As mentioned in a previous post, I was really looking forward to a visit to Beautiful Things based in Brentford, Essex (https://www.beautifulthingshq.com/ ) where I was to attend a workshop.

We would making the Necessary Clutch Wallet (Emmeline Bags) tutored by Sian of Kittenish Behaviour.

I was joined by my friend from Franklins Monday Patchwork & Quilting Club, Pat B, who lives not far away in Old Sarum. At midday on the Friday we set off in Pat’s lovely new(ish) car, following the instructions on her satellite navigator. After a couple of breaks for refreshments I also got the chance to drive her car which was rather a culture shock. My lovely Toyota Avensis (with manual gearbox) is now 19 years old and I have had it from brand new. As you can imagine there are not a lot of ‘bells and whistles’ on a car that old. Pat’s car has an automatic gearbox with windscreen wipers that come on automatically along with the headlights when it becomes overcast or dark!

Exciting times as we travelled through the Dartford Tunnel, then having undertaken an extensive detour as we missed the exit to the Travelodge(!) we arrived somewhat weary around 5pm.

I have met Sian on three previous occasions – two Sew Southampton meet ups plus the Bag making workshop that she ran on the Isle of Wight in May this year. I have participated in two of the KB pattern swaps, regularly follow Sian’s vlogs, instagram and also subscribe to the KB Peeps facebook page. I feel that I know her quite well.

But now onto the Workshop! We met Claire who is the owner of Beautiful Things (yet another vlogger that I follow) really friendly and a very creative lady. It was lovely to be greeted by Sian and also to make the acquaintance of Di of Daffodil Ledger, another vlogger that I follow. Di is based ‘up North’ and has chickens that regularly feature on her vlogs!

After a general introduction we got down to some serious cutting out, interfacing and preparation of the various ‘innards’ for the NCW. As I had ‘sneakily’ already made a trial version of the wallet it was good to refresh the construction methods and also to pick up lots of tips from Sian including how to add a second zip compartment to the NCW.

I used some of the fabrics that were in this pack of fat quarters purchased originally from a Patchwork & Quilting shop in Marshside, Lancashire when on a visit to a friend. As you can see from the price label, this purchase was made a long time ago and it is only now that I have got around to finding the ideal project in which to use these unusual prints.

I used the Purple/Burgundy print for the exterior and made the interior pockets from two of the other prints. The flap is lined with a remnant of plain Purple cotton from my stash. The hardware in nickel was supplied by Sian as part of the cost of the workshop. Although I did not think I would be likely to use the wriststrap or adjustable shoulder strap, I did make them as it was an opportunity to see how Sian makes these straps.

There were plenty of refreshments in the form of tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. We stopped for a light lunch before cracking on with our work. Finishing up around 4pm we returned to our Travelodge and later joined Sian for a lovely meal in a local hostelry.

Sunday dawned and we were up bright and early ready to attend the workshop and finish our NCWs. Another busy day – lots of chat as we got to know one another better and finally – completed wallets with rivets!!

Following Sian’s suggestion I purchased a rivet press some time ago but have been too afraid to use it! Now, after the practice at Beautiful Things I can count myself as a Riveting Ninja!

We all enjoyed our lovely and productive time at Beautiful Things, Claire is a great hostess and Sian an excellent tutor. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for other classes at BTHQ and hope to join Sian on the Isle of Wight in the Autumn of next year for another Sewing Retreat.

I have long admired the NCW purse/wallet having browsed the many photographs on the internet. I purchased the pattern from Emmeline Bags over one year ago but was very hesitant about making one. Then Sian of Kittenish Behaviour posted a You tube sew-along but again I was nervous about starting.

Looking ahead I noticed that Claire of Beautiful Things Sewing Studio based in Brentford Essex was going to be hosting a workshop for the NCW and tutored by Sian herself. I immediately booked myself onto the course.

I searched my fabric stash for new materials that would be required and came across the remnants of the fabrics I had used on another of Sian’s workshops that was held back in May this year at the Sewing Retreat on the Isle of Wight.

As I did not want to appear to much of a novice at the workshop (I do have something of a reputation as a bag-maker!) I bit the bullet and used some of that remnant fabric to make my very first NCW.

I followed the instructions on Sian’s vlog but did not have all of the correct stabilisers to hand, thus the finished wallet is not as sturdy as the ones I have made since but nevertheless, not too bad for a first attempt!

The seasons are progressing and although a Mustard coloured bag is quite appropriate for the Autumnal colours of my wardrobe – I fancied a change!

When visiting the Festival of Quilts in August this year I purchased a couple of lengths of ‘tapestry’ fabric plus some faux snakeskin which I thought would be a great combination for a new Companion Carpet Bag using my TNT pattern from Mrs H Bags.

Thus I embarked on yet another bag! I used the 8 inch bag frame and added an extra external pocket.

Inside there are the usual slip and zip pockets plus a key keeper.

Instead of fabric I used a set of Red polka dotted vinyl for the handles from my bag-making stash although after a couple of weeks wear I am not 100% happy with these and may well change them out for a tapestry set.

I have sufficient fabric remaining to be able to make the 12 inch framed bag and maybe even a necessary clutch wallet! So watch this space.

There is not much more to say about the bag except that I have received several compliments which is always a nice fillip to my bag-making ego.

For a long time I have wanted to make a saddle-bag-style bag. Sometime ago I made the Mollie bag from Swoon patterns in both the original small size and also graded up to a larger, more useful size. However neither bag fitted my requirements and I was pleased to discover this bag pattern by Debbie Von Grabler-Crozier in one of my scrap books. The original had been produced in a magazine and this was the only article that I had saved. A stroke of good luck.

I found that I had a large remnant of cotton fabric left over from the bag-making workshop that I attended on the Isle of Wight back in May 2019. As the fabrics were specially chosen to coordinate they would be ideal for this project.

Unfortunately I did not have quite sufficient to complete the entire bag and thus the contrast on the reverse of the bag plus the lining and pockets are made using other printed cottons from my stash.

I followed the instructions as closely as possible although I did change the size and method for making the shoulder strap. I am pleased with the end result. The size is just right and for the next iteration I will change only the thickness of the wadding by replacing the fusible fleece with Bosal (R) foam.