Saturday, March 8, 2014

The Convertible Bag

A New Bag of the Month Pattern


You can join this bag of the month club... for 6 new and exciting bag patterns
at Sew Sweetness blog
Since I love to make purses and bags, I signed up, last December, to get into this fun club at Sew Sweetness . We get a  new bag pattern each  month, for 6 months.  These bags are designed by 6 super talented and creative bag pattern designers.   

March's Designer is  one of my favorites... Samantha  from At Home With Mrs H

Samantha from Sewing Patterns with Mrs. H. is a Welsh pattern designer with a group of pretty yet practical bags in her pattern library. She also sells the perfect hardware to go along with her bags.

The Bag:   The Convertible Bag  


The Convertible Bag pattern   by Samantha  of Sewing Patterns by Mrs H
 
I love the bold and contemporary fabrics that Samantha used in her bag.  The solid pink color is actually a front pocket!
And have you noticed the cool hardware she incorporates into this slim and sophisticated messenger bag?
There are swivel clips on the handle strap, which is an adjustable across- the- body handle strap, and  on the front flap.... there's a thumb catch!  (There's a pocket hiding underneath it!)



Hardware Note:   I was able to get my hardware:
Swivel clips - 1 "  JoAnn Fabric  in the store
3/4 " D rings    JoAnn Fabric     4 in a pack in the store
Thumb Catch   Michelle Pattens   (several sizes available)
Triglide buckle- 1 "  Michelle Patterns

Samantha also sells them in super convenient hardware kit , at her Etsy shop... for about $20 including shipping to the US.  

Stabilizer for outer bag:   Annie's Soft and Stable   I got it at Annie's

So here is my Convertible Bag...

The Convertible Bag     Susie's Sunroom
Fabric:  Swallow  in Teal     Bungalow  by Joel Dewberry
              Zigtone Grass    Bungalow by Joel Dewbery

The colors are actually more teal in person....   I love this fabric!!



Finished size:   11 1/2 " tall x 10 " wide x 2 1/2 " deep


The back side   has  a zippered outside pocket.
There is a strap tunnel above the zipper.... for converting the bag into a back pack!
Inside of the back zippered pocket


The front with the large slip pocket
Side view  of The Convertible Bag    Susie's Sunroom


There are pockets galore in this bag.... inside a zippered pocket and a big slip pocket!


There's room for a tablet or Ipad,  and still room for more!!


Opening up the flap



A selfie of my hand , reaching easily into the back outer zippered pocket


My observations:

  •  Samantha's directions are clear and easy to understand, with lots of pictures
  • The Annie's Soft and Stable gives it a nice stiffness, and it "stands" alone.
  • It has Pockets !  Pockets!  Pockets!     and Pockets!!   4 of them in all.  
  • the  Outer pockets are very convenient for easy access!
  • It has a cool Thumb Catch fastener!
  • It has the across-the-body adjustable strap, and it is skinny!
  • It can hold a tablet (mine is an Asus) and you'd never even notice that! There's still room for regular "purse stuff", too!
  • It can turn into a backpack style bag in a minute!


I am pretty sure this won't be the last Convertible Bag that you'll see on my blog...

I'm off to my sewing room!
Linked up to:   Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and
                      TGIFF  @  Sew Giving  and
                       Sew Darn Crafty @ Sew Many Ways

10 comments:

  1. Great bag! You have done a really good job. I have made a few bags and they are a challenge! The fabrics perfect, too. Looks like Spring!

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  2. visiting from tgiff. This is amazing. I love the way it can convert to a back pack. Love the colours and the pockets!!

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  3. I love it, Susie; it has a professional look ; you used such a nice fabric combination. Can't wait to try soon that closure too.

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  4. Very pretty and I like the display with the bird statue (which sort of mirrors the birds in the fabric)! I was so curious about how it converts to a back pack that I went to Samantha's site to see it-- fabulous!! Thanks for showing it.

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  5. Oh Susie! I love it!! You've done such a fabulous job and I love your fabrics - as always!!

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  6. Pretty bag Susie! The hardware gives it a professional finish and the fabric is a perfect compliment!!

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  7. Susie, your bag looks GREAT! The fabric and colours are tops. I am looking forward to making my version as soon as I can manage. Thanks for showing how well a tablet fits - I had wondered if it would slip in and now I know it will be a perfect fit.

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  8. What a nice bag! A really well-made work :-)
    Greetings, Nata

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  9. Wow, Susie!! The bag looks fabulous! I just have to pin this so I can make one for myself one day.

    -Soma

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  10. Cool pattern! Your stitching looks so perfect! Well done.

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