Inspired by Anthropologie v.1.0 - Mai Ogi Bag

When my Anthropologie catalog came last week, it included this gorgeous Mai Ogi bag.

Before you rush over to purchase one, you should know it costs a cool $548.00.

Yeah.

It is leather and huge and fabulous, but really, I don't need all that cow hide or space. If I have that much space in a bag, I fill it. ALL of it.

Thus, the Mai Ogi junior was born.

This bag is much, much smaller than the Anthro version, but is more more in line with what I need. Plus, by my calculations, I saved about $525 dollars, because this bag was made with leftover fabric from this project. It is a gorgeous gold velveteen on the outside, and a purple dot by Hoodie on the inside. Both fabrics are from Sew To Speak. I really am unnaturally obsessed with these two fabrics. They are just so incredibly lovely.

This bag wasn't nearly as fussy as it looks to make. I took 2.5 inch strips of the velveteen, selvedge to selvedge, and overlocked the edges. For the pleats, I just laid them out on the body of the bag and messed with them until I got them where I wanted, pressed (lightly, so as not to crush the nap of the velveteen), and pinned in place. For the ruffles, I cranked the thread tension and stitch length up as high as they would go and sewed right down the middle of my fabric strips. After I pinned them where I wanted on the body of the bag, I followed the gathering stitch to sew it to the body. If I hadn't had to rip the lining out because I sewed it in wrong side out, it would have been a quick project. (Am I the only one who has to rip SOMETHING out of every project and resew? My seam ripper is my BFF).

If I were sewing this bag again, I would make the strap just a smidge longer. Other than that, I am in love with it.

eta: After Mag suggested it, I entered this bag in Lemon Squeezy Home's contest. There is still time to enter a bag if you have one you've made this week!

Breaking News!! I MADE THE TOP TEN!!! Head on over to Lemon Squeezy Home to vote for your favorite bag!