Have You Tried Bow Tucks?

It happens to all of us...every year...

another BIRTHDAY!

This week we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday.

{I know mother-in-laws have the starring role in many jokes, 

but I'm happy to say I've got a great one!  I'm very lucky, I know!}

I needed to come up with a present for her...

Hmmm...a new can opener?

{She just got one of those.}

A new car?

{She doesn't really like to drive.  Whew!}

A puppy?

{She already has a Grand-dog, so I don't think she needs her own puppy!}

It was time to GO TO my go-to present...

the Mini Bow Tucks Bag!

{Pattern by Quilts Illustrated}

I must have made dozens of these bags over the past few years.

Lots of my friends carry them...

And they ask me to make a new one every once in a while, when they want a fresh new look.

My mother-in-law likes to wear neutral colors like tan,

and fall is coming soon to Pennsylvania,

so I pulled out some chocolatey browns from my stash.

I decided to use lots of prints from Breakfast at Tiffany's

by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda.

{I think it came out in 2011, and I invested heavily in it!}

Here's the result...

I love this bag so much.  It's got the soft support that comes from

Pellon 987F fusible interfacing.

The inside has a strip pocket, for those of us who love an organized purse.

I add in my own modifications...a zippered pocket and a magnetic snap.

Most of all I love those sweet bow tucks...

they make the shape of the purse so youthful and pretty,

with no need for a visit to the doctor!

{Happy Birthday, Jeanne!}