Babylon Leather - Tote Bucket Bag

Over the holiday weekend, Rhonda and I decided to make our Babylon Tote Bucket Bags.  We thought it would be a great project to do together.  We had estimated that it would take about three to four hours to complete.  However, it ended up taking several more hours to complete.  

Before I get into the details of our sewing experience, let me give you some details about Babylon Leather bag kits.

Babylon Leather has an extensive line of leather bag making kits on their website.  Additionally, they offer tools, leather, hardware, and patterns.  A well-rounded website that has so many items to help you complete your own unique leather projects.  Check it out.  You are guaranteed to find something to your liking. ;-)

It was several Instagram craft influencers who "encouraged" me to try making my leather bag.  On the Babylon website, there are so many choices; it was hard to choose just one bag making kit.  I ended up settling for the Tote Bucket bag. 

The kit contained everything that I needed to complete my bag:

• all leather pieces needed for the desired bag (some were partially finished).
• two scarves and a bag charm
• waxed thread
• a set of hand-sewing leather needles
• bag hardware
• scissors
• screwdriver
• clip
• finger protector sleeves

and 

• QR code link to tutorial for assembling the bag.

The entire bag is assembled by hand.  So, it takes some time and patience to complete it.  I learned a few things about hand sewing leather.  How to "knot" the thread and how to sew with two needles at the same time.  Once you get the hang of sewing, it is a very calming and relaxing process. 

 

The most difficult part of making the Tote Bucket bag was attaching the handles to the bag.  It took about two hours to attach each handle.  Again, once you get past the initial stitches, the rest is easy.  It just takes time.  

 

The things that I liked about the product and this project are:

• everything is in the kit, which makes it super easy to concentrate on making the bag
• the design of the bag and the color options
• quality and quantity of the leather, supplies and tools
• packaging of the kit
• access to the tutorial to assemble the bag
• the simple, refined, unique looking bag
• the bright orange leather with a great texture
•  

and 

• the beautiful bag that I made with my very own hands. ;-)

There weren’t any real dislikes about the project.  

 

This ends my review of my first Babylon leather bag.  I hope this information is helpful.  If you've made a Babylon bag, please share your experience.  I'd love to read/view your experience.

 

Happy Sewing!

C

 

 

 

Still Here!

I'm still here, just spending more time enjoying various activities and events.  These days,  I'm spending less and less time on social media.  Way back when, it didn't seem like It took that much time to create content.  Now there are so many tools and applications to use.  This are much different from a few simple pictures and a few good paragraphs.  

Anyway, I'm almost finished with Vogue V2097 and the Burda Style Jacket 7321.  Of course, I have about six other projects going on at the same time.  Lol

Over the holiday weekend I made my first Babylon Leather purse.  I'm so pleased with how it turn out.  Next post I'll give my full review.

Happy Sewing!

C

 

New Look Bag Pattern NL6425

 

One of my many creative interests is making bags.  I made these two tote bags in early December, last year.  My hope was to make matching cosmetic bags.  This effort was two fold:  stash busting and Christmas gift giving.  Well I was successful in the stash busting, but I didn't finish the cosmetic bags to complete "my gift idea".  So, these two beauties are still taking up space in my sewing studio.  BTW- I still plan to give as gifts.

I used New Look NL6425, view A and B, with modifications.  New Look didn't give any view descriptions.  These are really basic lined tote bags.  There are no inside pockets.  

The instructions are the easiest.  Nothing confusing in them.  Great pattern for beginners to try.  I like that these totes came together quickly.  

The little tabs at the bottom were just a little challenging.  I wanted to get the placement just right for the pattern design of the fabric.  I think it good, not perfect.

From my stash are two remnant heavy cotton fabrics that I purchased at JoAnn's several years ago.  The straps are also from my stash.  They have been waiting to be used for over 15 years.  I am thrilled that I finally used them.

These totes do look like the illustration on the envelope with the exception of the straps.   I also, added a covered cardboard insert to help keep the shape of the bottom of the bag.

My changes were basic:  straps, strap loops, and bottom insert

These are very easy totes to make.  This pattern is a great template to make a variety of different bags:  appliques, patchwork, overlays, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

I recommend this pattern to all level sewists.

  

Pattern Review for Student Project - Simplicity S9308

This is the bag I made for the class.  Photos of students are not allowed to be published.

Today's pattern review is Simplicity S9308.

I'm kind of working backwards on the student projects for middle school beginner sewing class.  This tote bag project is made the 3rd/4th week of class.  Before we start on this project, the students have had a few lessons: 

• some hand stitching exercise that include various stitches and how to sew on a button
• a hand stitched project
• how to drive the sewing machine, including threading and practicing various stitches
• introduction to appliques and embellishment

This tote bag is a very simple tote bag project.  It has good basic pattern pieces that a sewist could create many different versions with no problem.  An all around great basic pattern for students

Simplicity describes it as:  tote bags in three sizes.  For the class I used the largest size.  And for the most part, the bag did look like the illustration.

In my lesson, the students learned/practiced several things:

• seam allowance
• top stitching
• how to create and sew on an applique
• how to press to achieve a polish look
• how to assemble a project from start to finish

Now for my class, I changed the instructions to have the pocket on the outside instead of on the inside of the bag.  This change was to reinforce the lesson on applique/embellishment.  It also gave the students an opportunity to practice topstitching.  The rest of the instructions were followed as per the guide sheet.  

