DIAGONAL Sweater Handbag

Would you believe me if I told you that this cute handbag used to be a sweater?

True and here is the story of how the Sweater Handbag came to be....

At first I had no idea what I was going to do for this month's challenge. I was still looking at everything from a GREEN point of view. I figured sooner or later something will click, until then though I could do some mending. I was going to grab the storage box from the closet that had all the clothes and stuffed animals waiting to be fixed, when I knocked down a bag with some old clothes I was either going donate or cut up. An old knit maternity sweater fell out. I wore this sweater while I was pregnant with each of my 4 boys. I did not have the heart to throw it out. It was one of the only items I have left from my pregnancies. I spread it out on my bed to take a good look. It was shapeless and huge. Should I unravel it and make a new sweater? Right...I am known not to finish sweaters. I stared at it for a while, wondering what to do.

 Seeing those beautiful cable rows, a picture started forming in my head, but at first I turned the sweater...

diagonal! And the rest just fell in place. I picked out a striped fabric for lining I knew I was going to cut on the bias to get the diagonal effect and some leather look-alike for details.

 Next I set down to plan the bag and make the pattern. I knew that cutting up the sweater first would cause problems, so I traced my pattern onto the wrong side of the sweater and sewed following the line. Then I cut the pieces out. All week I sewed whenever I got a chance but it was still not done by Saturday night. I really wanted to finish it for Mother's Day. I just needed to do some finishing touches. I did not think I was going to have time until Monday but  thanks to my kids and husband who made dinner, I was able to finish it today, on Mother's Day. See, even the strap is diagonal!

 It is perfect! Big enough for diapers, wet wipes, snacks, a few small cars, wallet and keys with a bit of room to spare. And I have something I can hang on to as my youngest is growing up.