Proud as a Peacock?

Okay, so I won't lie. I recently stopped checking Facebook and Instagram as much because seeing photos of people enjoying spring and almost summer weather makes me a little bit upset. How long will I have to wait for a real spring here in Scotland? Who knows... I don't even have great motivation to make summer clothes for myself from all those beautiful fabrics that I accumulated over the last months. I still wear my winter boots and furry vest and coat. Even when it is sunny, the wind is just unbearable...

But enough moaning. I still try to stay optimistic and at least I can enjoy making summery bags and imagine all the people who might buy them and wear them in all those beautiful, sunny places.

A lot of the time I use my own patterns to make bags. I have a nice library of ready patterns too, many of which I haven't used yet. However, when I saw this pattern when it was recently released by PDF Sewing Patterns, I fell in love with it.

I like the softness of the shape and structure. Usually, I like when bags are stiff and keep their shape. But this one is soft and there is something romantic about it. I think it is a really flattering and feminine design.

I always treat a ready pattern more as a guide, never stick strictly to the suggestions because I like to add my own ideas too, to make it more individual.

I chose an upholstery velour fabric with a peacock feathers pattern from Tkaniny Karoliny and added a trim of turquoise pompoms.

The strap is made of a combination of green webbing tape, Washpapa (washable craft paper) in Sahara colour and two silver rings. I made it slightly longer than the pattern suggests as I still have in mind that some people might use the bag while wearing jackets and I didn't want it to be too tight/short. It can be easily shortened, like a belt, because I used Chicago studs to attach it. 

Recently, I liked the idea of adding a tag with my logo to every bag, but this time I wasn't sure where would be the best placement for it. Usually, I would sew it into a side seam, but that would have spoiled the pompom effect. I thought about a patch on the front, but I didn't want to cover the beautiful peacock pattern. I decided to make a charm/tag with a tassel that is attachable with a lobster clasp. I used Washpapa and it all worked out very nice. 

The bag is very spacious inside and finished with a blue lining. There is one pocket inside. I was glad that earlier I ordered different colorful zips, as I really like this turquoise one, which matches the peacock feathers pattern.

Another bag in this style is coming soon while I wait patiently for spring to arrive to Scotland.