks. She is so adorable, and the bag is to die for! I'm a huge hello kitty fan!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a special gift for your little one. It's perfect! I'm sure it helped her through her day.
ReplyDeleteI came over through Flickr and I am so glad I did. Your blog is wonderful!
Sarah
I am so sorry to bother you, but I found your site trying to find the cafe apron pattern. I so want to make the potholders. Would you happen to know if anyone is selling them, or if you could possibly copy it for me and I could pay for your expenses? Thanks so much for your time. Kim
ReplyDelete~ Kimberlee ~
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find your e-mail. Thank you for the comments. Sorry to dissappoint but someone already asked me for that pattern to make the apron and I sent it off to them. I don't know why they're not making it any more.
The mitt pattern is super simple though. If you give me a couple days, I can probably trace it off and e-mail you a copy. Send me your e-mail address.
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make|me|studio
Your work is beautiful! I own so many Amy Butler patterns but for some reason I am to chicken to make a bag. Your Sophia is gorgeous I love Japanese fabrics and hello kitty so much!!! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteJust in case you didn't get my email to you, it's bermudarainbow@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the sohpia carry all you made for your daughter. Your attention to detail such as the elaticized pockets and the hello kitty zipper pull are amazing! I hope everything with your daughter's surgery went well. I'm sure her little care package was most comforting.
ReplyDeleteI also made the sohpia bag, and thought it turned out pretty well... although the cording on the bottom panel was awkwark and problematic at times.
I used a colorful Japanese fabric with as silky/ satin-ish material for the lining. I wanted it to feel kind of luxurious from the inside.
My mom and I each made one of these bags and we tried different creative designs for the inside pockets. She included a flapped cell phone pocket and we both used 7 inch zippers to make other little knick knack pockets. I also included some pen pouches as well.. hopefully very handy.
Great to see your finished product. Thanks for the great post.
It is super cute. I want one too :-)
ReplyDeleteThis bag is beautiful, i bought this pattern at xmas and still haven't worked up the guts to try it, i spent a fortune on the amy butler materials for it and have been too scared i'll mess it up. I also have a 3 year old who has a birthday soon and i wouldn't have dreamed this would make a gift for him, but its great. So thanks for these helpful posts, i will make my little boy one as a practice, and then make an expensive one for my trip to berlin next month!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog by the way x
This time, I'm jealous:))))
ReplyDeleteI ♥ your Sophia bag!
I'd like to do it but I'm afraid I'm not skilled enough...
I absolutely love your version of this bag, so cute and such fun fabric......just love it - and am very jealous of your daughter and hope she is healing well. Lovely blog :)
ReplyDeletewow love the bag ,, this make me want to just go and do one ,,, your's blog is so much helpful love all your's posts
ReplyDeleteOMG! this bag is beautiful! I was hesitant to purchase this pattern because I couldn't visualize how pretty it would look like when completed. The fabric choice made all the difference. I might just have to try it now.
ReplyDeleteI am getting ready to tackle this bag and I've made notes based on your post. Quick question...where did you find a purse zipper? That is the one thing I'm having a problem finding.
ReplyDeleteHi There!
ReplyDeleteYour bags are BEAUTIFUL. I just found out this Sophia Carry-all bag. I tried to buy the pattern but it looks like they do not sell it any more :(. By any chance do you still have the pattern, if so, would you sell it to me? P L E A S E.
Thank you very much!
Monika