OMGosh, it's done! I'm excited to have this pattern ready for you to make a messenger bag with a cinch buckle closure.
Of course, this pattern is the special this week. You should definitely order it now, because the regular price is going to be $10.
The bag has two inset pockets--one on the front under the flap, and another inside on the back wall of the lining. You can repeat the pockets on the exterior back, lining front, or both. You'll need more fabric, but it will be easy to do.
The interior bottom is quilted with some extra fabric and fleece to give it more structure.
This is what I would consider a medium sized bag. Yes, it will hold an ipad in a case/pouch. People often ask whether they fit. :0]
This is a great pattern for heavier fabrics. Once I've recovered a bit from literally LIVING this pattern for the last two weeks, I'd like to make it from upholstery fabric or canvas. The instructions are written for home dec fabrics (think Alexander Henry weight home dec). So far I've made it from home dec fabric (twice), medium weight linen, and chambray. The chambray was about the same weight and drape as quilting cotton, and it turned out very nice.
If you use heavier fabric you can skip some, or all, of the interfacing. You might also need to make the strap as two pieces sewn together and turned right side out. The pattern folds the strap in fourths, but that method is too thick for heavier fabrics.
You can also use heavier fleece on the inside. I used Pellon 987F, but you can use a more dense fleece (sorry, I don't know the brands/numbers for any heavier ones).
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What's New
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Cutting Diagrams
For the first time I included cutting diagrams. Usually with the small things it doesn't seem necessary. But this one it really takes almost the entire yard of exterior fabric, so I thought a layout was in order.
Plus, someone recently thanked me for including a photo of the cut out pieces in another pattern--she thought that was helpful. The pieces for this one are too big, and numerous, to get a good photo of them all together, so the cutting diagrams double as a visual indicator of which pieces to cut.
So the cutting layouts show one possible way to cut the pieces. The layouts are as close to scale as I could get them. There are other ways to lay the pieces out. The exterior fabric is the main one to pay attention to. The others are included mostly for the sake of consistency, and for the visual folks--it is probably easier to just see what pieces you need to cut out.
Other Stuff
Step numbers now come before any text instructions on photos and diagrams. I used to put these at the end of the text, but it probably makes more sense to have them up front.
Usually I use the lining fabric on the underside of flaps, but this time I used the exterior fabric. I like it. What I didn't realize it was going to require some extra explanation regarding which side is the right side and which is the wrong side. This will be easy to figure out and I included some tips to remind you to check. Use the lining fabric on the underside of your flap if you prefer. It works either way!
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More Info
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The seam allowance is 3/8", but you can use 5/16" (edge of presser foot). You can also use a 1/4", but that feels so small to me for this bag. The seams on the front can get thick and the skinny 1/4" allowance is hard to press to one side and topstitch. But for those of you with solid sewing skills, it can definitely be done.
If you change the allowance the D pieces will be larger/smaller. Just trim them up to match. When you have multiple pieces there always seems to be some trimming to be done anyway. It will all work out.
This uses a lot of interfacing, so if you are trying to conserve, the strap interfacing can be pieced with interfacing scraps. It is sort of laborious, but can be a great way to use of some scraps.
Free hand cutting them to fit is probably the fastest way and will let your inner slob shine. Some slight overlap of the ends of pieces is ok. Feel free to ignore the grain of woven interfacing. It won't matter on the finished strap.
The pattern calls for interfacing half the center of the strap. If you are using quilting cotton, you might want to interface the entire width of the strap. Personally, I don't think it is necessary, but it will give a thicker strap. For the blue bag at the top I used Chambray shirting fabric, which is about the same weight and drape as quilting cotton, and interfacing just the strap center feels fine to me.
Ok, I think I've talked and written enough. Have fun sewing your bag!
I'm running a million directions today, but someone asked about the button press, so here are some details:
On Friday evening I went to an open sew and finished quilting 7 more QAYG blocks. Here are 4 hanging on my photo backdrop. If I lean it away from the wall slightly the blocks stick nicely and it can double as a small design wall.
More than 2 months have gone by since I've done ANY work on the quilt. So I was delighted to finish up some blocks.
So far, 17 blocks are complete, and there are 39 more to go. That sounds like a lot, but it is really only a little more than twice what I have now. Yes, I'm trying to convince myself it is going to get done one day!
This will be my second Quilt as You Go quilt. Read about the first one here.
Here is another Long Wallet. It is available as a sample today. Sold - Thanks! P.S. Today is the last day for these pattern pieces.
The exterior fabric is a Denyse Schmidt print called Daisy Mae Bricks. It's lined in a blue cotton with polka dots. The back/flap has a layer of fleece, so it is lightly padded.
It is $10. Price includes US shipping (available in US only). Thanks!