I made this camera bag a few weeks ago for my mom for Christmas. This is the camera bag sewing pattern from the Serendipity Studio Media Frenzy booklet, which also contains a laptop bag, GPS bag, and camera sleeve. The camera bag can be made in 2 different sizes; the smaller one is on the cover of the booklet in the black and white fabrics, but I made the larger bag.
I have been meaning to make this bag for awhile. It’s been a really long time since I’ve made someone else’s bag pattern. It’s not that there aren’t great bag patterns out there, but since that’s what I do, I’d normally just design a new one. But this camera bag really intrigued me, and as this was the most advanced bag pattern from Serendipity Studio, I definitely wanted to challenge myself to make it!
Instead of using the Peltex that the pattern called for, I wanted to see what it would be like using Soft and Stable instead, and I was very pleased at the results. The exterior of the bag was very pleasant to put together. There are three pockets on the outside (one on the front, which also has two smaller pockets within it, and then one on each side). The pockets took some time, but the result is very beautiful.
Besides changing the interfacing a tiny bit, I didn’t make any other modifications to the pattern. There are instructions to use different fabrics for each part of the bag, but I used the 1-fabric layout, and just changed the fabric for the lining parts.
I was surprised at the innovation behind putting the bag together. From looking at it, it seems like there would be a pattern piece for the bottom, but the bottom is actually made by sewing a huge gusset at each corner. I’m probably just a huge bag making dork, but making that bottom really tickled me and I thought it was very cool.
I admit that making the lid was a bit challenging for me. The pattern instructions do mention that if, when attaching the lid, there is a gape at the back of the bag, the lid might need to be enlarged. I made 3 lids until I got it right (so I’d recommend making the lid first in a fabric that you don’t care about, just in case you need to make changes to it). But the results are definitely worth all the time that this bag took to make. I have never seen a bag pattern anywhere close to this one. It’s pretty amazing. The lid attaches with a larger sport zipper, and there is a hinge on the back of the bag, which is a very pretty detail.
There are padded dividers on the inside of the bag, too…in my photo you can see two of them, but there are actually four in total. They are temporarily adhered with the help of velcro, and you can move them around based on your camera equipment (flash, battery, etc.).
I am so pleased at the final result of this bag. I’ve seen my mom using it several times, too, which makes me very happy. The bag took me an entire day to make (which, in hindsight, making it the day before Christmas was not the best idea as the timing made me a bit frantic to say the least!), and like I mentioned earlier, it is definitely an advanced level sewing pattern, but if you’re up to the task, you will be very pleased with your finished bag!!
Wow Sara what a great camera bag! If YOU had a bit of trouble making the lid well then it might be really hard for the rest of us, lol!!! You chose a beautiful fabric for the outside too.
Very beautiful! It makes me wish I had a DSLR camera, rather than my compact camera, just so I can make the bag! LOL What a wonderful gift to give!
Beautiful Bag Sara! I am so glad that I am not the only one who had to make a couple of lids!! haha!
Love your version of this bag and I’m so glad you reviewed it. I have had this pattern for a while and just haven’t gotten around to trying it. It’s now going to move to the short list. Thanks for the details and tips!
What a pretty bag! I have had this pattern for awhile but have been slightly intimidated to begin.After seeing your beautiful bag for your mother, I will put it back on my list to make. Thank you for sharing your creation.
Such a great fabric choice for this bag. Lovely
It’s gorgeous Sara! My brother does photography, I should find some masculine fabric and make him one… Hmm the hamster is running and the wheels are turning now 😉
It looks FANTASTIC Sara!
That is fab! Have been after a new bacg for my camera and fed up of commerical ones in brown or black! Love this…. here’s hoping she posts to the UK!
Thanks for your review, Sara! It was so helpful and informative. The fact that you switched out the Peltex for the Soft and Stable was really interesting to me. I’ve made a Sew Serendipity bag that took the Peltex–now I’m wanting to try it with the Soft and Stable and see what happens.
Your bag is beautifully crafted and constructed. I just had to think when you said that the bag took you a whole day to make– “Poor thing!” :P–it would have taken me a lot longer than that!!! I’m glad it worked out for you, even though it was at the last minute.
Please, do more of these reviews! Your perspective is so valuable as a bag pattern designer and a sewist. You can really help “translate” some of these things for the rest of us. 🙂
I love your bag! and your review is quite helpful. I love Sew Serendipity patterns. The dress and skirt patterns are as great as the bag patterns are. Now to look around on your site! I’m dreaming up a bag for my laptop and desperately need some inspiration. 🙂
That’s an amazing pattern and gorgeous fabric.
This bag is amazing and one I want to try. I like the idea of the Soft and Stable and will use that when I get around to this bag. What a wonderful present for your mom.
Terrific work! I’m off to get that pattern now!
It is a beautry, of coursethat is no surprise. I am not at that skill level…butat some point I sure would like to make one for my sister.
It’s awesome Sara!
I love how this turned out! I should totally have looked for a pattern, the one I made for my dad looks, and seems just fine, but he swears the dust will get in, so keeps thinking up ‘fixes’ for me to do. Err, no. ;o)
Love the bag! My daughter is loving photography and has a new (used) dslr camera and flash. Think she could use this. Thanks for all the tips!
Do you find yourself in need of a second Mother at all?
The main reason that I started with your structured bag is that I want to make a custom camera bag for myself. For that reason, I’m really happy to read about your experience with this pattern. I hadn’t heard of it before. I think I need a bit more practice still, but thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful bag! I love a challenge, so I think I will be looking for this pattern. 🙂 Have a great day!
Beautiful bag and wonderful gift!