Sometimes it’s the details that make you stop and look twice.
Sometimes you open a package and think, “Oh, that’s lovely.”
And sometimes you open a package and your jaw drops.
That was pretty much my reaction when this Sheridan Tote, beautifully sewn by Gaby Beck, @gabyelisabethbeck arrived back at my studio. I knew the fabrics, of course — they’re from my MIRA collection. I knew the bag she was making. But I was not prepared for just how beautifully everything had come together.
And then I noticed the outside pocket.
Or rather — I almost didn’t notice it.
Take a closer look.
Gaby fussy cut and pattern-matched the pocket so precisely that the MIRA print continues almost seamlessly across it. The stems, leaves and little golden accents simply carry on as though there were no pocket there at all.
This is one of those sewing details that may look effortless when it’s finished — but every quilter knows it absolutely isn’t.
Gaby, I bow to you. 👏
Suggested photo: the same close-up, but with a piece of white or cream cardstock slipped into the pocket so the pocket edge suddenly becomes obvious.
And the closer I looked, the more there was to love: the warm leather handles, the hardware, the quilting, and that little golden zipper picking up exactly the golden accents in MIRA.
It’s a wonderful example of what happens when fabric choice and craftsmanship start having a very good conversation with each other.
Want to make your own?
The bag is the Sheridan Tote by Sotak Handmade — and here comes the particularly nice part: the pattern is available as a free PDF.
So if this bag has just given you ideas about a certain fabric sitting patiently in your stash, you know what to do.
Thank you, Gaby, for turning my MIRA fabrics into something this beautiful — and for giving me a very serious case of bag envy.