About a year ago, my father-in-law gave me money to buy a sewing machine. I was thrilled! I needed an easy project to sew, since my sewing experience is very limited. But as I wandered around the fabric store, nothing jumped out at me. Plus, I don’t have a permanent space for my sewing machine, so I tucked it away in the basement, and there it sat.

Just last week, I had an idea. Lily’s dance bag was getting too small for both her tap shoes and her ballet shoes, so I wondered; was there an easy dance bag pattern out there that would fit my lack of sewing skills? I found the perfect pattern on Simply Modern Mom. When I saw the hobo dance bag she made for her daughter, right away I knew I could make one, too! I just love the braided handle and the scrunchy fabric around the base of the handle. I made the handle longer than the pattern called for; I think it’s a great length for me, but a little too long for the girls.

Emmy with her butterfly hobo bag

See my sewing machine on the table in the background? I spent the afternoon sewing in the kitchen! It was nice to have the sun shining in through the windows, but I obviously can’t keep my sewing machine there. I’m still trying to figure out a place to sew.

Lily’s reversible bag; owls on one side, butterflies on the other!

A pleased Lily after dance class with her new bag!

I think my next project will be making one of these bags for myself! Are you working on any crafty projects right now?