Not Quite Gucci

I like to make bags and it has been awhile since I made one. I decided it was time for a new "purse".

I get comments all the time about the bag I am currently carrying. It is made from some of my beloved Laurel Burch fabric, from the Celestial Dreams line. It is bright and cheery, and makes people smile.

When asked where I got the bag, I have trained myself to say "It's a designer original". When asked how much I would charge to make them one, I started at $250. When  someone was seriously considering that price, I bumped it to $500. (I don't like commissions because I don't usually like to repeat a project.) Today, as I started making a new bag, I went looking for something similar on the Gucci site. Would you pay $1695 for this bag? I am obviously undervaluing my art!

I chose that bag because it is kind of like the one I am making.

Here is the outer shell.

Isn't that wonderful fabric? I got it at Ikea, for about $8/metre. It is a home dec fabric, about the weight of denim. On the other side of the bag, there is a guy on a motor scooter.
I am using a pattern for a Mail Sack but it didn't have as many pockets and zippers as I wanted so I am adding a few more!

Here is the exterior pocket I added, for my cell phone and keys.

I got carried away with the top stitching and forgot to add the fabric to the pocket, so it got slip stitched into place, then I top stitched again.
I must make notes for the next time I try this, so I can remember what I did if I want to do it again.

The lining is complete, but I need to make the strap, and add the top zipper, so things don't fall out. I tend to carry too much in my purse, so a smallish bag needs a zipper to keep everything confined.