Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Chris W. Designs Bella Bag

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. To see full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Norma of Norma’s Bag Boutique.

Hi everyone! I’m Norma from Norma’s Bag Boutique. I have a blog and an Etsy Store where I sell the bags I sew. I’ve been sewing for around 40 years, although I had some off times. Now I sew purses. To date I’ve sewn more than 200 bags (counting wallets and backpacks too) from different bag pattern designers. Yes, I’m quite a bag making addict and I admit it. I’m very honored and happy of being a part of Purse Palooza 2015! This is the Event all of us Bag Makers wait for eagerly every year. Thanks Sara for making it happen and inviting me to be a guest blogger.

Bag Pattern Selection

I love how there are so many bag designers writing pdf patterns. For today’s review I picked a Chris W Design pattern: The New Bella or The Bella II. I’m a tester for Christine but I can assure you this is an honest and objective review. At the beginning of September Christine released this new version of her popular Bella Bag Pattern. See her release blog post and testers versions here.  I’ve used many of her patterns (13 of them wow!) and I just love them. She comes up with beautiful and practical designs. Her bags have details that make them look very professional. With her patterns you can always count on some very thorough and detailed instructions with many pictures and new tips. If you love many pockets on your bags this one is for you. Although I should say that most of Christine’s patterns have plenty of pockets. J  Plus the Bella II has a very cute shape. Here’s Christine’s version:

The Bag Features

The Bella II has some changes from the Original Bella. Other than been completely redrafted there are some feature changes. The front pocket has been replaced with a whole front slip pocket design featuring 4 pockets (two big pockets each divided in two). And they have a nice detail of grommets on top that you can decorate with some ribbon. The old Bella’s side pockets have been omitted. The New Bella has a recessed zipper closure for the main compartment to keep everything secured while the old one had a tab with a snap closure. They both have a back exterior zippered pocket. I like when bags have a combination of slip and zippered pockets on the exterior! In the interior there are many pockets to keep you organized: one zippered pocket with a slip pocket behind it (so clever) plus a big slip pocket divided in three sections one of which is a pen compartment.  This bag measures 12-1/4” wide, 10” high and 4” gussets (front to back), so it’s pretty roomy.

The Bella II is a very versatile pattern. “It‘s really up to you how much of the hardware you decide to use” as Christine says. The beauty of using this pattern is that you decide if you want to go for all the options of hardware or use only what you are comfortable with.

My version

I used some blue jean fabric as my main fabric, some Premier Prints blue and white canvas print on the front pocket and a solid navy blue quilting cotton for my lining and second front pocket. I chose to keep it monochromatic as I usually do with my bags. As you can see I omitted the grommets altogether and instead added a couple of rivets to the top of the front pocket. I also changed the way to attach the straps. I used 1-1/2” rectangles instead of the grommets and swivel hooks. In order to achieve this I added ¾” height to the main body pattern pieces (where the rectangles will be) to provide for the fabric folding over the rectangle. It was a matter of using what I had on hand. If you look at Christine’s bag you can see that the straps have a nice contrast fabric in the center lengthwise. The instructions for this feature are included and is a very nice detail. I omitted it because I didn’t have enough canvas print fabric to do it. I did have some bag feet that look awesome on this bag and is an option Christine gives in the instructions. I used a metal label bling from Emmaline bags that says: “Handcrafted, Made in the USA”. It just makes the bag look very chic and professional. You can get yours here.

The interfacings recommended are fusible interfacing Pellon SF101, fusible fleece Pellon TP971F Fusible Thermolam Plus and Pellon 71F Peltex single side fusible. I used the recommended ones except that my Peltex wasn’t fusible so I sandwiched it with some Pellon SF101. The bag ends up being a very sturdy and structured bag, especially since I used a jean fabric and canvas fabric. But if my sewing machine can take it, why not? By the way, I have a Juki TL2000Qi and I love it. Using the right needle for your work is very important. I used a new size 90 / 14 needle.

The Pattern

As each and every Chris W Design pattern you get very detailed instructions with plenty of pictures to visualize. Christine gives you some fabric suggestions at the beginning and then proceeds with a list of materials you’ll need, including the ones that are optional. You can find the materials and notions list here, where you can also buy your copy.  With your instructions you’ll also find a list of all the bag pattern pieces. For some pieces you have to print the pattern piece and for others you can either print or cut by measurement with a ruler. If you choose to cut by measurement some labels are provided so you can pinch them as you cut and don’t get your pattern pieces mixed up. I find this very convenient as I don’t like to waste too much paper and using the rulers is accurate enough. I recommend you read the whole instructions (for any bag pattern) before starting to cut so you can get familiarized with the pattern and make any adjustments if necessary (like when making modifications). The way I use all pdf patterns is: I print the pattern pieces (and labels if provided) from my desktop computer and then have the instructions on my e-Tablet so I can have them with me by my sewing area. The instructions for the Bella II are divided in sections to keep you organized and they flow very nicely. Then there are pictures, pictures and more pictures. So convenient! There are many tips that help you be a very neat bag maker. You can also reach Christine by email with any question. The truth is I consider Christine one of my teacher’s after making so many of her bags. She always keeps me interested and I learn new ways to improve my skills. How else am I going to improve except by trying new things? That’s the way I see it!

I really like the way this pattern instructions are written. You should have some previous experience sewing bags before trying this one (classified as an Intermediate pattern). This one is not for beginners. When sewing this bag you’ll make two different zippered pockets, a recessed zipper closure, attach a curvy gusset with sturdy interfacing, install some grommets and install some bag feet.  If you feel you want to give this pattern a try you can get your copy at Chris W Designs here.

Again I want to thank Sara for inviting me to be part of this year’s Purse Palooza. I hope you have a blast reading and learning from different bag patterns. But mainly go ahead and sew some bags, be adventurous and learn something new!

Happy Sewing,

Norma