Bowling anyone?

I am just so pleased that I finished my first real structured purse!

It is the Boyd St. Bowling Bag from Emmaline Bags.

Janelle does an amazing job with this pattern. Very detailed, explained well, and lots of photos, which is really important for me!

Other than my own oops! where I put the pockets in the bottom instead of the top, everything went smoothly.

I used a jeans needle and the walking foot on my Horizon for the whole bag.

I also used purchased leather handles instead of making my own. Fabulous instructions for making the handles in the pattern! I did add the D rings on each end in case I want to add the optional long strap at a later date. 

It fits nicely over my shoulder with the 23" straps, but I'm not sure how comfortable it will be in the winter over a parka!

For the interfacing, I had to use what was available here!

I remembered a trick from last years Purse Palooza, and used a fusible interfacing over top of the Thermolam non-fusible in the lining, which was all I had.

I did the same thing with the heavy sew-in on the exterior-cut the sew-in smaller, and then fused the medium weight over it. That way, I didn't need to baste the sew-in. Couldn't find Shapeflex anywhere.

My exterior fabric is actually Cotton Duck.....from Walmart!!!

This was supposed to be a "test" bag, so I didn't want to go too expensive. However, it turned out so well, I am absolutely using it!

I also used Yarn Dyed Essex Linen in black for the trim, and for the lining zipper gusset.

I didn't look for Peltex, thinking I wouldn't find it, so I used a product I bought a couple years ago for bag bottoms.

. I now have enough Peltex to last me a lifetime from a LQS- Periwinkle!

I even put the feet on the bottom! There is a hardware accessory kit that you can buy from Janelle!

For the pockets, I made both of them zippered and the same size. Added a couple cute zipper pulls....

I was worried about joining the outer shell and the lining shell.

It looked really intimidating!

But, just going slowly, and following the instructions, did the trick!

The lining gusset added to the zipper gusset......

Pretty darned pleased with myself, I must admit! :-)

After I finished it, the dates for Purse Palooza 2013 was announced, and Joanna @ Shape Moth is going to feature this bag!!

Next up, is The Necessary Clutch, also a pattern by Janelle and can be found @ Emmaline Bags.

This clutch is also on the Purse Palooza schedule by Jess @ The Elven Garden 

That's all folks!