Manchester Metallics summer bag

I was completely thrilled when I got an email from Kristin at Sew Mama Sew that I had been selected to participate in the Robert Kaufmann Fabrics summer bag challenge, featuring the brand-new and absolutely gorgeous Manchester Metallics line!

Getting to work with this fabric was the perfect way to celebrate the fact that  I’m finally graduating out of using a diaper bag with my kids, and so I need a new, big summer bag for myself!  I couldn’t help “oooooh”-ing to myself when I opened the package.  This fabric is so elegantly shimmery.

I chose to make the “Hey Mercedes” bag from Windy City Bags by Sara Lawson.  I modified the pattern to make some cosmetic changes.  As I considered which fabrics to use, I was immediately drawn to the “Evening” color.  I chose the “Silver” Manchester Metallic for the straps and accent on the pocket.  To give the bag a more casual and summer-y feel, I browsed for summer color palettes with a navy base, and as soon as I saw navy paired with bright yellow, I knew I had a winning combination– I paired the Manchester Metallics with Kona Highlight and Kona Candy Green for accents and the lining.   I altered the bag pattern to add the contrast stripes on the outer pockets (I put a pocket on both sides, rather than just one as per the pattern), and the lining is color blocked with yellow and aqua.

It was an absolute delight to work with the Manchester Metallics.  They are simply beautiful (the shine is so hard to capture in photos…the fabric is even more stunning in person!). The metallic fabrics have a lovely drape and smooth texture (which makes me curious to try them for dressmaking…) and yet they are stable enough to make a structured bag.

It was windy!

Make sure to have a look at all of the other fantastic bags made with these gorgeous Manchester Metallics here:

Mo Bedell
Sandy Whitelaw of UpStairs Hobby Room
Michelle Morris of That Black Chic
Kathy Green of Designs by KTGreen
Carrie Federer of carrie bee
Anne Zeitler of AnneZPlace
Sanchia Gair of Red Brolly
Natalie Strand of Vegetablog  (that’s me!)
Devida Bushrod of The Driftwood Thimble
Sara Johansen of The Sara Project
Sarah Sharp of No Hats in the House
Michelle Webster of michellepatterns
Marni Weaver of Haberdashery Fun
Jenny of My Handmade Home

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Disclaimer: I received the Robert Kaufman Fabrics (Manchester Metallics and Kona Cotton) free in conjunction with Sew Mama Sew’s Summer Bag Challenge in exchange for an honest review.