Weekend project: A linen bag to hold knitting accoutrements. One little detail I'm proud of is the addition of snaps on the interior seams which hold the bottom square while in use, but can be undone to allow folding for storage.
Pattern: Stowe bag by Grainline Studio; 100% linen from Joann Fabrics
New skills: Sewing on a curve, using a paper pattern, sewing bias tape
Lessons: Measuring bias tape before you cut is essential (measure twice, cut once - my machine shop instructors would have been proud).
Trace the pattern on the fabric rather than cutting around it.
Double your thread while hand stitching snaps if don't want to spend the rest of your life hand stitching snaps.
Ironing and pressing are different things (!!).
If you offset your needle from center, you can line up the edge of your bias tape with the center of the presser foot and end up with a very tidy edge stitch.
What I'd do differently: Make the backstitching on the pocket tops a little shorter (just to the folded over seam).