Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Art Student Tote

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Meredith of Olivia Jane Handcrafted.

Hi there! I’m Meredith and I blog over at Olivia Jane Handcrafted. I’ve been sewing for about six years, and making bags is one of my very favorite things! I’m reviewing one of my favorite patterns for you- the Art Student Tote by Anna Maria Horner.

This bag comes in three sizes: a large size, the large size with an extension panel, and a smaller tote size. I have made all three, and today I’m showing you a sort of hybrid I’ve made. I wanted to make the smaller bag, but with boxed corners on the bottom to create some depth, so I simply used the small pattern piece and lengthened it to be the same as the larger ones.

This pattern does come with templates for every piece you will need except for the straps, and those measurements are given and easily cut with a ruler and rotary cutter. The instructions are clear and come with plenty of illustrations. All versions require two zippers (with easy insertion), and the large versions require D rings. If you are making the version with extension panel, you’ll need an additional zipper.

I love this pattern because it oozes practicality which is a must when I am making or purchasing any bag. It’s also modern and simple in design, which makes choosing fabrics easy. I went with a completely different look than what is typical for me, and chose a striped vintage pillowcase as my main fabric. The straps and interior are a chambray dot from Robert Kaufman. I feel like the bag has a laid back western look, and I like it!

The Art Student Tote features two exterior pockets on all versions. The larger versions have pull tabs to cinch in or let out the sides of the bag. The interior is quite customizable. For this particular bag, I have divided each pocket wall into two large pockets, for a total of four pockets.  You could stitch as many dividing sections as needed to accommodate whatever you will be carrying.

You can see in some other versions I have made, I have inserted a zippered pocket or some combination of pockets.

This bag is simple to make, and has such clean and crisp lines. I have made so many, and I will surely make more! I highly recommend this bag to any person comfortable with sewing through a few layers! Its about as easy as that!

Thank you so much to Sara for having me on to review one of my very favorite bag patterns!