Bucket Bag

Bucket Bag

I love sewing bags but sometimes they don't turn out as well as I would like. Not "sew" with my new "Bonnie" bag from Swoon Patterns. Alicia Miller is a wonderful designer that makes very user friendly patterns that make sense. There are also tutorials on the blog page on her site. 

There is also a strong, active Facebook group Swoon Patterns Group with over 10,000 members that are always willing to help. A lot of inspiration there also. 

The vinyl is from Joann. The fabric is an outdoor print and a tone on tone green stripe, also from Joann.

You can make the welt pocket with or without a zipper. I chose to make it with. I added a couple of extra pockets to the lining for convenience. 

August 16, 2015 this bag has been featured on:

Threading My Way Features

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Sugar & Spice Bag by Chris W Designs

Sugar & Spice Bag

I have been searching for a bag pattern off and on for about 6 months. I had lots of other projects to finish first. Then the quest began. There are many good ones out there but I decided on the Sugar & Spice Bag by Chris W Designs.

This is her stock picture for the pattern.

 

I made some modifications, of course. Less tall, more wide, east/west rather than north/south. Chose a separating zipper. Decided to quilt the fabric, in a diagonal grid pattern, a la Vera Bradley. Added metal feet. I used 2 layers of plastic canvas and one of peltex in the bottom for stability. These are held in place by the metal feet. 

Here are some "in progress" photos.

 This is the front and back. They are identical. There are 2 slip pockets on each side.

 Lining. The green pocket is divided in half and sized for sunglasses etc. The smaller is divided into 3 sections for lipstick and smaller items. The other side is a mirror image.

 This is the zipper casing. You will see it is different on the finished bag.

The straps are lined with interfacing and fleece. They are about 1.5 inches side and are quilted with 5 lines of straight line quilting. The bottom is also quilted in the diagonal grid. Yes, there is a pocket on the bottom, inside.

Soooo, for the finished product.

 Not bad, Huh.

 Kinda fun, kinda preppy.

Can hold a LOT of stuff!

 I changed the zipper casing so that it would let the separating zipper, well, separate! To open wide like this.

 

 Bottom with feet!

Another view, yep, I'm a proud Mama!

Please check out Chris W Designs 

I am also planning to write a review on patternreview.com

Quilted Bag

Fabric choices. Can you tell BLUE is my favorite color??

 I like lots of pockets!!

 The main bag piece, the sides and the large outside pocket are quilted, by ME. 

Inside pockets too.  One on each end and one on the inside front.  More!!

This is a BIG bag. Can go to the beach or to a quilt show!!
It has already been to the beach.  Can hold 4 large towels, or one small child

Yes, this was the bag I was going to enter in Purse Palooza. I missed the deadline, OH WELL.