Monica Carry All Bag

October's bag day was split into the first and second Saturdays due to how long it took me to make the Monica Carry All Bag by Oro Rosa Patterns, but it was completely worth it! This shoulder bag is one of my favorite bags I've made and it turned out great!

I used a purple antique tooled faux leather with black faux leather to make the bag.  I picked out gunmetal hardware to match the antique black in the faux leather.

The Aurifil forty3 stitches beautifully and really blends in with the purple.  I also added flat-capped rivets for some low-profile purse feet.

The interior of the bag has 2 hidden pockets between the zipper interior and exterior sides.  The zipped interior has a zipper pocket and slip pockets.

My thoughts on the bag and pattern:

• I think the pattern is very clever in the construction to create crisp 90 degree corners for the exterior.
• I was making the super stiff version, but the pattern missed telling me when to attach the extra decovil light base.  So don't forget to add this part or else you'll end up with that missed at the end.
• The hidden pockets need extra backstitching for sure to make sure that it doesn't pull apart.  I added some, but it definitely pulls when you add things in the hidden pockets.
• I didn't like the interior zip pocket only having to stitch on the top and bottom of the zipper.  I did modify that to stitch all the way around.
• Overall, I really love how this bag turned out!

Bag Details:

• Pattern: Monica Carry All Bag by Oro Rosa Patterns
• Fabric: Lewis & Irene from years ago (lining) and Antique Tooled Faux Leather in Purple from Zorelle.
• Hardware: Emmaline Bags, Geeky Hardware, and Luxe Hardware and more
• Thread: Aurifil 1243 in forty3wt

What is your favorite style of bag?