Field Study Bag

For a long time I'd been wanting to try Elizabeth Hartman's quilt-as-you-go technique for creating bag panels, and this week I finally got around to it.  I really loved doing this - it's so fun to build your panel as you go, deciding which piece of fabric to use next. 

I selected some leftover bits from my scrap box in mostly pinks and purples.  I love it that even the small pieces are useful in this technique - some of my bits are only about 2 inches square.  Here are the two panels I created:

On both my panels, I decided to use pieces of the printed selvage.  The first one says "Field Study No. 2" -

And on the other side, I decided to keep the feathered edge on the outside.  When I showed the finished bag to Hubby, he said that was his favorite detail.  It's mine too :-)

 And here is how the quilting looks from the back.  The bits of fabric are quilted directly onto a layer of batting with a backing.  My backing is a heavier muslin.

To make my bag, I roughly followed the directions for the Style B bag from Elizabeth Hartman's Perfect Zip Bags pattern.   However, I changed my dimensions and the inside pockets based on how I wanted my bag to be.  After my panels were quilted, I cut them to 10.5" x 7".  On one side of the lining I sewed a 2-slot card pocket, and on the other side I made a single pocket.  I'm proud of myself that I thought about what kind of pockets and strap I wanted before starting, and then did all the maths to figure them out.  I usually just delve in, and then have to make corrections later, or get an outcome I'm not happy with!

For my strap, I decided I wanted a D-ring at the side, but a swivel clasp that could be connected either to the D-ring or the zipper pull.  About a month ago I ordered a bunch of swivel clasps from this Etsy vendor, and D-rings from this one.  The swivel clasps aren't that easy to track down, because they go by a lot of different names!   Now I have plenty to last me a while :-)

My finished bag measures about 9.5" x 6", and is quite sturdy.

And here's the finished bag from each side:

And the pockets on the inside:

Can you tell I love my new bag?  This one has room for a packet of tissues and a lip balm!  And all the different fabrics make me happy - they're all leftovers from garments I've made.

Have any of you ever tried this technique?  I think I'm a little in love with it!