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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Oliver + S Messenger Bag

  This post is part of Purse Palooza 2013.
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!

Joanna from Tutinella is today’s guest blogger. Joanna is a brilliant quilter and bagmaker. There are 3 bloggers with Polish/English blogs whom I admire immensely (and perhaps am a small bit jealous of), and Joanna is one of them. Check out her blog!

Oh I’m so excited to be a part of Purse Palooza 2013! Ladies and Gentlemen, thanks to lovely Sara of Sew Sweetness I have the pleasure of presenting today my version of Oliver+S messenger bag made for Antonina!

This messenger bag is the second project I finished from ‘Little Things to Sew‘ book. Its instructions mention two sizes, and I opted for the bigger version. I did change one thing only – the width of the strap. The reason was very simple – I just could not get a slider wide enough… What I do not entirely like in this pattern is the fact that the author did not include magnetic snaps or zippers in it. Let’s be honest – the bag is designed mainly for kids, and I believe it’s vital to have some kind of closure in any bag, especially the one for kids. But, despite that, I did not add any snaps. I don’t know how about you guys, but each time I try a new pattern, I stick to its instructions. The experimenting part begins with the second version of any project, not sooner! My second version of this bag will also have a longer flap.
The front of the bag is interfaced with hair canvas (fusible). Don’t use it on any other part of the bag, as its parts will become difficult to sew together. You will break many needles (fortunately I wear glasses when sewing…), not to mention hurt fingers and difficulties with sewing bias binding. I learnt my lesson when making Amy Butler’s weekender bag a few months ago… Pay close attention to fusing part, start in the middle, to avoid air bubbles to form on the focus fabric. I used fusible interfacing (fliseline) on all the other focus fabric parts. I did not interface lining though. I also decided to sew-in ugly fleece inside, to add some structure to the bag, and I am very happy with the effect!
I also used store-bought bias binding, as I had tons of it at home, and decided to use it, and take a short-cut here. I think I used 4 to 5 yards in total on this bag. The last part of bias binding, is hand-sewn, and I do believe it makes a difference – it surely takes some extra time, but it is worth it.
I do believe that instructions in the book are very clear and everyone, from experienced beginner, will have no issues with making this project. There are no pictures in the book (apart from the finished product), but the illustrations are enough, you don’t need more to understand how to finish the bag. I did stop at one point and had to read one paragraph a few times, but I do believe it could be just because I am not a native speaker and the book is in English 😀 I would highly recommend home decor or canvas fabrics for this project, as quilting cotton might be too soft, even when fused with fusible interfacing.
I really like this bag, and I hope my 6 year old niece will like it as much as her aunt 🙂 I also took some pictures when making the bag, you can check them below:

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10 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Oliver + S Messenger Bag

  1. Great bag! Thanks for the review!!

  2. What fun fabric! Great review!!

  3. Tutinella says:

    Thank you girls! It was great fun to make the bag, I really recommend this pattern, the book is amazing, and worth every $ I spent on it.

  4. Danih03 says:

    You’re Niece will love it! I would bet it will become her new school bag!

  5. Jake says:

    Very cute bag! Thank you for joining this purse palooza and sharing with us all. I think your niece will love the bag….the fabric is very happy!

  6. Beth says:

    What a cute bag. It will be loved and carried around for a long time.

  7. Katherine says:

    Great review! I discovered some similar things when using this pattern. I love this pattern! I’ve made 3 child sized messenger bags and 1 adult sized from this pattern. I’ve made 3 of them using fine wale cord and one from denim. I used med. wt. fusible interfacing on 3 and the fourth bag I tried fusible fleece.
    Here’s a link to the most recent version, where I used fusible fleece and added a magnetic snap:
    http://sewmesomethinggood.blogspot.ca/2013/08/puppy-love-messenger-bag.html

  8. Vera says:

    Pretty! I like those two pockets. It seems like very practical kind of bag.

  9. Laura says:

    That is a VERY cute bag and I love your fabric choices 🙂

  10. Jaye says:

    Joanna,
    Great job and lovely to see you pop up in Purse Palooza 2013! I also *try* and make the bag the way the directions indicate the first time through, but sometimes, I just have to adjust or add or change. I can’t help myself. As a public transit commuter all of my bags must have closures. Any openings invite loos on a crowded platform.

    Jaye

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