Hallo Deutschland!

Yes, I'm in Germany to visit my family, yay! Haven't been there in a year, so it was about time.
As mentioned in previous blog posts, it just so happens that I like to make something new for myself every time I travel. Don't know why, but it is really becoming a well-loved habit of mine :)
(Read about my great getaway bag, my piping hot hobo and my mini travel sleeve to learn more about my previous pre-vacation projects!)

When I went to Germany last year I traveled with the great getaway bag as my hand luggage. I really enjoyed carrying that colorful happy bag around but eventually decided not to use it this year, but to use a small suitcase as carry-on instead. Main reason: My big suitcase will be way too heavy when I fly back to the US due to all the Nutella, chocolate and other vital stuff you need in the US as a foreigner :) Last time I had to make my mom send me a package with all the stuff I bought, so this year I will just pack a lot of it into my hand luggage instead. Problem solved, the only thing is that I need a suitcase to pull, I would never be able to carry those heavy things on my arm in my bag.

I quickly decided that to make up for the boring carry-on I would need an exciting handbag. So I made one!

I found this nice fabric and matched it with a burgundy colored lining fabric. I wanted a large bag that would carry all my essentials during the flight (you know, like phone, wallet, book, magazine, sweater…) and could be stored under my seat. My bag measures approx. 30 x 44 cm (12 x 17") and has a depth of 10 cm (4").

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I put in a recessed zipper, since I like my handbags to be "hermetically sealed", especially when I am hanging around airports and other places with lots of traffic… you never know.
On the inside there is one relatively large zipper pocket and two slip pockets. The handles (faux leather) are used, coming from an old (and ugly) bag that I found at a flea market last year.

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I love the pockets on the outside of the bag! They are basically made of one large piece of fabric, which is folded into pleats in the middle and then topstitched down onto the center of the main body piece of the bag. This creates two pockets on either side, each of which got its own flap with a magnetic snap! I found this kind of front pocket in my Lisa Lam book A bag for all reasons. She has a large diaper bag (called The Fashionista Baby Bag) in there that has those front pockets. They look super stylish but are really easy to make.
The bag is completely interfaced with "By Annie's Soft and Stable". It makes the bag look really professional, yet it it relatively easy to work with.

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I love my new bag! My cats do too :-)

Cute little Oscar making sure the fabric gets all flattened out...

I love the size of this bag!

Awwww.... the day before I left the US for my vacation in Germany. I wish I could bring Henry as well!