A few weeks ago, I was in our local little fabric store picking up some pretty silk/cotton fabric that my friend Jenny was going to sew into a dress for Selma. I do not have a good relationship with my sewing machine. I think about those VW commercials from the 90s where they talked about “farfegnugen,” which I think was defined as “the union between car and driver.” Well, this is the opposite of how I feel with a sewing machine. It seems like more of a battle.
However, I while I was picking out fabric, I saw a bag on the counter that used these amazing GIANT grommets to thread the handles through. And Diana, who owns the shop says casually, “oh, yes, I’m offering a class in this bag–it is so easy, just two squares. I’m sure you could do it.” I was drawn in by a grommet.
But, on Sunday, we had the class, and what do you know? I actually DID do it!
Picking out the fabric maybe took as long as the sewing. Of course there was all the cutting and pinning and ironing too, which made the very full class run a bit long. But in the end, we all had bags. I wish I had pictures of the others because they were all different and all amazing. I did get a bit more comfortable with the sewing thing, and learned a few cool tips, like using masking tape to help get straight lines when top-stitching. A revelation!
Now that I have the bag, I love a lot more about it than just the grommets. I love that it stands up by itself, and I love the size–it’s a perfect knitting bag. The straps can be held together over one shoulder or long across the body, which is my preferred way to carry a bag–I’m less likely to set it down and leave it. and when you’re holding it that way, the strap acts as a closure too. It’s a clever design. The pattern, by Debbie Bowles, is called “Wallet and Grommet” because there’s a wallet pattern that I didn’t make along with the bag, and it’s from Maple Island Quilts.
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