Bags, For the Uninitiated

I’ve got another book review for you today! I just got Bags: the Modern Classics, by Sue Kim, from my local library, and I am in love. I am going to start making a bag right away, the Chic Hobo Bag. AND I’m going to trace all the pattern pieces to play with after I return the book, AND I’m going to buy this book!!! It’s that good.

Buy the book online: Amazon

Check it out from your local library: WorldCat

Really, if you like the idea of sewing your own bags but feel that the time (and money) spent on acquiring and wrangling bag hardware make the exercise not worth it, this is the book for you. Most of the bags Ms. Kim designed require only fabric, thread, and sewing machine, especially the bigger bags. I absolutely love that! I don’t want to buy expensive hardware, and frankly, I love simple, cloth bags – you can throw them in the washer when they get grody. Amirite?

Anyway, this is the fabric I’m going to use for the CHB – isn’t it spectacular? As a first generation American (US) of Nigerian extraction, I am sensitive to the bland interpretation of all things ‘African’ according to American sensibilities. When I saw this fabric, though, it spoke to me. Not only is it my signature color palette (red-black-white), it also has that faux-African thing going on in a much less obnoxious, plastic way. Yay for interpreted heritage! (And speaking of heritage, I do actually have fabrics purchased in Nigeria, some of which I will soon be sewing with. Exciting!)

I expect this bag will only take an afternoon, so stick around to see my version of Ms. Kim’s lovely design – and also my review on the quality of her instructions. Yay!

Wrap This One and Tie It With a Bow

I’m sure you’ll recognize the Hounds scarf I am wearing from a previous post, and you got a sneak preview of this skirt in the video I made for Hounds – so now, here is the skirt in all its glory!

This project was satisfying because I finally did a waistband up to my standards. (Like most sewers, everything must be *perfect* or it Doesn’t Count.) I am already looking for more projects with waistbands, so I can keep hitting sewing home runs!

The other reason this project was satisfying was how pretty the end result is! My store bought wardrobe is fairly drab, and completely lacking in purely pretty pieces. So it’s a great joy to have such a lovely skirt in my collection, and that I made it myself makes it that much sweeter.

I used McCall’s pattern 5430 for this project. I added several inches of width along the center front and center back lines to accommodate my hips. I also combined the pockets from view C with the flounce-front in view A. I followed the pattern instructions pretty closely, and I am quite happy with their clarity and sequencing. I definitely recommend this pattern.

On to more sewing! I wonder what is next …

The Look and a Grain of Salt

Today’s book is The Look: A Guide to Dressing from the Inside Out, by Randolph Duke. (See if your local library has this book on WorldCat, or buy it on Amazon.)

In my quest to read everything on personal style, dressing, and fashion, I rather dubiously checked out a slick-looking book called “The Look” from the library. It wasn’t a waste of time, but watch the video for the inside scoop on this effort.

Wacky and Eccentric and Oh-So-Fun

I recently read some books on personal style and individuality, and just had to share my thoughts on them. The books are Wacky Chicks and Eccentric Glamour, both by Simon Doonan. They are both interesting, entertaining reads in their own rights, though I gave the edge to one of them in my video review. Enjoy!