It all began when summer weather came early, and summer weather always calls for a summer purse. The Chess Bag was a kit I picked up at Road to California from a booth run by By Hands, USA. I’ve purchased from them many times (I have yet to make the Totoro Bag I picked up in the Before Times, but is no longer sold).
The kit also appealed to me because they sewed up the hard part for me: all those teeny chess board squares. I thought the back looked as good as the front.
I quilted the chessboard squares to batting, but it was too floppy, so then I quilted the whole thing to ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable, which gave it more body. I did parallel lines, but had to raise the quilting shank because it was so thick.
I used some scraps from the kit and made two interior pockets. Can’t have a summer purse without pockets!
I love the silvery color of the background against the russets, deep greens and blues in these fabrics.
I couldn’t sew on the handles as neatly as she did, so appliquéd on some squares to cover up the mess.
The End!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
It is beautiful. You really did a nice job. Thanks for sharing the details.
What a gorgeous bag! It’s stunning!
Well,, really, who could resist when the tiny squares were pre-sewn? It’s lovely!
I noticed your new purse and really liked it. Now I know you made it I am more impressed! Love Susan
On Sun, Apr 3, 2022 at 4:01 AM OccasionalPiece–Quilt! wrote:
> Elizabeth E. posted: ” It all began when summer weather came early, and > summer weather always calls for a summer purse. The Chess Bag was a kit I > picked up at Road to California from a booth run by By Hands, USA. I’ve > purchased from them many times (I have yet to make th” >
Nice new bag! I was just shopping online for a small summer bag and wondered if I should attempt to make something that’s just right instead. Just not sure I’m motivated for that type of sewing.
Of course you have to have inside pockets! Looks very practical and so cute! Nice job!
Every bag needs pockets- pretty much like dresses I think! And yours is gorgeous- front. back and inside! Love the handles too.
Such a pretty bag and I like how you photographed it! Stylish!
Cute! And you’re right, every purse needs pockets. We’ll done. I can’t believe I missed their booth at Road. I hope they will be there next year. I’m already looking forward to it!
That looks like a great bag. Good idea to add the pockets. Even with pockets, I can never find anything. lol That’s fabulous that they already had those squares sewn together.