Market Bag for Mum

It was my Mum's birthday last Sunday.  I'm really into giving things that are practical so I made her this market bag over a week ago and sent it to her (she' currently on an extended holiday in the Med).  Life is quite different there, she doesn't have a car so does her grocery shopping on a more daily basis.  I got the idea from Traci's versions of the Jane Market bag but worked out the basic pattern myself with the help of the free Poochie Bag pattern.  The finished bag is much larger at 14"x14.5".

Click for a larger image

I wish I had taken a photo of the back (no pocket) and the lining (the duck egg blue dot) but I was in a hurry to get to the post office.  The floral is a Lecien I have had in my stash for a couple of years, it's quite a heavy fabric I'm not sure if it's duckcloth.  I only used interfacing (Vilene H640 iron-on fleece) on the straps to give them some padding and I like the dimension it gives with the topstitching.  I also had a play around with no-cord piping in the construction of the pocket out of the same fabric I used on the straps.  It was a complete experiment since I've never worked with any kind of piping before.  The bottom of the pocket where I turned it right-side out is not perfect but a least it's hidden.

I think the bag has got a Cath Kidston & retro vibe but it is quite appropriate for an elderly lady.

There are a few more photos on my Flickr.