My Vintage Look Sweet Beats Handbag

I love unique bags and since I'm also a thrifty gal, this means I usually make them for myself.  The prices of whimsical handbags these days just stuns me.  Today's bag is one I've been carrying around for a while, but I still haven't shown.  This little purse deserves it's moment in the blog sun, so today I'm revealing my Sweet Beats Handbag.

I actually designed the bag around the fabric I used (Musical Instruments from Timeless Treasures).  I really loved the retro vibe & bright colors and thought a vintage-style shape would go perfectly with it.  A sort of a beatnik/old school camera bag feel.

And so it could keep it's curvy shape (and be padded enough to really carry my camera too), I stabilized it with a mid-weight fusible interfacing and a fusible fleece.  I also added some metal feet to it so the bottom would stay nice and it would look cute sitting down.

I wanted the detailing to echo the curved look, so I made the handle, shoulder strap & sides solid (a coordinating Soho Solid called Royal) and also added some curved corner sections around the front & back.  The magnetic snap closure even has a guitar-style shape to complete the look.

Even though the bag isn't really big, the interior is pretty roomy.  I made a little padded pocket for it and there's always lots of space - even when I load it up with stuff.

I don't have a tutorial for it because it's got so many curvy pieces.  It would really require full-on pattern drafting and more than my usual handful of photos to show how to put it together.  I may offer a pattern for it at some point though.  It's become one of my favorite bags.

The best part is even when I'm dressed down, this bag gives me a stylish look.  And believe me, when you've got 3 kids wearing you down all day, you need all the extra style you can get!

I'm also sharing this project with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.

Click HERE to check them out!