August 30, 2014

Date Night






Date Night.  No, not me, the new bag from Erin Erickson of Dog Under My Desk.  I have been making a lot of Erin's smaller things lately as you well know.  I think I can make the Get Carded wallet and the Zip & Go bag and never even look at the directions anymore.  I was on Pink Chalk Fabrics the other day looking to spend my $25 gift certificate that I won for my second place finish in the Bag of the Month Club with my Poolside Tote, which has gone off to a new home.  I have a harder time picking fabric out online unless I already know what it looks and feels like.  I have been wanting to try out Erin's new Date Night bag so I looked under the PDF patterns on Pink Chalk Fabrics and there it was.  So that is how I spent my gift certificate.  Buying the Date Night pattern and another one of Erin's bags, Bigger On the Inside Drawstring Backpack.

Since I just completed a bag I tested and can't show you yet and am awaiting another one I will be testing, I only have a couple of days in between.  Time to sew Date Night.  Here is a fabric I bought several months ago while visiting friends.  Time to use it.




This bag is a quick sew (except for the zipper).  The zipper has to be hand tacked and then machine basted and then sewn.  But don't try skipping any of the steps.  As you start to machine sew it, you definitely understand why you had to do all of that extra work.    Take your time on this part because it is the toughest part of the bag.  Erin gives great instructions  and gives numerous pictures to show you exactly how to manuever through it.  Oh, and by the way, you have to go back and rip out the hand stitching and the machine basting afterwards because you have to cut out the bulk of the Soft and Stable that is under it all.

Yes, this bag does use Soft and Stable.  It is a small bag (what drew me to it in the first place).  The bag measures 11.5" x 7" x  3.75" when completed, and ....it stands up on its own!


I put a pen in the front pocket in the next picture, so you can see the approximate size.



It is really hard to see the design of the bag because of the busy fabric I used.  The front body of  the bag has 3 pieces (a larger middle piece and 2 smaller end pieces).  The pocket extends across the center piece.  If you look closely, you should be able to make this out on the right side of the bag where the red from my pocket lining ends. You can also see it in the first picture of the fabric.  The back of the bag is one solid piece. 


This bag has a large base that helps it stand up and helps it hold more than you think it should.


I know the bottom has red thread on it....don't you have thread everywhere????  If you don't, please tell me how you do that!

Here is a picture from the side.



And last but not least, the inside with a solid red lining.  There are only slip pockets on the one side.  I think next time, I will put a zipper pocket on the other side.




I love this little bag.  One of my daughters is going to want a bag like this.  She struggles finding bag patterns that are small enough for her. 

I am not a tester for Dog Under My Desk (although I sure wouldn't mind being one), nor do I have any financial ties.  This opinion is my own... check out some Erin's patterns here.  They are fun to make and put together very well.  You'll love the end result!

Oh, and by the way....my daughter just picked out her fabric.  She wants that zipper pocket added and a little piping on the front.  Told you so!


16 comments:

  1. Love it! I have that pattern and plan to make one soon, too. Yes, Erin's patterns are SO great! I plan to add a zippered pocket inside, too, and I like the idea of adding some piping. Thanks for reviewing this!

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    1. You'll love it. Be patient around the zipper and strap.

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  2. P.S. No one would've noticed that thread if you hadn't pointed it out. :) Yes, I occasionally find threads - or a cat hair - on my items... after I get the photos on the computer. ;(

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    1. No pets here but it looks like I have a thread pet that sheds.

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  3. I'm glad you got the pattern. I think the design is great for people who use small bags. Although it fits more than you would think like you say because of the oval bottom. I love her patterns. They are very well written and the designs are very practical. The fabric you used is beautiful, great for bags. I did not used Soft and Stable but Thermolam. The other pattern you got (The drawstring backpack) is great too. I've used it and love the results. The zipper compartment on front is so big. About the threads I know the feeling! Sometimes is not after you get the photos to the computer that you see all these things. I got myself a Scoth Brite Lint Roller and I use it (specially on black fabric) before taking pictures. The pictures are for listing on etsy and I don't want lint or threads there.

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    1. I have a lint roller that I use on my rug. I guess I need to start using it on the bags, too.

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  4. You did a great job of the bag and I love your fabrics. As you know I've used red in a recent bag so I love this one. I've only tried Erin's free patterns but love her designs. Funny how thread only seems visible on the photos. This happens to me a lot. Yesterday I took my laptop to get a program installed and the guy found a tiny bit of thread stuck in the keys LOLLLL.

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    1. Thanks, Maria. I find thread everywhere....even on the sheets in my bed!

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  5. This is just the right size for me, although i always like an inside zipped pocket too. Love the red lining. x

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    1. Thanks, Kay. I rarely use a solid color for the lining but I really like it on this bag.

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  6. Marilyn that is a great bag. I haven't made any of Erin's bags, but I do visit her blog. I tend to have more threads all over me and the floor than anywhere else. Those threads on my projects only show up in the photos! I think they secretly wait until I am about the click the camera button and jump on my bag, quilt, or whatever I am photographing, lol!!!

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    1. That must happen to me too, Daryl. I saw it when I was writing my blog but was too lazy to retake.

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  7. Instead of "Where's Waldo?", we'll do "Where's the Thread"... you had me looking for it! I recall reading about Erin's new zipper installation challenge and it looks like you had the patience to follow it through. Terrific job on the bag (as always). Oh, and the best thing about having done a lot of bags is that you can always customize linings without any great difficulty.

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    1. Glad I gave you some entertainment, Rochelle. The zipper was not as difficult as sewing the zipper ends and strap into the top. Just completed the one for my daughter which I'll post soon.

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  8. Marilyn this bag is beautiful you did a great job, I love that fabric, black is my favourite colour and this have a touch of colour and looks great.

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    1. Thanks, Lorena. I got this fabric intending to use it as lining but so glad I used it as the outside fabric instead.

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