First, the shirt. This was from a Simplicity pattern. I bought the fabric months ago and searched for a while to find a pattern that I wanted to pair with it. I love the combination of the fabric and the fuzzy zigzag trim. This was my first venture altering the bustline of a commercial pattern to better fit me - I added a dart from the side seam that helped allow for more fullness in the top. It fits me much better than it does my dressform - I haven't quite perfected the padding on the model yet.
I handstitched the trim so that the sewing line would be invisible, and there's a zipper in the back of the shirt. The only tedious part of this shirt was the hem on all the handkerchief sections. It was a narrow hem: iron 1/4" under, edgestitch, trim close to stitching, fold under and iron again, edgestitch again. The fabric has a loose weave which meant I couldn't trim it quickly after the initial stitching for fear of the scissors cutting both layers - it gave the shirt a clean finished look but took several evenings to accomplish.
Next is the messenger bag, also from a Simplicity pattern. Daniel and I wanted a bag that either of us could wear and that would work well hanging in the front or back. We headed down to Fabric Row for the fabric - it's a home decor canvas called "Spirograph" that we both love. The bag is fully self-lined and I used bias tape for the edges which I stitched twice rather than just basting as called for in the instructions. I also used a securing stitch on the straps to reinforce them. I added a loop inside for a keychain, but there are no extra pockets inside the bag. If I were to make this again I think I would extend the strap a bit (it's adjustable with velcro and fits both of us, but I tend to wear messenger bags a little lower) and possibly add an interior pocket.
This is the view of the strap from above. The visible velcro rectangles are on the portion of the strap that attaches to the side of the bag - the other strap attaches to the top of the bag.
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