Sew what?

I've been sewing on and off since I was small - raised by a woman who constantly has a half-finished project on the go (from curtains and pillowcases to dresses for almost every occasion of her little girls' lives) - I can remember spending summer afternoons wandering among the bolts in fabric stores, learning how to thread the machine and taking out stitches when I mis-read the pattern and sewed the wrong sides together (oh, none of that has changed). Now that I have not just one, but TWO 60s-era sewing machines in my possession, I have been using my down time since the summer (and sometimes even my homework time...) to sew. Thursday's project? A yoga bag, made from a pattern by designer Amy Butler, finished just in time to take to my first Freeskool yoga class.

The yoga carrier bag, which is an afternoon project, includes the outer shell, strap, and pocket, which are all interfaced, as well as a lining for both the pocket and case. Each uses less than a metre of fabric, and I used an old bedsheet in a teal colour that matched the paisley design, so the project cost me less than $7 in materials. And of course, I had fun making it. My mother has always told me to never sew at night (as there is a chance of making mistakes later in the day and in artificial light) and never to sew in a hurry, but what better motivation is there than stitching for a deadline? The only thing I didn't get done was the top hem, but that's what safety pins are for. Actually, I wasn't sure if my vintage White machine could handle nine layers of fabric to make a double hem, so during my trip to Ottawa Street this afternoon I picked up some turquoise bias tape to finish off the top.

With the mat in the case, the carrier is still very light and as I can fit the strap over my head and carry it like a messenger bag, it works on both the bus and the bike. The pockets, which are pretty tight to the case, just fit my wallet, cell phone and keys, so I'm still working on a way to carry my water bottle, but might use some of the scrap fabric to fit something in a similar shape on top.

Detail of "Floral Fusion" from Henry Glass and Co. I've got the same pattern in pink. Any ideas for the next project?