This is a pattern I picked up on the website http://www.ithinksew.com. It was supposed to be MM’s anniversary gift, but time ran away from me, and now I’m almost a month late getting it done.
To be honest, a great deal of effort had to go into getting the hardware required for the bag. I even sent a message to the website to get some advice regarding where to find the hardware (rivets and such) in the appropriate sizes, and if the hardware found on that website was what the pattern was looking for. Unfortunately, I never got a response from them. Irritating, really. Luckily, Etsy came in handy here.
I picked up a navy blue denim to be used as the outside fabric, a woven fabric with an old-school world map print for the interior, and a faux leather for the trim. It’s the first time I’ve used leather, so we’ll see how it goes.
I highly suggest reading the full instructions before starting. I sometimes skip doing this, but after having issues finding the hardware, I decided that it was for the best, reading everything, to make sure I had everything I needed by way of tools.
I don’t plan on modifying this pattern yet – I’ll follow the instructions as closely as I can. So, no extra pockets or snaps, and since it’s made with both handles as well as a should strap, there will be no need to create modifications for those additions. So, we’ll go with the pieces that the pattern instructs to be cut out.
First was creating the outside large pocket, which only entailed of double folding the top edge and top-stitching it. This wouldn’t have been a big deal if my machine hadn’t decided that it didn’t want to work with a denim needle and heavy duty thread. I lost about 10 minutes untangling thread from the bobbin mechanism and detaching the fabric from the plate.
Once I had successfully completed the top-stitching, I was instructed to baste it to the main bag panel.
It was at this point that I realized that I’d missed the major step of adding the interfacing to all the appropriate pieces first.
I have to say that I’m not thrilled with the instructions of this bag so far. I do appreciate the pictures for every single step, but the actual written instructions need a little more clarity. “Sew a rectangle” isn’t really enough for me here.
Next was the zipper pocket, which is where I really had the most trouble with the instructions. I had to go back to an Appendix, but not complete the entire Appendix, which wasn’t mentioned in the Appendix itself. See my issue here?
To be fair, I’ve wondered how to make zippered pockets like this, and now I know. It’s not terribly difficult, but again, the instructions had me scratching my head for a bit. A ruler actually comes in handy here, as the paper printed patterns aren’t see-through, and it’s a little difficult to mark where the zipper opening should go.
Pressing the thing open was a little odd as well, what with the excess fabric.
Attaching the zipper was fairly easy, too, though a 6″ zipper would have worked here in place of the 7″, making a little less waste in the long run.
Next up is adding the webbing for the handles. This was also not terribly difficult, though I will say that the instructions are a little difficult to follow. It would have been a LOT easier if the pattern had specified measurements of where to place the webbing, or where to sew the webbing. Seriously, what’s wrong with specifics?!?!
Following the webbing is placing the bottom, which gives the bag a little more sturdiness. I have to say, this was the easiest part of the bag, not counting the large pocket…
And then the leather, or in my case, the faux leather. I should have done what the instructions suggested, which was using fabric glue to adhere the pieces to the fabric first before sewing them down. It probably would have helped the piece stay in place so that the sewing wouldn’t made them shift.
After both of the bottom leather pieces were sewn in, it was time to rivet! Once again, it would have been nice to have more specific instructions beyond “put them where they are on the pattern piece,” but maybe that’s my engineering brain talking.
I do like how they look, though.
Next it was time to put the faux leather around the side pocket. This thing gave me all sorts of trouble. Cutting out the hole for the zipper, getting the thing sewn in around the zipper, then putting in the rivets so far into the fabric that I had to roll the fabric so that it my fabric puncher could get there.
You’ll notice in the picture that the rivets are a bit off – they’re not in the same location on the webbing straps. Irritating.
Adding the lining and the zipper was next. It was after I sewed the zipper and lining to the exterior that I realized I’d missed a step – putting a pocket in the lining. In addition, after following incorrect steps regarding how they wanted me to shorten the zipper, I could no longer close the thing.
I could have ripped out the zipper, saving the material, but I was so irritated by the outsize zipper’s leather, and a couple other things that had not gone well, I decided to start over. This required me to order a new zipper and a couple other things, which delayed me. So I started the side panels. They turned out pretty good!
Once all the replacement hardware showed up, I was back!
I actually didn’t have the right amount of the lining to cut it out as the pattern expects, so I had to sew three pieces together. This actually worked out well, since the fabric has a pattern direction. I was then able to pretty easily put the pocket I’d missed earlier in as well. Oh! And my label.
It took me a little while to get myself back to where I had given up before. This time, I followed my instinct when it came to the zipper, and made sure to measure where the eyelets go. I got a little rushed when it came to the bottom rivets, so they’re a bit wonky, but they’ll work.
It was then time to attach the side panels to the main body, and put some bias binding around the edges. This gave me some trouble, so the next time I make this pattern, I’d have to use a little more care.
And finally, it was time to make the handles and the shoulder strap. I forgot to take pictures of this process, but it really wasn’t too difficult. And so, here’s the end result!
All in all, the bag’s a little smaller than I had anticipated, but it’ll work for MM’s needs. The instructions REALLY leave something to be desired. I’ll have to really talk myself into buying another pattern from this particular website. Or I’m just going to have to like the bag. A LOT.