Here's one I made earlier... Amy Butler Yoga Bag

As I have sworn off the sewing machine until I've finished my assignment (sigh), here's one I made earlier. This is an Amy Butler "Nigella" yoga bag, which is a free download.

Sorry about the photo quality, both my helper monkeys have gone to bed early. I'll try and add a better quality pic soon.

Sadly I couldn't stretch the finances to Amy Butler fabric, so this is Ikea fabric from the Bargain Bin - £3 for a couple of metres. I've lined it with some striped pink and cream fabric that has been in my stash for about 15 years. That was another bargain purchase from C&H Fabrics in Brighton. Goodness knows what I thought I was going to do with it at the time, but it just goes to show that hoarding pays off!

So this bag gets weekly use at my Pilates class. It was pretty easy to make too, although I was a bit scared about the circle at the base.That went on really easily though and this was one of the first things I made with the Phantom Foot Pedal. There's a pocket at the bottom for stuffing car keys in. I'm tempted to make a matching water bottle carrier, but I haven't got round to it yet.

I like the really wide strap, which is super comfy to carry. I think the yoga mat poking out is a deliberate part of the design, but if you were OCD you could make the bag a bit longer and insert a drawstring.

Grown-up helper monkey has taken this picture. He seemed more interested in photographing my bum than the bag.

So, I recommend the pattern. I'm also very tempted by the Amy Butler Weekender Bag pattern, which isn't free, but looks like a really useful bag. And of course, lovely in her fabric.