I just think making one of a kind purses bags and totes is the best thing ever. I know a lot of fashionistas want the latest Coach, Prada or whatever, but give me a handmade one of a kind something that someone put their heart and soul into and I am HAPPY. I have sooo many purse patterns that I am going to dive into head first but I decided to start with the City Bag - so named by it's designer Lazy Girl. This bag is roomy, has 10 pockets, 8 on the inside and 2 on the outside.  My daughters tell me that quilted bags are fairly popular on the fashion scene and costly for good ones. If you are like me, a sewing room full of fabric, you can have one for small investment and not only that but these make the greatest of gifts.

    In this pattern you quilt a large piece of fabric by layering your outside bag fabric, warm and natural batting or equivalent, and I used muslin for the 3rd layer although the pattern does not require that.  After quilting the layers you cut the piece in half for the front and back.   I chose to use 2 coordinating prints but think this bag would be great in coordinating solids or just 1 solid print. I bought a stippling foot for my Viking machine and had not had a chance to use it yet. I am very pleased with the results of my first stipple quilting. Most of you already know that stippling is lowering the feed dogs on your sewing machine and removing the presser foot so you can control the movement of your fabric. When you stipple, you move the fabric around randomly making swirls and twirls of stitching. Now it's time to make your pockets for the front and back of the bag.

    The front pocket is made in a different print if you like and the back pocket is made from the same print as the bag. The back pocket goes across the entire width of the bag so it's useful for many items.  After pockets are in place on the bag front, back, and the 2 lining pieces,  the linings are sewn to each piece. Then the zipper goes in by Lazy Girl's no fear zipper technique.   Add handles, sew the completed front and back together, add buttons and VOILA a one-of-a-kind stylish bag for your self or as a great gift. You can add an acrylic base by Lazy Girl to add stability to the bottom of the bag if you like. Pictures below show the bag in progress. Try making one in your own special fabrics for gifts or to match a favorite outfit.

Stipple Quilting on Purse from Interlining side	Purse Front with Pocket Flap Up	Purse back  with handle and zipper in progress
Purse Back with lining showing	Purse Front with Pocket Closed	Finished Purse

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