Whew! I made it!

Well, I did it!  It is March 30th and I just finished the March bag from the Bag of the Month Club.  I didn't think that was going to happen.

The bag is The Convertible Bag from Samantha at Sewing Patterns by Mrs H.  Her Etsy store is here.  This is a cross body messenger type bag that can be converted into a backpack style bag.  I decided not to put the backpack pieces on as I thought it would be used more as a messenger.

This is a good looking, great sized bag that sports a thumb catch latch closing that highlights a contrasting front pocket.  I really like the look of that.  This bag has 2 slip pockets and 2 zipper pockets, one of each on the inside and one of each on the outside.

I had this fabric in my stash.  I liked it when I bought it but never found the right bag to use it on.  When I went to make this bag, I couldn't decide if I still liked it.  Now that the bag is done, I really like it again.

 I paired it with a denim look quilting cotton for the lining and a bright green home dec fabric for the straps and the contrasting pocket.

Here is the finished bag front.  This is the first time I have used a thumb catch and it was super easy to install.  The one I used was attached with a rivet.  All I had to do was punch the hole for the rivet, spread the metal plate of the catch far enough to insert the bag flap and then attach the rivet as usual.  It was much easier, faster and less messy than installing a twist lock.  I could get used to these.  I'm glad I bought several of them.

Here is the back view without the backpack pieces.

Now I am ready for the April bag.....