A handmade gift for a little star

This year, I made my 3 year old niece (who I shall henceforce refer to as the Little Star) a Christmas present. She is really into bags, and has quite a few shoppers, but I thought she might like more of a handbag style bag. I did a bit of Googling, and a bit of Pinterest surfing and found this tutorial, which fit the bill perfectly.

I have a bit of an aversion to the "pinkification" of wee girls, so I have to admit I do go out of my way to avoid pink when I buy anything for the Little Star, hence the fabric choice. Luckily she is OK with this, so far.

The bag was really straightforward to put together, although it took considerably longer than the hour suggested in the tutorial. I think it took one hour to cut and prep the fabric, and then a full second evening to do the sewing. But, I have said before, that I am not the speediest of sewists.

The tutorial calls for you to interface the fabric, but instead I decided to use batting. My mum actually gave me this really cool iron on batting. No idea what it's called or where she got it, and she only had a scraps left, but it was enough. I didn't quilt the bag, but I like the additional structure that the batting gives it.

Contrast lining

The bag closes with a fabric loop (a chunky rouleax), which loops round a button. Both fabrics are from Remnant Kings, as is the button. I know the orange button is a bit random, but I couldn't find a green or blue button that matched, and actually I quite like the pop of the orange. I also just really wanted to buy that button.

As you can tell from the photo, I didn't waste too much energy on pattern matching or placement. I did manage to get the horizontals matched at the side (no photographic proof) but that was about it. I don't think the Little Star minds too much.

A better pic of the lining fabric. I love that scallop print!

There really isn't an awful lot to say about this pattern. It was a straightforward sew and the instructions are clear, logical and give good, well finished results. If I was being picky, I'd say that it's a little bit annoying that the lining is the same size as the outer, as it just doesn't sit inside neatly, but that's an easy fix if I ever make another.

I decided the Little Star might want a grown up bag a bit like Mummy's, so I filled it with a few bits and pieces.

Hair brush and comb, key ring complete with house key and purse

 Miraculously, on Christmas day, I got a compact mirror in my cracker, and so gave that to the Little Star for her bag as well.

The bag was a huge hit. It's meant to be a shoulder bag, but my Dad didn't realise that and so put it on her cross body style, and there is stayed. She pretty much wore it all day, and spent a good chunk of the evening brushing and combing everyone's hair!

I asked for a photo, and she obliged...

Happy girl!