Compass Bag

When Anna/noodlehead came out with her Compass Bag a couple of years ago, I really liked it, but I didn't need a new bag then, so passed it by. Fast forward to this fall when I did need a new bag, and when I saw Anna had remade the Compass using waxed canvas, I was sold. I decided to make the small version, 9½” W, 11” H, 4” deep, with the slip style exterior pockets. 

  

It took me a while to gather my supplies:

• The pattern, of course. 
• Waxer Canvas by Robert Kaufman, which is what Anna used in her bag. I ordered it in Olive from Bijou Lovely, 8.2 oz. weight, 100% cotton, 57" wide which meant I only needed 1/2 yard to make the small version of the bag, with plenty to spare.
• Big Sur Canvas in ivory, which I used to stabilize the Waxer Canvas, per Anna's advice.
• Magnetic Button Clasp Snaps.
• 1" antique brass hardware set from by annie which included 2 D-rings, 2 swivel snap hooks, and 1 wide-mouth slider (which I didn't end up using).

I already had other supplies on hand - lining fabric, Carolyn Friedlander's scallop in olive and brown from her harriot line; rivets; 1" leather for the handle. 

Now there's a couple of things to remember when working with waxed canvas. 

• Do Not use your iron or you'll mar the canvas. All 'pressing' needs to be finger pressing.
• Don't use pins either; use wonder clips if needed.
• Expect the 'fabric' to become distressed as you work with it. To quote the Robert Kaufman website: "Fabric cracks, scratches, wrinkles and creases are a natural part of this fabric’s character as it ages and patinas."

So back to the bag itself.... as is my nature with bag-making, it's a thoughtful, methodical process, ie. not necessarily speedy. I take it easy, one step or two at a time. After a while, I reached the step where I 'got' to add some rivets, which was a whole 'nother thing. The Compass Bag hardware was some of what called me to this bag, but that doesn't mean I'm completely comfortable with it. A quick review of Anna's "installing rivets" tutorial, and I was feeling pretty good.



The bag also features two interior pockets - a slip pocket as well as a zippered pocket, in a configuration that is really unique - one on top of the other. I made the most of those details by fussy-cutting the scallop design of my lining fabric. 

So hard to get a good photo, but maybe you can look close and see the scallop inside the zippered pocket as well? I know no one will see that once the bag is in use, but you know I will!

There were a couple of options for the handle, and I loved the look of the leather. It involved a few more rivets, but that went well.

In fact they were one of the details I really loved - that and the handle hardware, and especially that D-Ring Holder and Strap Tab with an 'X' combo. Oh yeah.

So I took the bag out for a trial run yesterday and it felt great! It's a little bigger than I needed, but is definitely a pretty normal 'purse' size, and gotta say, I really love it. When I started, I didn't really realize it would be so distressed, and actually worried about that in the process, but as a finished bag, I'm really liking it, and am very glad I tried it!

   

Anyone out there like to make their own handmade purses? I looked back, and this is the sixth one I've made for myself since 2013. I think it's a fun thing for a maker like me.