Sewing machine problems notwithstanding, the bag is done. I can relax now and go to Hay with my new bag on my arm.

In the end I used a small amount of boning between the handles, which keeps the main opening in shape – something that bugs me about bags sometimes. But I didn’t use a bag bottom in the end, partly because I didn’t have one long enough! If it all comes apart I’ll have learnt a good lesson.

The topstitching isn’t really as neat as I would have liked, and that’s possibly down to not having too much time and praying that the machine would make it.

And here is the interior, with the slip pocket for my mobile phone (I have no idea why – I never hear it ring most of the time and the rest of the time it has no battery). I’ve also attached a clip, because I think they’re so useful. Now if only I had enough time to make the little coin purse I want to attach to it…