For the appliques - I created several templates for the student to choose from.  Some are pictured below.

In conclusion, this very basic tote bag is a great beginner project.  It has great bones and possibilities for many different versions of the tote.  I highly recommend it for all level sewists.

Happy Sewing!

C

Ready To Share Again

 

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is off to a great start to the new year. It has been several months since my last post. Much has happened in my little creative world and life in general.

I have made a few things, just didn't take the time to post. I may or may not do a review. I'll see how things go.  I'm very happy to say that I returned to Calumet Middle School as the sewing instructor for the after school program, which is one of the "high" lights of my year. I created a nice group of fun projects for junior sewers that I plan to share at some point. (I did a lot of chocheting.)

Every year I plan to read many books; some selected by the bookclub and some that personally interest me. See books below:

My 2025 big trip was to Alaska. This was my second trip there.  I'm still in awe of Alaska's beauty; the lad, people, culture, and animals.  Yes, I could easily visit again. There is so much to see and learn about this parr of the world.

2025 was fill with all kinds of events: HCC Fashion Show, several theater shows, countless dinner parties, holidays parties, and birthday celebrations.

My faith and spiritual life has grown. I must say that my life experiences  have definitely influenced my relationship with God.  I could not imagine my life without God.

In 2023, I helped to establish a college scholarship award program that my church. It is designed to assist our college students with the costs of their education.  Since the establishment we have made several $500 awards to students who are member of our church. This program brings me great joy as we are able to help others reach their goal. 

2025 Award Recipients 

Unfortunately, but again fortunately I had two medical procedures in 2025. Both have improved my health profile. There are still some things that I need to address during the coming months. Blessed in progress.

Meanwhile, I'm continuing to make plans for a full happy, rich life. I love my family, friends and God.

I hope to be a more active blogger in the coming year.

Sewing Updates

Hi everyone,

July is almost over! Can you believe it?  

It seems like the month of July flew by.  We are already more than half way into 2025, and I just got used to writing 2025.  Lol

Anyway, it has been a very busy month full of festive celebrations and plenty of sewing for me.  As part of my 2025 sewing goals, I wanted to purge, organize, and sew my stash.  This month, I was quite successful.  I have plenty to share over the next few weeks.  Many of my newly finished projects have not been photographed with me wearing them.  But I hope to get photos soon.  

My greatest focus has been on sewing my stash to reduce the amount of fabric that I have to organize in the fall.  

So stay tuned for more on my recent sewing projects.

Happy Sewing!

Cennetta

Question: What Do You Do With All Those Muslins?

 

This is the year of purging.  I'm seriously purging everywhere in my home.  I want to reduce any clutter.  Here is a pile of  muslins that I made over the past few years. It looks like a pile of something worth keeping, but why? I don't need them anymore.  So, I'm throwing them in the trash.  

What do you do with all your muslins?  How long do you keep them?  Do you recycle the fabric? Or just toss them?

Do share.

Happy Sewing!

C

Joggers To Love - Vogue V8909

Yes, these are joggers to love.  I've made them about four times.  So, this pattern is a TNT.  My first pair are reviewed here.

There isn't much more to say about these other than I did a little leg treatment at the bottom of each of my latest pair.  The green pair is my favorite.

I will certainly make several more in the coming years.  So that's all for now.  

Parting Photos:

Here are a few pictures of me and Bonnie (one of my sewing students) on our February field trip to Vogue Fabric warehouse.

McCall M7978 - Blouse From Muslin to Fashion Fabric

In the Spring I posted this "Notes on a Pattern - McCall M7978" with all the details on the fit adjustments.  It took six months to finally make the blouse.  So here it is with a full pattern review.

Pattern Description:  Misses' tops:  Tops A, B, C, D have gathered front and back, self faced yoke, button and loop closures, forward shoulder seams and gathered sleeve variation and band.  B: Flounce, A, B, C: Cuffs.  D: Sleeve hand, neckband and ties in one.  I made view B with modifications.

Pattern Sizing:  I used size 16 with modifications and fit adjustments.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, for the most part.  I didn't have enough fabric for the tie.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, the instructions were typical and nothing difficult or confusing in them. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  There several things that I like about this blouse.  For starters:  the neckline and the midriff.  I also like the tie and the full sleeve of A.  I'm hope to make view A with a tie and the flounce of view B.  

My only dislike is the front closure.  This is a very easy fit, though.  I simply built in a little more width across the front to overlap the button area.  So the placement of the buttons is an inch from the front edge. 


Fabric Used:  One of my dear friends' mom passed and she gifted me with some of her fabrics.  This is a paisley print cotton.  It has a smooth hand, and it sews and presses beautifully.  The yardage was about a yard and a half.  So I was unable to include the tie for this version.  Next time. :-)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  All of my fit adjustments  are noted in my "Notes on a Pattern" posted in May 2024.  See link above.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I plan to make at least one more version.  Also, mentioned above.  And yes, I do recommend this pattern with modifications based on the sewist's body shape and preferences.  You can mix and match the design elements to your liking.

Conclusion:  This pattern has a few different style options and the "V" neck is great for us busty ladies.  Be careful with the placement of the buttons and the depth of the "V".  The closure as is may gap open and "V" is very low.

All level sewists should be able to make this blouse.  It is definitely more than your average wardrobe builder top. ;-)

Happy Sewing!

C