Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Swoon Bonnie Bucket Bag

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Cyndi of The Nosy Pepper.

Hello Purse Palooza 2015 fans! I’m Cyndi and I’m so excited to be a part of the fun of this event this year! I was honored when Sara asked me if I’d like to participate, but my sewing time these days is limited these days since adding a new member to our family. Keeping that in mind, I knew I would need a pattern that wouldn’t be a lengthy sew, but it also had to be one that would still offer features that I liked and would use. Enter the Bonnie Bucket Bag by Swoon Patterns.

I’d had my eye on this bag for a while, and I liked that there are so many ways to change the look of her.  I loved the size of it ( I do love me some big bags), at 14″ wide by 12″ tall, it is a generously sized bag and you can stuff a deceptive amount of “necessities” in her. She boasts a front welt pocket (which you can add a zip if you like) and a zip closure.

The pattern is very well written and comes together quickly (the longest part was picking out the fabrics…no joke) this was my first time making a welt pocket and the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. There are illustrations throughout the pattern if you are a visual learner like me. I cut the pieces one evening after bedtime, and sewed her up in another, so it’s a very satisfying project for a weekend or even an afternoon of sewing.

The pattern calls for using a woven interfacing (shapeflex 101) that gives the bag a casual and relaxed look but as I am a fan of more structured bags I opted to add a foam stabilizer instead (By Annie’s Soft and Stable). I love the final result, but it is quite structured. Depending on your preference I think a variety of different interfacings would work well with this bag.