Sunrise Saddle Bag

I was fortunate to be able to test another bag pattern for Dog Under My Desk this past week. As is always the case, Erin did a superb job of writing the pattern, with attention to every detail and lots of photos to demonstrate the instructions. I can never recommend her patterns enough - they are simply the BEST! This bag went together very well. I love that it has princess seams instead of darts, so even if you don't carry a lot of stuff in it, it still keeps its shape and looks great.

Here is the bag I made for the pattern test. 

It's called the Sunrise Saddle Bag, and the pattern can be purchased here. It was just released this morning, and to celebrate Erin's "30-something" birthday on the 8th, it and all the other patterns are on sale at 30% off through this Wednesday. So now's the time to get this pattern and any others you may have had your eye on!

Here's the back of the bag, which has a zippered pocket.

The inside has a pocket identical to the one on the front that hides under the flap.

There is even extra padding in strategic places to protect your cell phone from the twistlock hardware, should you choose to carry your phone in that front pocket.

Finally, here's my usual silly selfie to give you an idea of the size of the bag. As you can see, it has an adjustable strap so you can use it as a cross-body or shoulder bag.

The pears fabric I used is babywale corduroy from Jess's Spring Quartet collection for Cloud9 Fabrics, which will be available in July. The other is linen.

Check out Erin's blog post here for more details and read about the process she went through in developing this pattern. She really works hard to make sure it's 'just right'!

A challenge

I was challenged on Instagram by Renaissance Ribbons to see if I could make the "cutest project" out of one of their preview ribbon samples that Jess had designed for them. I wracked my brain for a while trying to come up with an idea for something super cute that I could put this ribbon on. Finally I had an idea, so I accepted the challenge and said they could send me the ribbon.

If you've been following me for long, you might remember the Pixie Basket I made just over a year ago. I thought those tiny 4½"-long baskets might be just right for showing off ribbons, and they certainly are. Here's the basket I made, sporting the super-cute husky puppy ribbon, designed by How About Orange (a.k.a. Jessica Jones, a.k.a. Jess, my daughter), which will be available sometime in the future.

Doesn't that just make you want to get a puppy? Er... I mean... buy the ribbon? Or lots of ribbons to make all kinds of baskets?

While I was waiting for the ribbon to arrive (which for some reason took 5 days via Priority Mail from California - I don't think the P.O. gave it much priority), I might  have gotten a little carried away using other Jess-designed ribbons I had on hand.

All those animals on tiny baskets - eeeeeek! So fun!

Then Jess made me take fancy photos...

... which she edited for me so they'd look even fancier!

Whaddya think? A prize-winner for a challenge? Renaissance Ribbons thought so, even though there was no prize involved. It was just for fun. And now I have all these cute baskets that I can gift or something - yay!

Guess what? I have one more, too! Along with some fabric, Jess also sent me another sample of a new ribbon she designed. How's this for fun cuteness?

Which is your favorite? Jess likes the popsicles. They're a close second for me, but I just love the skunks (I never thought I'd say that about skunks - not my favorite animal - ha).

The tutorial for the Pixie Baskets is by Heidi Staples of the Fabric Mutt and can be found here. Instead of cutting and seaming two pieces for each side of the outside, I just cut it the same size as the lining and then sewed on the ribbon after fusing the batting. I once again used the tip found here for closing up the turning hole in the lining.

Speaking of fabric Jess sent me, we have many projects planned for it, so I'd better get busy. Here's what she sent, the Spring Quartet line of babywale corduroy that she designed for Cloud9 Fabrics, which will be available in July. You've seen it before on the little Dumpling pouches I made earlier. I only had small samples at that time, but now I have yardage! So expect to see more of this in the near future. :)