Hello, hello, hello! I was absolutely chuffed to be given the opportunity to be a guest blogger on Sara’s Purse Palooza this year! Of course my husband still thinks the word palooza is hilarious, but I think it’s brilliant!
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| Sugar & Spice bag by Mrs H, design by Chris W designs |
I had the very great honour of making up the Sugar & Spice bag pattern from Chris W designs, which I chose because of it’s fresh, interesting look. Of course I hate sewing piping in, so I didn’t really think that one through until I came to sew it up!
I would say that if you are new to using one of Christine’s patterns, don’t be too daunted by the size of it to begin with. This pattern was made up of 47 pages in total, although it was indexed with the chapter markers on the left of the PDF. So that you’re not too scared by the size of this I’ve broken it down into what the pages were!
26 pages of instructions including 52 colour photos
8 pages of pattern pieces including 1/4″ smaller stabiliser pieces & rectangles that other patterns might just give you dimensions for (like me!)
1 page of labels to cut out and pin onto your fabric when cut
6 pages of text only instructions (to save on printer ink)
1 cover page
1 letter from Chris including printing instructions
1 page with 5cm & 3″ squares for printing to check your sizing
1 page with features & fabric suggestions
1 page with materials list
1 page with a cutting list
But no partridges in pear trees 😉
I have to admit when I first downloaded it I thought, oh my, this is going to take me a while, but in truth, it’s just that Christine’s patterns are very detailed, and filled with explanations and tips, great for those who are newer to bag making, or like a lot of information.
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| If you could try to ignore my wonky rivets, we’ll be friends forever! |
So to make up the bag, I used cotton from Kate Spain’s Serenade line, Thistle in the Damson colour way. I decided to use lilac piping for the pockets, and then I wanted a contrasting colour for the straps. Choosing the colour took me way too long, and far too many emails to Kate Spain & Moda, although both were very helpful! I like it when fabric designers like Jeni Baker (via her blog) make sure you know which solids co-ordinate with their line, it’s much easier for us makers!
In the end I went for Moda Bella Solids Eggplant (which we all know is aubergine really!)
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| Piped pockets & aubergine straps, plus a bit of pattern matching-ish! |
Let me tell you this though, I absolutely detest sewing in piping, so I chose to only use it on the pockets (which are front & back) and not for the rest of the bag, despite Christine’s very detailed instructions on how to sew piping in.
I also used rivets for the first time on this bag and followed Christine’s helpful blog post about how to insert rivets. The main lesson I learnt there was that if you can’t put two in evenly, despite using a ruler, just use one! Or end up with wonky rivets like me.
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| Zipped top closure |
For my straps, I didn’t use any strap fleece, I just used the strap interfacing, I didn’t want my straps to be too bulky because my modern sewing machine is a bit precious about sewing too many layers! I also didn’t sew any lines inside the straps, I prefer my straps un-quilted.
The pattern is peppered with Christine’s personality and humorous comments “…to secure the strap and for added strength for when you carry your kitchen sink! LOL”
I also added a zipped pocket on the inside instead of one of the slip pockets, I think us ladies usually always need a zipped pocket for our special lady things (like hidden chocolate bars, right?).
The only other modification I made was that I top stitched around the top edge of the bag when it was all finished and done. I think I probably needed some definition there because I hadn’t used piping.
Overall I’m very pleased with my bag although I wish the drama over the moda solid colour had been a bit less! I tried to pattern match the pockets to the main fabric because I was using such a large design, but it would have been far easier to not worry about the pattern matching.
Christine very kindly gave me a copy of this pattern for free, before it was released to the general public so that I had plenty of time to make my bag and type up my review, thank you very much Christine!
Thank you Sara for hosting this palooza *cue husband’s giggles*, I love making bags, and it’s a great excuse to take some time out to do some selfish sewing!!
Great bag and fabric choice. Christine does write excellent instructions and they are easy to follow. The rivets are a nice touch too.
Awesome bag! I love Samantha, she is indeed hilarious!
Great review! Having never doine piping I might not be up for this pattern.
You can really easily leave the piping out, I only did it along the tops of the pockets rather than around the whole bag 🙂
Love that fabric!! Cute bag, I think I am in the same place with piping…as in avoid it.
Love the colors! Great bag!
this is a gorgeous purse, I love the inset zip and the piping & hardware on the handles makes it a nice professional finish! thanks for sharing
Love love love the fabrics! And the pattern 🙂
Beautiful job! I was just thinking of buying this pattern to make as a diaper bag! Do you think the size is good for a diaper bag?
It would be ok as a diaper bag, unless you like to tote the whole nursery around with you!! You might find it a touch on the small size otherwise. I managed to fit an enormous amount of junk in mine though if that helps?
honestly, piping is not that difficult. The first time I worked with piping, I had to use my zipper foot but with a piping foot, it is even easier and adds so much. I love this bag pattern, you did a beautiful job and really, I wouldn’t have noticed that the rivets are wonky, had it not been pointed out!
Great bag! Rivets and metal rings really makes it!
I LOVE THE EGGPLANT. It goes will with any shade of purple, in my opinion! I especially love quilting with eggplant thread on black fabric…very dramatic. Nice addition of the zippered pocket. Thank you for contributing!
This bag looks great! I really like your fabric choices and modifications. Your purple color photographed beautifully!!! I love the recessed zipper and the hardware. Well done!!! I was very excited to see this review because I have a Sugar ‘n Spice bag cut out right now and I’m in the process of sewing it.
I do plan on using the piping–it’s really not hard once you get the hang of it, and I learned how to do it through smocking children’s outfits (they usually took piping). The hardest (if it can be considered hard) part of the process for me is making the piping–but it is worth it because for me it will get that third contrasting/coordinating color on the bag.
I really like Christine W’s patterns–her written details and photos are fantastic–the first bag I tested for her was an advanced bag, and if I had really known what I was getting into, I probably would have panicked! 🙂 However, she’ s so great at taking the sewist step by step that before you know it, you’re done and you have a great bag.
Krista
Beautiful fabric and colours. I hate doing piping too but as a tester for this bag had to do my best to include it. I got as far as the pockets and top of the bag. Love the rivets too wonky or not.
Love the bag and fabric colors…I’m a purple/lavender girl myself!! And I love piping, I think it just finishes things off so nicely.and the rivets look fine to me 🙂
Love it, Love it, Love it !! Gotta make this bag ! !! 🙂
Great bag! Your fabric combination makes it look great. I also want to try using rivets soon. Christine is great at giving instructions that everyone can understand. I love her patterns and bag designs. I still have a couple of patterns that I own from her that I haven’t sewn: the Abigail and Olivia. Then I can give this one a try also.
Oh I think wonky rivets are better than no rivets! LOLL Your fabric choices are GORGEOUS Samantha….thank you so much for choosing to review one of my patterns! I am tickled pink about that! 🙂
Beautiful bag!
I absolutely love this bag, and the fabrics you chose are perfect! I’m definitely adding this one to my to-do list!
Love your bag. The colour combination is great. I’m about to start on this pattern as well and also thinking about avoiding the piping, coward that I am! One of these days I might get braver and give it a go. I too love Christine’s patterns. She explains it all so clearly that my sewing skills have improved so much. And as a member of the “wonky rivets club” I’ve decided that they’re not wonky, they’re just indiviualistically placed!
LOL, I love it, thanks!! Individualistically placed!!
Great bag. This is also on my to do list one day!
Those rivets look fine to me!