Bag for Secret Santa

Each year on one of my sewing lists, we run a secret santa. Usually we sew for each other's children, but this year we had an adult one as well. My recipient makes the most beautiful bags, so this was a bit 'coals to newcastle' - and I was nervous that it wouldn't be up to scratch but I'm pleased with the result!

The pattern I used was the Veronica Pocketbook from Lazy Girl Designs. I say pattern, but it was a pattern in the loosest sense of the word, more like a set of measurements and instructions. I chose to make this in purple suede, with a hot pink silk lining (pick the easy option, moi??!).

I embroidered the flower on the front in variegated jeanstitch - the design is from an Ottobre backissue (can't remember which one!). It was much easier after I bought some leather needles!! Sewing was reasonably straightforward, it is not a difficult pattern, the only trouble I had was sewing through multiple layers of suede. Still, my machine coped really well.

The pattern specifies an acrylic base, but I was unable to find a UK supplier. The company that I bought the pattern from suggested using plastic canvas, but it shattered when I tried to cut it to size! So I ended up cobbling together a base - the pics were taken before the base was put in.