Mustard yellow leather bag
7 May 2009, 13:02This bag was long overdue, so I finally managed to squeeze in another HotPatterns Nairobi bag this weekend, made for about the 6th time now(?) I think!
It was originally a download-only freebie pattern, but it’s been long discontinued until a few weeks ago, when they started selling it again in paper form for a limited time! I highly, highly recommend getting this pattern if you don’t have it already!
I find it’s really difficult to photograph bag linings once they’re done, so I’ve taken some photos of the lining before assembly so you can clearly see my pockets!
Here’s the side with my organisational pockets (and the reverse so you can see the stitching lines). From the left I’ve got: my FehrTrade Moo cards (with the removable key leash attached to the edge), two pen pockets, a headphone pocket with a velcro strap (the shape of the headphone case means it’s always popping out otherwise!), and my Oyster card / business card pocket.
And on the other side, I’ve got two zippered pockets. The top (red) one is for miscellaneous small stuff like chapstick, USB keys, nail files, tiny mirror, etc. The smaller (green) pocket is made of fleece with the exception of the top strip, and is a lovely cushiony home for my iPhone!
The mustard yellow leather was something I’ve had in mind for my next handbag for ages now, but I usually get my leather very cheaply from the leather jacket shops near my office and they’ve only got limited colours like black, brown, claret, and dark green. So I bought this super soft leather on Goldhawk Road and even though it was twice the price (still, under £30 for the two skins) I’m really happy I stuck around for the colour I’d been dreaming of.
Leather’s really not difficult at all to sew yourself, either. You just need a leather needle and either a roller, teflon, or walking foot, and a few paperclips to hold it all together instead of pins. I never use an iron, either, instead just pressing seams open with my fingers on my sewing desk.
This bag is a really quick one for me to whip up now, even with all my lining customisations. I sewed up the lining after about two hours on Sunday, and then that long again on Bank holiday Monday and I’ve transferred my things over and wore it out to work on Tuesday!
Here it is with its most recent predecessor:
Yes, I used the same Alexander Henry lining on both, but that’s because I really like it and it makes me happy to see it each day! And this is my third straight Nairobi bag in a row, with various pocket improvements along the way. I made my last one (seen above) in November 2007, so that’s a good 18 months of hard wear, (ab)using it every day. You can’t get much more useful than something you’ll be seen with nearly every day, so it’s got to be functional, hard wearing, AND stylish, which these bags totally are.
You know what? I think this version is even better! And that’s not just because my brand new red passport arrived today!!
As you’ll recall, I only naturalised as a British citizen two months ago so this is very, very exciting! (and we’re not allowed to smile or wear glasses in British passport photos, fyi).
Tags: bag, hot-patterns, leather
this bag is beautiful! i have been sewing for years, but making bags has never been intriguing to me! but now, i don’t know, i might have to make one! beautiful.
— marni May 7, 01:33 PM #
Beautiful bags! I love the lining, what a great touch!
— Michelle May 7, 01:46 PM #
The problem with your blog, is that I come away from it thinking, ‘of course I can make that’!! It makes it hard to go shopping for ‘stuff’…
Beautiful bag, well made, very very good lineing!!!
— tg33 May 7, 03:23 PM #
I love, LOVE your new bag! And I feel very honored that you visited my little blog! Thank you so much. And I am so happy to hear that you found a match! That is an amazing gift! I will keep you in my thoughts for a successful and speedy recovery.
— Elizabeth May 7, 03:28 PM #
That is SUCH a fabulous handbag! I’ve only made a couple of fun clutches, but I do think I should take handbag making a bit more seriously.
— Emily May 7, 07:14 PM #
So weird that you can’t smile in the pic! Love the bag. I may have to buy that pattern, as I missed the download first time around.
— The Slapdash Sewist May 7, 07:19 PM #
Thanks for the reminder about this pattern. I really need to pull it out and make one.
— stacy May 7, 09:01 PM #
Wow, I can’t wait to use that pattern (which you sent as part of my guess-the-tube-stop prize)! We just moved so all my sewing stuff was packed away but now I have my own craft corner, so that’s my next project.
— Nadia May 7, 09:11 PM #
The fleece pocket is genius! It would be great for sunglasses, too.
— Terri May 7, 09:28 PM #
Don’t you worry that the fleece might cause so much static it’d fry all your music?? I’ve been watching every one of those bags with envy, but the yellow leather is really pushing me over the edge. It’s easy to sew leather, eh?
— Marie-Christine May 7, 11:33 PM #
Beautiful bag! You make such lovely things. The leather looks lovely to touch as well as stylish.
I would recommend that you hide your birthday on your passport to guard against identity theft.
— BeccaA May 8, 01:33 AM #
Great bag! Have you made the Hot Patterns bag with the ruffles? I got that as a free download, and have yet to make it.
— gwen May 8, 01:57 AM #
Hello Melissa,
fabu bag!!! and congrats on your new passport:-)
— marita May 8, 06:47 AM #
i love your new bag! do you think i could make this pattern with fabric instead of leather? love your little pockets :)
— Cristina May 15, 10:29 AM #
AWESOME!!!
(Btw, the Manequim magazine is on its way to meet you now!)
— Tany May 23, 09:21 PM #
Just hopped over to look at this post again after seeing your note on Dawn’s blog, Two On, Two Off (for some reason, the comment form won’t allow the link).
I love your customized pockets! Not to mention the contrast between the classic (and wonderful) mustard color and the off-the-wall wonderful lining. So much fun, Melissa!
— Noile Apr 14, 04:47 PM #