Hey friends,

Today's post is yet another handbag I stitched recently.
Actually, I came  across Canadian smocking here-

http://indianparentsforum.com/home/canadian-smocking-tutorial-4-basket-weave-design/

                 Thanks to the simple instructions the tutorial has, I found it quite interesting... Decided to give it a try.. what I had in my mind is the design of a simple clutch in  which I could fit in my cellphone .......
My hubby's shirt came in handy for the plan I had. Thought he work was easy( not the first part which involves drawing a grid on the wrong side of the cloth.... that requires quite a lot of patience which is short in supply with me :-)  those who know me, know that very well ) The bit I completed, I stitched it over another piece of fabric... and this I had to keep aside till I could make some time to transform into a clutch..

                I quite forgot about this and when I could get time to start with it again, well... my plan changed and thought of another design - for a bag... Searched my stash of clothes to recycle that I had kept aside and finally decided on an old pair of formal trousers my hubby had wanted to dispose of. A little work later. these are the two  pieces I completed for the two sides of the bag.

                     An old dupatta of mine as also long strips of the trouser fabric was used to make the lining for the bag and... to it, I stitched the side- pockets of the trousers as open pouches. The handles of an old travel- bag was used to give strength to the handles of the bag.

                   A small hook I took from  my son's water bottle was fixed to the lining as a key- holder... The zipper alone was attached manually... ( I don't know why, but even after so many bags and purses, I still am  not confident of attaching a zipper very neatly to a bag). 

                    And here is the finished product.... Feels nice having completed the project :-)

That's for today. Be back soon.

Bye.

- Chitra.