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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: V. and Co. Favorite Bag

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

Today’s guest post is from Amy of amylouwho? Amy’s is the very first blog I ever read and followed. Before that, I had no idea what blogging was! Amy has Sew and Tell Friday on her blog every week, where you can link up a finished project that you had for the week. Check it out this Friday!!

I’m so happy to be a part of Purse Palooza 2012! When Sara asked me to participate I knew exactly which bag I wanted to review. The Favorite Bag by Vanessa of V. and Co.  The bag is featured on the cover of her book Make It Sew Modern (which, by the way, is full of other amazing projects! Including the cute flower!).

I’m used to carrying around a large purse/diaper/messenger bag.  So I love the relatively small size of this bag that carries my necessities- and I can still throw in a diaper and wipes if needed.  It finishes at 16.5″ x 11.5″.

The Favorite Bag



Fabric and Interfacing
I was given the fabric I used and don’t have the designer information other than it’s a nice weight quilter’s cotton.  I believe it is an older Robert Kauffman print.  I used a light weight prepackaged interfacing by Pellon.  It gives the bag a little bit of body while keeping it soft and flexible.

I think this bag would work well in a decorator weight fabric.  You would probably be able to skip the interfacing step if you used a heavier fabric.

Pattern
You only need a little over 1/2 yard of the exterior and interior prints for this bag – so it’s something you could conceivably sew out of your stash which is nice.  AND you don’t have to print out or use any pattern pieces.  You just follow the cutting instructions and you can use your rotary cutter and a ruler.  Which is always a plus in my book!

Instructions
The bag comes together really quickly.  The directions are clear and have great illustrations to go along with it.  Which I appreciate since I usually need visuals to help me understand the written instructions. I definitely think this would be a perfect bag for a beginner.

There is one interior pocket you sew onto the lining.  The instructions show topstitching down the pocket to divide it in two compartments.  I chose not to do that.  Sometimes I like it, because it divides the bag into two, but sometimes I end up loading up the pocket thinking it’s the bag. This is not the patterns fault – I wish I had followed the instructions so I could have a smaller pocket for my cell phone.

The Favorite Bag - interior pocket

The one thing I might add when I make this again is a magnetic snap closure.  I do like being able to close up the top a bit.  You know, in case it slides off the pile of stuff on my passenger seat or something… (eep!)

The Flower
The book also includes the pattern for the cute detachable folded-petal flower.  I used this Michael Miller fabric from my stash.  I love that you put it on a bar pin so you can wear it on a sweater or switch out the accent color on the bag!  I’ve only made this one, but would LOVE to make more.  I’m a little bit afraid of my glue gun, so this was actually more intimidating for me than the bag!

cutest fabric flower EVER.



Conclusion
This is a great bag for beginner’s with easy instructions and a great result.  It’s nice too that it comes in a book full of other cute things (bags, pillow, accessories) so your money is well spent.  It’s definitely the bag I grab when I am going out on a date or without kids.  I have plans to make more of these, one possibly for a teacher gift if I get my act together this week!

Thanks Sara for having me!  I hope you pick up the book and make a bag (or 5!)

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5 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: V. and Co. Favorite Bag

  1. Jenny says:

    Oh…this is such a darling bag! Love that color combo!!

  2. Cherie says:

    Gorgeous bag! Love the fabric print =D

  3. Lee says:

    I love this bag- great fabric too! thanks for the review of the pattern!

  4. Katy Cameron says:

    Cute, especially with the wee flower

  5. Think I found my next bag!

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