Zakka Love

So this is the story of how love conquered triangles and how Lindsey motivated me to get busy. I bought Rashida's book as soon as it was out (ok, ok, I pre-ordered it, I knew it would be great) and I pretty much love every project in it. Then you know how that goes, you get busy, the book sits on the shelf, your husband says "you bought another book?!" and on and on. BUT then Lindsey over at LRStitched put together this awesome Zakka sew-a-long and I'm a sucker for a good sew-a-long.

Here's the other "but", BUT I was terrified of those darn triangles on that gorgeous tote. I've never sewn any triangles at all. Plus quilting math scares me and it makes me nuts when things don't line up right. So Geez. The hardest one right out of the gate. I loved it. I wanted it - if you know me at all you know I LOVE bags. Love love love. So I looked though my stash and I decided that if I was going to climb this mountain I was going to go for it with the good fabric and I busted out some of my Sandi Henderson stash. I'm also proud to say that except for the decor bond interfacing that I ordered this was entirely a from stash project!

Do I say that every project I make is my most favorite thing I've ever made? Yup, I think I do. But come on, this bag ROCKS! I am so proud of getting the triangles to look as good as they do - not perfect but pretty great. I made my straps a little longer (30" instead of 22") and I left out the magnetic snap (just didn't think I'd really use it on a tote). I could not be happier with how this turned out and it feels like a wonderful welcome to April, to finish something for myself and be pleased with how it turned out. Take that Perfectionism! This was my attempt to re-create the bag shot from the book.


So I think it was Essex linen (either that or Waterford but I really think Essex) that I bought at Whipstitch, Sandi Henderson for the only-slightly-wonky zigzags and then a springy green shot cotton for the lining. I used the decor bond on the lining, pocket and straps and it gave the bag a great sturdiness - I think I'm going to be using it in all my bags from now on. I loved the hand stitching Terri did on one of her bags and I could see doing another one and adding that lovely detail. Now I'm ready to bring on the rest of the Zakka sew-a-long projects!


Approximately 1/10th of a second after I finished photographing my new bag it was confiscated for a "turn" with it's "other owner" ;-) I'm just hoping I can save it from being used for the egg hunt in the morning. Maybe I should go hide it now actually. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday! See you next week --

d