Amy Backpacks, For Boys

I recently got an order from a customer to make backpacks for two young nephews.  She told me that one of them liked soccer and cameras and the other liked things "that go".  She left the fabric selection up to me.

Soccer, that's easy.  I wanted to keep the fabric dark on the outside so it wouldn't show the dirt young boys can seem to carry home with them.

There were many fabrics to choose from for things "that go".  I chose the race cars.  

Even the backpacks have to have some shades of bold!  I used the same bright orange inside each one of them.

I chose to use the Amy Backpack pattern by Christine of Chris W Designs.  I love her patterns.  This pattern is designed for a younger child so I knew it would be perfect.  This pattern, like all of Christine's patterns are well written, loaded with photos and are fun to sew.  You can get this pattern here.

I did make a couple of changes.  This pattern did not have adjustable straps and since I don't know what these boys look like, I knew these bags would have to have them.

Also, because the car fabric was a directional fabric, I had to add a seam at the bottom of the gusset so that the cars would be right side up on both sides of the bag.

I delivered the bags over the weekend and the customer loved them.  I hope that the boys feel the same way.

Amelia Hobo Bag

I had the pleasure to be a tester again for Maria Petrova of Delinda Boutique.  This time the bag was a large hobo bag that was fun to make.

The great part about the Amelia Hobo Bag is that there are several variations to choose from.  The bag can close with a magnetic snap or with a recessed zipper.  There is the option of adding a slip pocket on the outside of the bag that matches the one on the inside.  While the bag can be made using a variety of different fabrics, the look of the bag can change, too, by your choice of interfacing.  It can be made with no interfacing, interfacing or fleece depending on the how "slouchy" (no, I don't really think that is a word) you would like the bag to be.

I chose to use a quilting cotton for my bag and used no interfacing or fleece.  That is something I would probably change next time.  I would have used a heavier fabric for the exterior or used some fleece on the inside. My personal preference is a little less "slouchy". (There is that word again...spellcheck isn't correcting it so maybe it really is a word).  I've had this fabric for a really long time but could not find a good bag to use it on because the print is so large.  This was the perfect bag for it because the front of the bag is one large piece of fabric.

I chose the recessed zipper closure for mine and it was pretty easy to do.

You can also see the top of the handle detail that I made from faux leather which matched what I used on the bottom of the bag.

Inside there is a zippered pocket on one side and a rounded slip pocket on the other side (not seen).

This bag is a fairly quick sew.  It is a large bag (18" across at the widest point, 14" tall and 5.5 inches deep).
It would be a great bag to take shopping because it can hold a lot of treasures!

If you would like to make this bag, too, you can get a discount if you purchase it February 13 or 14, 2015.

To apply this discount enter the coupon code 40OFFPATTERN at checkout in her ETSY shop here.

The coupon code is valid on any purchase of AT LEAST 2 sewing patterns and expires on Feb 14, 2015.

Sew Along Sugar and Spice Bag Completed

Well, my Sugar and Spice bag from the sew along on Chris W Designs Patterns facebook page is finally done.  Those of you that are familiar with my blog know that I didn't just choose the name Shades of Bold for no apparent reason.  I love rich, bold, bright colors in the bags that I make.  I often have to tone my colors down for some customer orders but this bag was my choice of fabrics so I made myself happy.

I just love the bright colors combined with the polka dots.  It makes me yearn for spring, but one look outside at all of the snow piled up reminds me that it is still a long time away.

I really like how nice the zippered top is.  It is really easy to do, too.  Don't shy away from it just because you are afraid of sewing zippers.  You will surprise yourself with this one.

I brightened the inside of the bag, too, by adding bright pink pockets.

Thanks, Christine for such a great pattern.  Thanks Rachel Anaya for putting together such a fun sew along.  I am so happy with how mine turned out.  Hope you feel the same way with yours if you participated.

First Anniversary Free Fabric Winner

Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter a comment and thus enter the contest for the free fabric.

This pack of fabric is going out to

Congratulations, Cynthia Knapp!

I will email you to get your address so the fabric can be on its way.  Enjoy!!

Sew Along - Sugar and Spice Bag Part 4

This week, I completed my next steps for my Sugar and Spice bag for the sew along on Chris W Designs Patterns Facebook page.

The outside of the bag now looks like a bag.  There is so much going on with this bag that I cut the piping down to just the pockets.  You wouldn't find them if I didn't pipe them!

The zipper is attached to the lining.

And, the inside of the lining is done with slip pockets made and attached.  I used the bright pink for the pockets so they could be easily found as well.  If I would have used more polka dots, they would have been hard to see.

So, this week I will finish.  I need to finish assembling the lining, make the base sleeve, assemble the bag and attach the straps.  Almost done.

This week, I also have a new bag to test before I can even think about the February bag of the month pattern that just arrived.  I better get sewing!