Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Blue Calla Tansy Tote

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Reece of Happy Okapi.

Hi! I’m Reece from Happy Okapi and I’m so excited to have been invited to participate in Purse Palooza this year.

Right away when Sara asked, I started thinking about what I would make. I was anxiously awaiting this new line from Camelot Fabrics, Elixir, and knew I wanted to use that. As for the pattern, I wanted to choose a newer pattern from a designer I was already familiar with, but also wanted a challenge. Enter: the Tansy Zippered Tote by Blue Calla! The pattern listing describes needing intermediate/advanced sewing skills, and the bag uses rivets, which I’m not experienced in using, so I thought this met my challenge quite nicely.

About the pattern
 PDF
 Pattern pieces plus dimensions to cut
 Step by step instructions and loads of color pictures
About the bag
 Adjustable strap
 2 exterior zippered pockets
 interior zippered pocket
 interior divided slip pockets
 unique design feature (rivets/strap on side of bag)
 zippered top
 large purse sized (approximately 15” wide and 10” tall)
 use of vinyl

The Tansy takes a TON of supplies, including hardware! Don’t let that intimidate you though, the finished product is so worth it! I think the right hardware really gives a bag a professional look. The pattern doesn’t specify which type of material to use for the main bodyof the bag. I used quilting cotton and I love the finished body of the bag. I’m sure you could adjust the weights of exterior and interfacing to come up with something to suit your preference, although quilting cotton is perfect if you ask me.

The only change I made for my bag was that I used Pellon Shapeflex on all pieces (except vinyl) and I used fusible fleece in place of the “sew-in interfacing” called for in the pattern. There is a note in the pattern about choosing interfacing, and since this is for an intermediate sewist, you probably already have an idea of what kind of interfacing combination suits your preferences.

I really love the front zippered pockets on this bag. I don’t know about you, but I always need lots of pockets, and I like having a few on the outside of my bag for quick access items.

Making the bag:
The pattern starts out with a clear layout, listing all the materials, notions and tools we need and introduces terms used throughout the pattern. There is also a link to a tutorial to learn about rivets. The cutting list is sorted by bag components. For a cutting guide, I prefer tables sorted by material type, and usually end up making my own chart when I cut materials for a bag, but I think this just comes down to personal preference.

Assembling the front panel, with the zippers and zipper tabs, is the most time consuming part of this bag. After that, the rest was pretty smooth sailing!

I used 2 different rivet sizes for mine. I dug through my husband’s tool chest and found this thing, which I had to google to discover is called a revolving punch plier *insert giggles here* What a formal sounding name, ha! I also discovered that this is a pretty affordable tool, so if you plan on adding rivets to a bag, you may want to think about picking one up (and now you know what it’s called).

Honestly, the rivets terrified me a bit, because I had to install them pretty late in the bag making process, and I was so scared that I’d mess up and have to start my bag over. I just followed the instructions though, and it all worked out.

I’ll admit another fear I had while making this bag: topstitching vinyl. I’ve heard stories about it perforating later because the stitch length was too short, you can’t press it without melting it, and also it isn’t forgiving like wovens can be. So, I made sure to use longer stitch lengths, lots of wonder clips, and I used my Teflon foot (which sounds expensive, but I got off Amazon for $3 including shipping). I practiced on some scraps and went for it!

The construction of the bag is really quite clever! I love how it all comes together! Just like the other Blue Calla bags I’ve made, this one has clear, logical instructions, accompanied by a generous dose of pictured steps. If you’d like to try out a Blue Calla pattern for free, check out this post for the Gerbera Wristlet pattern. I do agree with the listing description that this is an intermediate/advanced pattern; you can’t be shy about zippers for this bag! If you’re looking for a unique larger tote and up for a bit of a challenge or you really like rivets, the Tansy Zippered Tote is for you! I really enjoyed making this bag, even though some steps had me a bit nervous. The end result is very satisfying, and so rewarding, because the bag is functional and beautiful!

Supplies
 All the beautiful antique brass hardware, including the “handmade” metal bag label and rivets are from Emmaline Bags
 The cotton fabric I used, Elixir by Camelot Fabrics, is from Stay Home Fabrics