MY MOM'S BIRDIE SLING

My first completed project from my Finishing List! This one was the easiest to finish. It’s good to start with an easy victory. I merely had to hand sew the hole closed on the inside lining of the bag. Still, sometimes those little details stop us from finishing a project for way too long.

I made this Birdie Sling for my mom for Christmas (2009). The fabrics I chose for her ended up feeling pretty summery – French General Linen/Cotton blend with birds and a coral pink batik for the lining, so I’ve finished it just in time to get some good use this season. I tried something a little different this time, rather than using interfacing or muslin on the inside, I used an organic cotton canvas that we have in the shop. I’ve used this previously on other bags I’ve made and like the results. I just baste the canvas to my pieces before sewing them together. It also means I don’t need as much. When using interfacing, every single piece gets a layer of interfacing. With the canvas, I just did a single layer of canvas for each part. For example, I basted the canvas to one of the layers of the handle and not the other. One layer of the canvas between the two gives enough stability.

I made a special label for the inside by typing onto muslin and did some machine embroidery to embellish the pockets. Once you’ve made a couple Birdie Slings, you don’t even need to look at the instructions and it’s a pretty satisfying project to complete.

Although I’m enjoying my Day in the Park Backpack Tote, there’s something really great about the roomy Birdie Sling. As soon as I find the perfect fabric, I’ll be making myself another, for sure.

Posting my Finishing List has gotten me really motivated. I almost finished machine quilting my Buzz Saw quilt last night. More finished projects coming soon!