Just wanted to share my latest project, which was a bit of a fanciful one (for me, that is). 

I set out to make a naturalist bag that could hold full-size or compact binoculars plus a phone and other small items like keys or field notes. I wanted it to also be a silent bag, meaning no metal coming into contact with metal. The design is pretty basic apart from the flycatcher pocket on front. I also sewed magnets onto the front and the back of the lid, and then onto the front and bag of the bag, so that you can secure the lid (quietly) in either the closed or the open position. 

Relatively happy with how it turned out, and it was a pretty fun project, too. 

As always, I learned a lot along the way. This was the first time I had done edge binding, and next time I'll cut my binding strips a bit wider so the stitching isn't as laborious. Oh -- and when I started the bag I planned to extend the gusset above the top of the bag by a couple of inches on either side to create inward-folding flaps. I ended up 86ing that plan because of some mild symmetry issues. Next time, perhaps :) If anyone has tips on how to get the gusset to align perfectly on both the front and back of the bag, I am listening with rapt attention !!!

  


Crossbody Birder Bag