Beetle Bag

This bag was also made in September right before my vacation. I used the Go Anywhere Bag pattern by Noodlehead because I was too lazy to make a pattern myself that I had been contemplating for so long. This pattern was similar enough to the one in my head, so I bought it.

I loved the abundance of pockets and the deep strap opening allows for easy access to the bag without taking it off your shoulder. The back pocket above is supposed to be one big one, but I divided it into two. One side is actually bigger than the other so that I could fit a book into it. I also added two interior cell phone pockets.

This was my first time using piping and adding in a magnetic snap. I love the piping and am glad I learned how to add in the snap, but in reality I never use that snap.

Overall I love the bag, but I feel that the outside pockets, when filled with a book and water bottle, take away from the interior space of the bag. I only use the outside pockets for small things now. I guess I will have to make that pattern in my head someday.

Patterns and Pleats

I have a confession. I've never used a paper pattern before. (Gasp! No!) I own quite a few, but have never actually used one. I felt kind of intimidated not knowing what those little triangles and dotted lines meant. Yesterday I decided that I would conquer my fear and start out with a bag. I mean, it says right there:  "It's So Easy."  They wouldn't lie, right?

It took me a while to cut out the pieces, because I wanted it to be perfect and had to figure out the stripe placement, but also partly because I kept looking things up (like those triangle figures) in The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing. They have everything under the sun in this book. I'm glad I bought it. Now I don't have to call my mom or look things up online so much. (Those little triangles are notches that you should cut outward, so as to match up your pattern later. Oh!)

This was also my first time making pleats, but the pattern did not lie: it was easy! 

I added in some phone and blackberry pockets. Essential for any bag, but this pattern did not include them.

Overall, I really like it. The fabric I used was the same that I covered my cork board in. I really wanted to make a purse out of some Echino fabric that I have (which I will make at some later date), but this was the test bag. The handles are a little too short for my liking, too.

Patterns and pleats: check. Lesson learned.