This post is part of Purse Palooza 2013.
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!
Ali from a2(w) has a new book coming out on February 1st called Quilt Lab – The Creative Side of Science: 12 Clever Projects. I can’t wait for this book to come out, as it looks to be totally unique designs we have not seen anywhere before!
Hi! I’m Ali from a²(w) – that’s a.squared.w. I dabble in all sorts of sewing – clothes, bags, and quilts. I even have a book on quilting coming out in February – YAY! I’m super excited to be participating in Purse-palooza again this year with one of my all-time favorite bags, the Melly and Me Sleepover Bag. I first made it years ago and have since made quite a few of them.
What fabric/supplies were needed to make the bag?
The directions are broken up by what print the designers used, which I think is a bit confusing since there are 5 to keep track of!
I ended up using 1 1/4 yards of solid for the lining (same for the exterior if you don’t do patchwork), FQs of Koi, plus batting, zipper, and 1.5″ metal rings. I love that you can really make this bag with what you have on hand (if you’re a hoarder at least!) and that it doesn’t require lots of special tools. That being said, the pattern does include directions for adding feet and magnetic snap pockets to the bag.
What did you think of the illustrations and instructions?
I said this the first time that I made the bag – the illustrations are lacking. I know that we’re all spoiled with photo tutorials, but this pattern is a lot of text! I zoomed out so that you can’t read the pattern, but you can see that there aren’t a lot of pictures. All of the information is there, you just have to be meticulous about reading each step carefully. I think a few pictures would make the pattern exponentially better.
Did you make any modifications to the pattern?
– My biggest peeve with this pattern is the seam allowances. 1/4″ seam allowances for a bag are just too small! I always make it with at least 3/8″ and go up to 1/2″ for the step where you sew everything together. I don’t cut my pieces larger though, I just deal with a bag that is slightly smaller.
– I put the pockets on the first couple times that I made it, but did not use bias tape. This time I thought that they would be too busy – and realistically they are too small to hold much – so I just left them off.
– I used webbing for the handles because I like it and was feeling lazy. I didn’t top stitch them on, I just sewed them in with the seam between the top and bottom, I do think there is a step missing about the handles and interfacing though, if you do decide to make them out of fabric.
– I didn’t put the template plastic in the bag bottom this time and think it was a mistake. The bag just doesn’t keep it’s shape as well as I would like. Luckily it’s easy to add at the end since the bottom is the last seam! When I have made it previously I’ve just used Peltex since I usually have some of that around, so I just cut the piece at the end and tacked it in. Easy!
What Difficulty Level did you think this pattern was at?
Because of the lack of photos and seam allowances I’m putting this patten at intermediate. You have to have experience with bags and have a good grasp of how they should come together without images to guide you.
I love this pattern and think that it’s cute and clever. I definitely learned a lot about making bags when I first made it and despite the lack of photos I keep coming back to it!
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Looks like a nice roomy bag. Might fit all my stuff in that one.
Waouw, that’ sompe bag. Lovely, nice and useful.
Great review! I like lots of illustrations too. Your bag turned out really cute!
Can’t wait to see the book! Thanks for the review!
Thanks for your great review. I have the pattern,cut out the fabric and then put it away! I will make it my project for this week! Courage needed, lol.