Completing this purse marked a new point in my sewing career. I finished my first (usable) project using a Simplicity pattern. I have several patterns and found them to be confusing. My brain just doesn't quite work that way. To their credit, I used to have this same problem with knitting patterns but have since gathered enough experience that I now understand the basic construction of most knitted garments. I think I'm starting to be a little more experienced with sewing and can now follow basic instructions.

This purse is now in the hands of my sister. She asked me for a purse for Christmas and who am I to disappoint? I followed the pattern exactly until the end. The pattern calls for stitching down the sides of the bag to make it more of a square shape. I liked it too much the way it was so I skipped that part.

My favorite part of the whole bag is the lining. It has a 2 inch panel of the main fabric before switching to the lining fabric. The pocket is also just the right size for my sister's camera. Bonus.

I will definitely use this pattern again. I miss this purse already and would love to make one for myself. The only thing I might change is the flap. The flap attaches to the inside of the bag instead of the outside. I think I might prefer it if it attached to the outside of the bag. I might add another pocket on the other side, too.

Next time you're at your local fabric store and patterns are on sale for $.99, you won't regret picking up Simplicity Pattern 8331 (I made bag D).

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