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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: Charlie’s Aunt Kitchen Garden Bag

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2012.
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!

Whenever I ask Julianna from Sewing Under Rainbow to guest post for me, she always says she is a beginner or that she has not sewn a bag in many years…I think she is being exceptionally modest! If you take a look at her blog, you will certainly get lost in all her completed projects and want to Pin just about every one of them (like I do on my Pinterest!). She is a quilting and paper piecing genius. Trust me.

Hi, I’m Julianna and I blog over at Sewing Under Rainbow. Huge thank you to Sara, who invited me to this event (I love love love blog events organized by Sara, always inspiring and challenging!).

I love vintage styled bags and that’s why I chose to make “Kitchen Garden” Bag by Emma Brennan (“Charlie’s Aunt“). This pattern is perfect to make bags in a bit more modern look too (just use modern fabrics). Pattern is available as pdf download.



Materials needed to make the bag

The pattern suggest using wool tweeds, plaids, corduroy, heavy cotton or decorator fabrics for the exterior. From the very beginning I knew I will use home decor fabrics from Country Hill collection by Denyse Schmidt and Drawing Room collection by Anna Maria Horner. I used regular quilting cotton for lining (Pop Garden by Heather Bailey).
This is no zipper pattern (you need to have zipper if you want to have zippered inside pocket, but the closure of the bag doesn’t require zipper), the only material you need (except fabrics and interfacing) is magnetic snap (+ buttons if you want them for decoration).
The pattern suggest using fusible interfacing. I used some typical Polish interfacing (it’s really hard to translate its name).
Pattern Pieces
There are only 6 main pieces: front, exterior pocket, back, 2 handles and tab flap  (+ 2 pieces for lining and pieces for inside pocket). The bag is medium sized, so cutting (on fold) is easy-peasy (and doesn’t require huge cutting mat).

Illustrations/Instructions 

Pattern is easy to follow, but be sure to check first the basic instructions (at the beginning of the pattern) and the instructions located at the end (including very helpful instructions of attaching the magnetic snap). If you are (like me:) person, who doesn’t follow patterns, just read the instructions (and follow step-by-step illustration) concerning more difficult parts as zippered inside pocket and attaching the magnetic snap.


Modifications
 
I changed only a few things. I made front pocket from two fabrics (instead of one) – just to have beautiful flower on the front. I also didn’t use so many fusible interfacing as suggested.

Difficulty Level 

This pattern is for intermediate to advanced people, but confident beginners will also be able to make this bag (for example, you can resign from zippered inside pocket, but don’t be afraid of attaching magnetic snap – if you follow instructions, you will find it as very easy!).

Final thoughts:) 

The pattern is written professionally with easy to follow instructions and illustrations. When I finished the bag I was so proud (I don’t sew bags often, I made a very few bags long time ago) and I will definitely made this bag again!

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10 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: Charlie’s Aunt Kitchen Garden Bag

  1. I love Emma Brennan’s patterns they are very thorough and her bags are just a little bit different.

    Love this bag too.

  2. Sara says:

    Beautiful fabric choices! I love how they compliment one another.

  3. What a cute bag…I love the shape!

  4. I haven’t tried a bag in a very long time. This is so cute, I’d really like to try it. Love that you put the flower in front, it adds so much. I would be very proud too if mine turned out this good! Thanks for sharing.

  5. Katy Cameron says:

    Love how this came out, fab fabric choices :o)

  6. Carol says:

    I’ve really enjoyed Purse Palooza and can’t wait to check in everyday!

  7. shariwild says:

    I Love Love Love this pattern!!!!The shape is just wonderful to show off some great fabrics and I have just the ones in mind. The use of 2 fabrics for the front pocket instead of 1 is perfect.
    [email protected] Thanks for the tut.

  8. Garden Sheds says:

    Cute pattern! I really love it!

  9. Sophia Thent says:

    Good looking garden bags! Want to have one!

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