I wrestled with this beast last for all of last week +weekend and haven’t touched it since.

Looks impressive and finished from the outside, but I know that it doesn’t have a lining yet.  I made it from some $3 sale fabric at Joann and some gorgeous Kaffe Fasset striped fabric I got at ReproDepot last year. (Rest assured I’m blogging there because I was already ordering all of the fabric anyway!)

I lined it with a layer of quilt batting + a layer of Peltex. Add that to the surgical tubing leftovers I used from this project and the pocket layer, and you’ve got a lot of layers to sew through. I think I need to reinforce the bottom yet again, it was so tough to actually sew it on, through all the layers, while encasing the tubing ends and going for a straight line. I made the straps(fabric covered twill) so they could go over my shoulder, which was wishful thinking on my part.  Can you tell I have a touch of ”But I made it myself so I don’t know if it’s sturdy” paranoia? It comes from the love and protective instinct towards my new machine.

All in all, it has been a crazy challenge…and might just end up as luggage. But I am pleased that I attempted it, because I always learn something with every project. I have some big work things coming up, so I’m not sure when I’ll get to the lining… although it’d be nice to finish it for my sewing class next week so I could take it on a test drive.

***By the way, today is the last day to enter my 100th post giveaway. Don’t be shy- anyone can win. And thanks for all of the great comments so far, you all are really too sweet!