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Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Swoon Charlotte

 

charlottecitytote-1This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Pamela of sovanisa.

Purse Palooza 2015 at Sew Sweetness

The Pattern

I bought this pattern for $5.95 online (which is for the printed out 16 page digital pattern.  You can also get a printed paper version as well, but it costs more.) from Swoon Patterns.   This pattern includes computer drawings for each step and was very easy to follow and well written.

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Materials Needed

This is the list of materials needed according to the pattern, which I found to be very accurate:

• 1/3 yard exterior fabric, 44” wide quilting weight
• 1/3 yard vinyl fabric, at least 44” wide (any heavy non-fraying fabric)
• 2/3 yard lining fabric, 44” wide quilting weight
• 3 yards 20” woven fusible interfacing (such as Pellon Shapeflex SF101, which is what I used)
• 1/4 yard 20” stiff fusible stabilizer (such as Pellon Peltex 71F, I used something else – which I don’t know the name of!  I need to find out what it is!  But it was also a stiff fusible stabilizer :))
• 2 yards 5/32” piping cord (or pre-made piping, which I used)
• One 7” all-purpose zipper
• One 1/2” swivel clip & One 1/2” D-ring or O-ring
• Four 3/4” rectangle loops or O-rings
• One magnetic snap

 

Fabrics Used

The exterior bag fabric is Alison Glass Ex-Libris.  I have been eyeing this very popular fabric for a while and had to have it.  When I decided to make this bag, it just seemed like that was the PERFECT fabric for the bag!

The lining fabric is Moda Marbles by Moda Fabrics.   I have used other colors of the Marbles line from Moda before as a lining fabric and really like it as an alternative to using a solid fabric.

The turquoise vinyl is from Joanns…. which I can not believe I got as a remnant!  Talk about a steal! :)

 

 

Tote Features

The cute tote is a mid-size tote which is 10.5″ wide x 11″ tall x 6″ deep and can be worn in two different ways:

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or

 

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And when opened up is a really roomy mid sized tote:

 

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The tote features vinyl handles/straps and piping accents

 

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and a zippered pocket

 

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a magnetic closure snap top

 

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and small strap connecting the two sides

 

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Sewing with Vinyl:

The vinyl overlays give the bag a professional look which i I really like.

This was the first time that I worked with vinyl.  I have used a faux suede and also a faux leather, but they were a little different to sew with.    I have a walking foot for my machine and that made it easy to sew though.  I did get lazy (or maybe just comfortable because until that point it was so easy) when sewing one seam halfway through and  the stitches were not that good.  I put the walking foot immediately back on and once again it was easy to sew the vinyl.  Luckily those stitches are on the bottom of the bag!  And while I did share my frustration on instagram; no, I am not going to show them to you here!

Changes I made

I really followed the pattern exactly, with one minor exception.    In the pattern there is a zippered pocket on one side and I decided that I wanted at least one slip pocket on the other side so that I could at least put my iphone in easily.  So I added two slip pockets – one smaller and one larger:

 

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I also decided to add rivet accents to some of the vinyl pieces, which meant that I sewed them slightly differently than in the pattern.  I couldn’t decide what was the best way to attach the straps to the bag and use rivets.  I think that if I did it again, I would add the rivet and then sew the straps to the bag below the rivets.

Sewing with rivets was a totally new experience for me and I have to say, I loved using the rivets in the vinyl!  I am hooked!

Final Verdict:

I would definitely recommend the Charlotte City Tote pattern and I am already planning to make another one.   The price of $5.95 is also very reasonable and it is a very cute and stylish tote!  I am absolutely certain that I will make another one of these totes!  It is really a GREAT pattern!

 

 

7 thoughts on “Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Swoon Charlotte

  1. Lori M says:

    Like the size of this Charlotte City tote bag..very roomy inside….the fabric choices were very lovely…

  2. Maria says:

    Love the fabric choices for your Charlotte City Tote ! Thanks for the great review Pamela 🙂

  3. MariaP says:

    Looks great! I didn’t see any pictures on this page, but I found the photos on your website. I love the fun colors on this tote!

    1. Sovanisa says:

      Thanks! U love love love this bag!
      I am not sure why the pictures aren’t show up here! I just sent Sara an email 🙂

  4. Norma says:

    What a professional looking Tote bag! You did a great job selecting the materials and making the bag. Great review too.

    1. Sovanisa says:

      oh thank you!
      The alison glass fabric is truly beautiful. I couldn’t wait to find the perfect project for it!

  5. Allison CB says:

    Lovely bag!!! Very pro!

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