camera bag

I needed, well wanted really, a bag that I could use as a quick camera bag and be able to have my normal purse stuff as well.  Not that I carry a lot in my purse, but I'd like a bag I can put my DSLR in, my wallet and my little bag where I keep Advil, bandaids, chapsticks, etc.

I really like this bag from Thirty-One, but couldn't stomach the price tag.  I was in my craft closet looking for thread for another project that you will see soon.  And I found this pattern, specifically the middle pattern, C.  Based on the picture I didn't think it was going to be big enough for what I was wanting.  Then I took the pattern out of the package.  I was wrong.  It was plenty big.  The pattern actually specifies to use gingham fabric.  Which as much as I love, I didn't have.  But what I did have was the fabric my mom used a few years ago to make me a baby carrier.  

I did this kinda in a hurry.  (Do you see the "Pin-the-tail-on-the-dalmatian" still on the wall from a little boy's party?)  And I tend to make a mess when I get into something quickly.

And then... ta da!

See!  My DSLR and my wallet plus room.  Success!

So I made modifications.  First, I didn't use gingham.  But I did use plaid! :)  Secondly, I left off the outside pocket.  Didn't really make sense for me.  Thirdly, because I did this in a hurry, I didn't have a zipper for the inside pocket.  And, honestly, I've never done a zipper.  So I winged it and just left it as an open pocket.  Forth modification was in the fabric.  The pattern called for the top inside piece where the clasps are to be the same fabric as the outside.  I didn't have enough.  I also put the fusible interfacing on the inside fabric instead of the outside since my outside fabric was pretty stiff already.  Last modification was that I made the straps long enough that I could use this bag as a cross-body style.  I got used to an awesome diaper bag that my "twin" gave me years and years ago that was cross-body that I can't go back to a normal purse.

And the best part, it was free!  I already had everything I needed.  I did have to apologize to my son for practically ignoring him for a few hours one afternoon.