This post is part of Purse Palooza 2013.
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!
Lana from Moments of Sanity in a Crazy World is half of today’s guest blogging team. Lana makes a variety of sewn projects, and she first caught my eye when she made my Dot Dot Dash Bag. Check out her review today!
Hi Everyone! I’m Lana and I blog over at www.mommypixels.wordpress.com. I’ve done a little of everything over there, but am starting to focus more on sewing & quilting as those are a couple of my passions, even if I don’t get to do them as often as I’d like. I try to keep things a bit light-hearted as everyone needs a little fun in their life given there’s enough insanity in this world!
When I was asked by Sara to participate in Purse Palooza, I was so excited! Bags–I LOVE bags!! Oh happy dance!!
I chose to make the Two Zip Hipster by Erin from Dog Under My Desk using Tula Pink’s The Birds and the Bees fabric. I need a cross-over bag for when I don’t want to carry my “mom” bag. (Ya’ll know what those are, right?! THE bag that carries more of everyone else’s stuff than your own, but if need be, you could feed the planet & entertain the masses all while searching for one thin dime in the bottom. Yeah, THAT bag.) I decided when I go out with my friends, I don’t need everyone else’s stuff, so I need a smaller, lighter bag with some spunk.
I have to say I LOVE it! The pattern is not many pieces, so cutting doesn’t take long. I’m one of those people that just wants to get to the nitty gritty of sewing, not the sometimes mundane exercise of cutting, but maybe that’s just me. I got the pattern via PDF, which has it’s ups and downs. The pattern itself is 32 pages long if you print it all out, which I didn’t. My printer seems to have a drinking problem with ink without needing encouragement, so I just printed out the pattern pieces and kept my computer close to read the instructions.
The supplies you need to make the bag are: 1 yard of main fabric, 2/3 yard lining fabric, 20″ fusible interfacing (2 1/2 yards) Pellon SF-101, 20″ (1 yd) sew-in interfacing (this is where I used Annie’s Soft & Stable) the pattern suggests using HTC Form Flex, Pellon 40 or 50, canvas or very thin batting. And for hardware: 1.5” rectangle + 1.5” slider 14” or longer nylon zipper 9” or longer nylon zipper. Then, all the usual suspects: thread, rotary cutter, mat, size 80 or 90 “microtex” or “sharp” needle. I found most of the supplies just digging through my sewing supplies.
The instructions are very well written. And, the photos are so incredibly helpful. I love looking at photos and not always having to read everything on the page (oh, did I just admit that?!) There are a few tricky parts where I believe Erin has your zipper doing the Twist. Now, I didn’t know zippers could do those dance moves, but it works out really well. So, yes, I learned some new techniques, but because of the photos, they were pretty painless.
Now, let’s talk about the worst part of the bag for me…was it the zippers? No. The bulkiness? No. The instructions? Nope again. It was this tiny little tab that’s placed on the zipper. This…
That little bugger brought me to my knees!! It’s always the innocent looking features that cause the most problems! I think it’s just the angle you have to wrangle the bag into a fully submissive posture, then try to sew a perfect square (yeah, right!) that just would not work for me. I’m not sure what I would do differently next time, but maybe try putting it on a little sooner? Not sure.
I did do things up a little different than the pattern suggested. Rebel, I know, I know. I’m persnickety about pockets. I NEED a zippered pocket in the inside of the bag. I have a certain way of loading my purse and that’s the only way I can find things, so I put in a zippered pocket. So, where the pattern would have an open pocket on the back interior side, I have a zippered pocket. I did do the open pocket and put it on the front interior side. Hope that makes sense. You can kind of see it in the photo.
The other change I made was that I didn’t follow the pattern on what sew-in interfacing to use. I used Annie’s Soft & Stable. I’ve used it on other bags and love how it holds up the bag. I did use the SF-101 for the iron-on stabilizer. And, I added a zip pull.
Isn’t it cute?!! I purchased it from http://www.etsy.com/shop/
I do believe an Advanced Beginner or just a determined sewist could do this bag. Erin does an excellent job of walking through how to sew the zippers and which way to put directional fabric (oh, thank-you, that meant I didn’t have to think as hard!!) Of course, when sewing it all together you need to watch those speed limits on the gas pedal and a walking foot would be helpful. No lead feet or you will NOT have a happy machine! I did need to give my machine encouraging words once in a while to get through the layers, but it may have been that the sew-in stabilizer I chose was much thicker than the suggested on in the pattern.
