This is... my trade secret

What an exciting theme Amelia came up with for this week This is…! To be honest, I can't wait to go and check out what everyone's secrets are, but I thought I should share mine first.

My secret? Simple patterns but gorgeous fabrics.

I have a confession to make. I'm not great at reading patterns, or recipes for that matter. I think at the time I'm so excited about starting a new project that I get impatient with words. So, learning my way around a new pattern is quite a time investment for me. And, like I'm sure many of you can relate to, I never have as much crafting time as I'd like.

This bag is one that I made this week (yah! I'm back behind the sewing machine! Gotta love holidays). I was catching up with a friend for lunch on Saturday for her birthday. Luckily she is in the country for work at the moment as it's been years since we've celebrated a birthday together. Anyway, this little leave-it-until-the-last-minute girl, started making her present at 10 o'clock the night before. And I'm happy to say, had it finished in time.

I used Nikki’s Tote and Satchel pattern. The outer of the bag has come from two different obi (one black with a pattern woven in for the main part of the bag and an embroidered silk for the flap). The lining is kimono crepe. And for the first time I used what is now going to become a new trade secret, a Rajah Pressing Cloth. I loved this! Using vintage silks, I'm often not game enough to get the seams pressed as sharply as I'd like, but boy, did this cloth do the trick! Love it, love it, love it!

Here's a couple of bag close-ups

You can see a bit of the woven pattern in the black base of the bag. I was so happy that it matched the flap fabric that my friend had chosen last time she was here.


A sneak peek at the lining. I love the spider lilies on this.

Thanks Angela for hosting! I'm off to check out everyone else's secrets!