A change from garments this time round for my desert island sewing. Back in 2015 the lovely Zoe from So Zo, …. What do you know? put a call out for pattern testers for her new bag pattern, the Anya. I’ve always liked making bags and thought this would be a challenge I could manage – I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to test a garment pattern!
This was my test version …..



I’d had the fabric for ages and was never sure what to do with it but I think it worked well for a bag. I have a confession to make. Before I made this bag I’d never sewn a buttonhole on my machine! It was a lot easier than I’d imagined. I never wear shirts/shirtdresses because I don’t like collars (another of my odd garment phobias!) so my buttonhole making has pretty much been limited to bag making – and a pair of children’s dungarees from a vintage pattern.
The Anya is an excellent pattern – it’s quick to make but covers a number of techniques in addition to the buttonhole including pleats, inserting a lining and top stitching. Perfect for a beginner. It’s a great way of using up leftover fabric and makes a really nice gift. If I’m stranded on a desert island for an extended period I’ll be able to come back with a stock of ready made presents! It’s also pretty spacious and one of these days I’ll add an internal pocket to make it easier to locate small things like keys.
Talking of gifts – next up are Anya bags I’ve made as gifts with a close up of a nice neat buttonhole.





And finally two more made for me.




The first one is made from a Lucienne Day design fabric, Calyx. This was originally designed for John Lewis in the 1950s but was reprinted a few years ago and I was given several pieces by my sister. I have enough to make a dress too. The bag was made for a tea party at The Pallant House Gallery in Chichester in January, held to launch a series of events to mark what would have been Lucienne’s 100th birthday this year. The other bag is made in a beautiful mustard/gold denim from The Fabric Godmother with a vintage fabric lining. I have a new piece of this to make a skirt for the winter.
I don’t mention the festive season by name at this time of year but if you do sew gifts this pattern is definitely worth considering!