More Phoebe Bags!

I made the bag in this tutorial a few months ago, and loved the way it turned out so much that I couldn't wait to make some more!

Need a purse?  Because I've got a few.

I knew this would be the perfect use for the random yardage of this beautiful Amy Butler Passion Vine print (the bag on the left) that I picked up at a local consignment store for $5.  It's home decor weight, and I've been parsing it out in tiny little projects because I just couldn't bear to use it up until I'd found the perfect thing.  This purse was it.

Whee!  I love a contrast lining!

I also had this cool purple/spring green print (the lining for the bag on the bottom/right) that I wanted to use for a friend, but I knew it would be a beast to match.   I took both pieces of fabric to the mecca that is Fabric Depot, and amazingly found fabrics to coordinate with both in the "yard sale" area, so the prices were decent too.  The bag in the center was made with reversible home-decor weight fabric, found at the same neighborhood consignment store ($3 for a 60" yard!), so I could use both sides to make the exterior and the contrast lining/pocket.  I actually decided to use the lining side for the magnetic tab closure as well, just to show the other color a bit more. 

Can I just say how happy the magnetic closure makes me?  Not only are they totally easy to install, but they are also cheap (a 3-pack for $1.99!) and it makes the bag seem very professional (i.e. not homemade) to me.  The simple darts on the bottom edges also add structure and more of that professional look, but are actually very easy to execute.

If you need a mid-size, easy to make, easy to customize bag, this is it!  I love carrying my bag around and it's so fun to make as a gift. The tutorial (here it is again) includes printable pattern pieces and easy-to-follow directions, and a bag only takes 1/2 yard of each fabric (exterior, interior, and fusible fleece interfacing) plus the magnetic closure. I listed a few things I thought might be helpful while making this bag when I did it the first time, so check that out if you plan on sewing this.