The Orange Monster Tote

One of the first things I found during of the last few evenings of fashion magazine inhalation was this purple Dior bag.

It's not exactly like the Hotpatterns Metropolitan tote, but it doesn't have to be for my purposes. First of all, I'm going to reduce the size of the tote so it isn't quite large enoug to carry my cats around in, so I could definitely slant it more in the direction of this Dior bag. I like the seamlines on the Dior - there aren't any on the Hotpatterns bag, but I was neither here or there on that; I knew I could always add them if I wanted.

The orange leather I purchased at Leather, Suede, Skins is actually in large enough pieces that I could make the bag without piecing, but I think this would give a more interesting effect than just flat leather, especially since mine isn't textured. Why did I think I didn't want textured leather? (Probably because it cost the earth, and this only cost a mid-size continent?)

Now I'm off in search of the perfect lining. I do have a ton of home dec stuff in stash, which would add a bit more stability to the bag, and if I put the lining together first, I can muslin out the size of the bag. There must be something with a little orange in it . . .


Parting shot today is Lily, my feline sewing assistant. She's almost the only cat allowed in the workroom - she's very well behaved, except when I'm working with linings. She loves to chew on the slippery fabric and then spend the rest of the night wandering around the house, coughing dramatically and giving me that guilt-inducing face that only a cat can give ... "you made me eat the acetate, you forced it on me, and now I'm choking and it's all your fault." That face.

Retail Therapy

Not that I needed retail therapy, but I was out walking at lunchtime and happened to pass Buffalo Exchange, my favorite consignment shop. I don't buy a lot there - I don't buy a lot of clothes these days, period - but I do like to look at stuff for inspiration. Well, what inspired me today were a pair of ridiculously cute BCBGirls shoes. White, with pink and yellow flowers and tiny little pink kitten heels. In my size. Completely unworn, and only $20. Well, how could I not?

For basically the same price, when you add on shipping, I also acquired one of the new HotPatterns today. While I loved the Carrie-d Away skirt suit (I thought SJP's "vintage" suit was so cute in the SATC movie, though if it was 2008 Christian Dior, why did they call it vintage? Why couldn't they just have found an adorable vintage suit?), I didn't think I would make it anytime soon. I do want to try more wearable HotPatterns one of these days, but going by my previous results I'm not an easy fit and I really didn't feel like making a muslin of that jacket, at least not right now.

The Metropolitan Homage (to YSL) tote bag is a whole different kettle of fish, though. That has my name all over it. I think depending on your choice of fabric or leather, that one has almost everyone's name all over it.

Here's HotPatterns description: "Celebrating the design genius of the legendary Yves Saint Laurent, and inspired by the YSL Tribute bag, this fabulous oversized Tote is designed for decorator canvas, denim, corduroy, twill or brocade-but it will also rock in real or faux suede or leather. Oversized Tote has a darted base, with shoulder straps, snap or magnetic fastening, optional luggage-tag trim, and side zipper openings at each side. Tote is lined with interior zippered, cell phone and small open pockets. This spectacular Tote will make a great everyday bag for all seasons...make it in sturdy canvas for a perfect beachbag; try it in real or faux suede or leather for work; work it up in denim and pad it with some quilt batting for a totally stylin’ laptop/notebook bag."

I may put together a fabric version as a test run and give it to someone as a gift, but to me it's definitely a statement bag and needs to be made up as such. I'm going to stop in at Leather Suede Skins next time I'm in NYC and buy enough leather to make one for myself in screaming red leather. Now that's a statement.