The Petrillo Bag and Greenbacks Wallet #2

I’ve been so excited to make one of Sara Lawson’s (Sew Sweetness) patterns.  I have several of her patterns (plus her new book!), and finally had the opportunity to get one sewn up this past week.  Mister’s granddaughter celebrated her 18th birthday, so I figured The Petrillo Bag and a matching wallet would be nice (with some cash in the wallet of course… you can’t give someone an empty wallet, that totally sucks!).

Let me just start by saying that Sara’s patterns are AWESOME-SAUCE.  Having said that, it’s important to note that I can’t seem to help deciding to do a brand new pattern mere days before a gift is due.  Somehow the “Hey, why don’t you do a trial run and see if this will work out ok” thought process doesn’t make it through my head.  So, with five days before the birthday (which is A LOT of time, given my history) I started the bag.  Then promptly lost two days of sewing time because of kidlet errands.  *sigh*  It’s always the way, no?!  Anyway, I managed to squeeze an hour or two within those two days to get the fabrics ironed, starched, cut, and interfacings fused on.  Thank. Goodness.

Despite thinking I was going to have to nix making the wallet due to the lost time, Sara’s patterns come together so nicely, and her instructions are so clear, that I ended up finishing both the bag and the wallet the day before the birthday… which happened to be on Thanksgiving Day.  And then I promptly fell in love with them both.  Naturally.  Of course when I think of Sara’s patterns, I automatically think of Tula Pink fabric.  They just go together so perfectly!  I used some of my Acacia stash and was so proud until I stood back and really looked at the bag and wallet.  From the perspective of an 18 year old.  I also had added Polka-dots.  Yes, I did.  And what I found to be adorable I realized an 18-year-old who has no idea about Tula Pink fabric might think her step-gramma had gone a little goofy.  And I was glad that I stashed some cash in the wallet.  You know what I mean? (Although, frankly, I think everyone should fall in love with Tula Pink fabric, because it’s made of Awesome-Sauce too!)

I guess I needn’t have worried.  I got to see Mister’s granddaughter last night.  She asked me if I actually made the bag.  She said it didn’t look like a handmade bag (despite the awesome “handmade” hardware I bought from Emmaline Bags and placed on the bag front).  She thought I made the wallet, and since the fabrics all matched, she still wasn’t sure if I bought the bag or not.  BEST. COMPLIMENT. EVER.  Also, she thought the Raccoons were Foxes.  And I was told that made her smile because, “What does the fox say?”  (I have no idea.  Apparently I have to google some Danish band to find out.)

During the process of making the bag, I discovered that Sew Mama Sew is having a Sew Sweetness Bag contest!  And, since I made the bag within the time frame I’m linking up over there.  You should go check out the other bags entered… WOW!!!  

Do you like to sew bags?

 Have you made a Sew Sweetness Pattern?