The Companion Carpet Bag

First of all A Happy New Year to you. Hope you've enjoyed the holidays and are ready to start creating.

I want to start the New Year with The Companion Carpet Bag by Samantha Jane Hussey. This is the first bag out of six that are in the Bag of the Month Club. It's the second year I've joined and hopefully this year will get all six done. Luckily I was a tester for this bag so I'm ahead.

Ever since I started making bags I've wanted to make one this style but could never find the hardware so when I was picked to test was a little sad that I might not be able to make it because of that. Samantha came to the rescue though and said she would be providing the hardware so I was more than delighted. The fabric had been in my stash for about a year waiting for the right project and this one was it.

The Carpet Bag can be made in two sizes. Mine is the smaller one and is just perfect for my needs. This pattern is really easy to make up and very quick too. A confident beginner could tackle it.

I love the tubular frame closure and the gorgeous handles and tab that we were provided with. Samantha's pattern has clear instructions of each step accompanied by loads of photos for those who are visual sewers.

The handles are hand stitched on.

The front has a slip pocket with a magnetic button.

The tubular frame was so much easier to install than I had originally envisaged.

Inside has a zipper pocket on one side and a slip pocket on the other which can be divided into two but I just left mine as one.

I love how it opens up wide without flopping so you can see all your stuff inside.

I'm really looking forward to February's bag now. We don't know what it will be like until it's delivered to our emails, only thing we know is there are 6 designers each designing a bag for their allocated month. One other thing I do know is that all 6 designers are very talented so we are guaranteed a great bag each month.

If you'd like to join in the Bag of the Month it's not too late. Just go HERE and for $40 for 6 bags it's a bargain.

The designers who will be designing bags in the Club from left to right are:

January:   Samantha Jane Hussey from At home with Mrs H

February: Sarah Lawson from Sew Sweetness

March:     Anna from Noodlehead

April:       Janelle from Emmaline Bags

May:        Betz White from Betz White

June:        Christine Welsh from ChrisW Designs



~ Maria ~