Baby it's cold outside!

And I mean cold! Around 9 degrees here in The Big City. I thought I was escaping this kind of weather when I made my slight move south, but I have a feeling I brought it with me!

That's okay though because this means I'll stay indoors and sew.

Here's project #1:

Nicole Mallalieu's Baguette. It's listed as advanced and I have to say that yes, it's not for beginners.

The gusset (the part that connects the front and back) is not the easiest thing to sew but I finally got there. I've reviewed it here in case you're interested in sewing it.

Here's the back. This is the fabric I bought when we were in Dublin this summer. I've been waiting for the right pattern to come along.

The inside with a patch pocket.

If I make this again (and I will) I'm going to add a zippered gusset to the top instead of a snap in the facing.

I'll just use the directions from The Day Bag.

Here's that darned old gusset (the striped part that goes around the bag). It looks good, and Nicole is a wonderful drafter but I really thought for a moment or two I wasn't going to be able to do it.

I got extra smart with myself and used the paint program that came with my computer. If this picture won't enlarge, I've circled the side of the bag and added a comment so you can see where I sewed a small piece of boning. I was afraid the bag would collapse when the flap was closed and I wanted it to stay stiff. I sewed the boning into the seam allowance between the front and back of the bag, and it worked very well. Of course I did this on the other side too!

No, Hans and I don't hold hands all day long! He was busy at his computer so I was using the timer on my camera. However, Hans being Hans... well, I had to grab his hand because he's a big stinker!

That's why I'm laughing, but I didn't laugh when I saw how fat I look in this outfit!

We are all bundled up because of the cold.

I'm sure that's why I look fat! (I wonder where all the Christmas cookies went?).

Purse # 2.

Nicole's Evening Bag.

I made this from two linen napkins.

In order to get full use of the pretty border, I just layered a corner on each side of the bag.

They actually create a sort of pocket. Not a secure pocket, but a pocket none the less.

Here is a side view.

And the hard bottom. This is a wide purse so even though it's small, it holds a lot!

Busted!! The camera caught me trying to tickle the back of Hans' neck.

And damn! I still look fat.

Look at this face.

Chlorox is all dolled up and ready to paint the town red with her new purse.

Apparently her date is late.

Poor guy, I wouldn't want to be him!