One change I will probably make when I make it again is to add a pocket on the outside back of the bag. It’s just a personal preference or perhaps I’m a pocketaholic! Here’s a picture of the back as directed by the pattern.
I would definitely make this bag again. I’ve gotten many compliments from people who say it looks like a professional made it.
You can find the pattern here: http://erinerickson.com/store/
I applaud your honesty about the zipper tab! They can be a bugger! Your fabric choices are great and the bag came out fabulous!
Thanks for sharing!
I debated a bit about putting my ‘less than stellar’ experience (understatement of the year!!) with the zip tab on the review, but I’m really glad I did as it seems many people struggle with that same issue. I can’t tell you how surprised I am, but so glad to know I’m in good company! 🙂
Beautiful bag! I’ve made this one too, and I agree about the inside zipper…it’s a definite “must have” for me as well! Great review of this pattern too.
Thanks! Yes, I’m a little obsessive about that zip pocket on the inside. I would never find my lip gloss otherwise!
I made exactly the same modifications as you! 😛 Except for the zip pull, I might have to get me some of them!!
Great minds think alike on the modifications!! The zip pulls are kind of fun. They snazz (is that a word?!) it up a bit. Just a tip: If you e-mail Zip It with certain requests (like, “if you could match the zip pull to this zipper color” or “I really would like bright colors in the zip pulls”), they are great about accommodating the requests.
Beautiful bag! Your fabric choices are perfect! Ok, I’m gonna have to check out that which way to put directional fabric….I struggle with that. HA! I hear ya…those zipper tabs….UGH! I don’t want to get started on that subject. LOL!
Thanks! Erin does a great job of side notes telling you which way to put the fabric–very helpful when you’re sewing WAY too late at night!! Zip tabs–I’m still traumatized!! 🙂
I love this bag! It was my first bag I ever made and I think a beginner can really handle this. Like Sara, Erin has great instructions and lots of photos! Anyone who wants to try this should! It took me 8 hours to make this bag my first time, but again, it was my first bag ever so I would really urge even a beginner to try this! It’s an awesome bag!
I’m so glad to know you had a good experience with it also. The only reason I put Advanced Beginner is because I know some people have serious issues w/ zippers. But, I totally agree with you, a beginner can probably handle it. 🙂
Wow! I didn’t know I was in good company with problems on the zipper tabs. I seriously thought it was just me!! Can we form a support group?!! Ok, maybe we need a tutorial? (I won’t be doing that one as I pretty much failed!) Thanks for all the upbeat comments. You are all so kind! 🙂
I solve the zipper tab problem by 1) I fold the zipper under on the edges making it thinner (stolen from another bag I saw in a store) and B), I stipple stitch the tab on! It adds a neat flair
Your bag looks fabulous – and Iove her patterns. Although I own this one, I have yet to try it. But, you are so right that she makes it easy to look at the photos and go! Thanks for the encouragement to just do it.
It really is easy. I think once you get going you’ll be glad you did and surprised at how easy it really is (ok, except that zip tab!!) LOL!! Put a little bling on the tab and it’ll be just fine!! 🙂
(Raising hand) I had trouble with that zipper pull too! I also added an internal zipper pocket. I definitely recommend dividing the internal open pocket as Erin recommends. I didn’t think I needed to do that, but I find it gapes open and I end up slipping things into the pocket and not into the main part of the bag. Very frustrating. Someday I am going to fix that! I love this pattern and will definitely make more of these bags.
I’m so surprised that it’s not just me on that zip pull!! It’s almost comical. Yes, I agree with you on dividing that internal open pocket so it doesn’t gape open. I measured it to fit my phone, then (not 2 wks later) am getting a new phone that’s a smidge bigger. LOL!! Oh well!!
Your bag is gorgeous!! I have that fabric in the pink color way. I might just need to make that pattern with it. And the zipper pull is the perfect touch. Great job’
Thanks! It’s really easy to fussy cut that fabric as the measurements on this bag fit well with the fabric motifs. Thanks so much for your compliments!! 🙂
I have made this bag and I have to say the instructions are superb! I think Erin should join Amy Butler’s pattern writing team ;-). I will agree that the bag needs a back pocket. Love the colour of your bag, good job!
Thanks so much! I agree, the instructions are superb! And, I thing joining AB’s pattern writing team would be a great idea!! 🙂 LOL!
The bag turned out great.m Love that you added a zip pocket inside, those are important! And I like an open pocket fro my cell phone.
Thanks! I’m persnickety with my bags!! Just don’t do what I did and measure the pocket to your cell phone, then proceed to get a new, bigger phone!! 🙂