Sewing catch-up: Two bags and a coat

Is this purple coat super cute or what??? I used a raincoat pattern, McCall's 6392, and added a lining as well as a doubleknit inner layer for extra warmth.

The fabric is a fuzzy wool mohair number by Anna Sui, from Fabric Mart. Note to self: sewing with fuzzy mohair is a pain in the behind. It leaves lint all over the machine and is too thick for making automatic buttonholes. But my daughter loves it, since it is downright cozy.

This bag is my entry for the Handbag Contest going on over at Pattern Review.

My daughter decided she has outgrown her Hello Kitty backpack and wanted a new bag to carry her school books. She decided on a messenger style and picked this Richloom Oslo home dec fabric from my stash. The pattern is The Organized Office Bag from Lisa Lam's book, The Bag Making Bible.

Check out the awesome chunky hardware!   The swivel clasps are the largest, sturdiest, and most nicely finished that I've been able to find so far.  Unfortunately they were from Fashionista Fabrics, which is now out of business.  So sad.

The Bag Making Bible is an absolutely amazing book and a must-have for anyone who sews lots of bags. There are step by step instructions for many techniques, and several bag patterns to practice. Using the book, putting in the zipper welt pocket (my first time!) was a cinch.

This lil' bag is from the new book, Stitch Savvy by Deborah Moebes, and I made it for my daughter's friend's birthday. Her friend likes horse, and this Heather Ross fabric is so cute. I like how Deborah's book has varied projects, from home decor to bags to clothing. It's very well-rounded and she has a great snappy writing style.

My health has been consistently a lot better lately. Woohoo! After feeling pretty ill in various ways for over four years, I am finally close to the end of the tunnel. !!!!!! I now have a lot more energy and strength to go out and do normal things like run errands and have outings with my kids, and obviously I've also been able to sew a lot. I am totally loving it!!