My Make it Yours bag pattern... |
I measured all of the exposed surfaces and then added an inch all the way around for a forgiving, easy to manage half inch seam allowance. To ensure symmetrical results, I created pattern pieces that could be cut on the fold where applicable, such as the body front and back panels and the gusset.
And then — because I am so not into "testing" with crappy materials — I boldly went ahead and cut out actual fabric to make this bag. (I also took the time to photograph my progress, because I was going to use the pictures in my eventual PDF pattern, the cover for which you see at the top of this post). I chose the same bed sheet and Wal-Mart tea towel combination that I used for my wallet project. The lining was yet another bed sheet. And as luck would have it, I had just enough bias tape left over (from trimming the wallet) that I also used it to trim the handles of my bag.
I knew what features I wanted for this bag, but as a pattern that I hoped to sell in future, it was important to me to design it to be relevant to as many people as possible. So here's the thing: I basically finished writing this tutorial last summer. I then tested out the instructions by making this bag with a bed sheet from Mom's linen closet. (Between Mom and me, she definitely has the more interesting bed sheets!)
Yet another Make it Yours test bag! |
One of those ideas eventually led me back to the ol' drawing board, because I really wanted the bag to be wider at the bottom. Well, that set me back for many weeks because the thought of altering the pattern was really discouraging. (It's a bugger to ensure that the scanned pattern pieces print out in the correct size once they are migrated to a Word doc turned PDF.) But eventually, I got around to — at least — coming up with a new set of pattern pieces.
Which of course, led to yet another bag. But that's a story to be continued at another time. ;-)
Next week, I will release a tutorial for a simple iPod/Mp3 Player Carrying Case.
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