handmade kate

toting the laptop

There have been so many messenger bags  popping up this fall, so how could I not be inspired to try my own?

I've been wanting a bag big enough for my laptop and a few notebooks.  So using the them as a sizing guide, and relying quite heavily on Stephanie's construction suggestions,  I sewed my own bag together this morning.  The brown fabric is a heavy-weight organic cotton fabric originally intended for a skirt project. For the flap, I used some new Urban Chik's Nest fabric in Green Apple and lined it all with some sunny yellow dots.

   

When I first gave it the "laptop test," the bag flopped and sagged quite unbecomingly.  So back to the sewing room where I ended up stitching three layers of Timtex together, cutting out a rectangle the size of the back panel, and slipping it between the lining and outer fabric.  That seemed to do the trick.  Now off to tote the laptop!

hello there!

Just popping in to say a quick "hello," and that I'm still here.  I've been visiting as I can, but haven't really had the energy to put much into my own little blog.  We had a rough couple of weeks, but after an unintentional little blog-break, I'm quite happy to be back. 

My father-in-law passed away a little over two weeks ago, and although it was a difficult few days leading up to his death, we are all OK.  Lots of "family-time" alternating with lots of sleep around here.  Such a seemingly surreal situation was so exhausting. But all of the support Gary's family received was quite overwhelming.  I had to smile and send up (more than) a bit of thanks as Southern traditions took over and family and friends truly held us up during this time.   Simply Amazing.

And I have so many thanks to send to all of you.  The emails I received while I was "MIA," meant so much to me.  Amazing, again, that so many of you were thinking of me!  I'm trying to respond to you all, but I may be a bit slow.  Until then, know that I was so touched!

I did manage to sneak in a little project over the weekend:

A Built by Wendy hoodie in a soft wool flannel.  I had originally intended to make a matching skirt from my Sew U book (gracious, I've certainly made that pattern enough), but decided it may be a bit overkill, even with some cool brown boots. (I'm thinking lumber-jack kate)  The hoodie turned out to be the perfect weight for a Sunday afternoon hike at Umstead, though.

And look who we got to meet along the way!