Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Kimberly Bag

Sewers talk about fabric stashes a lot, but I don't hear a lot of talk about pattern stashes. Well, ladies and gents, I am a stasher of both fabric and patterns and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Fabric stashes are essential for those spur of the moments when you just must-make-something-right-this-instant. Pattern stashes serve the same purpose with the added bonus of actually giving you a little bit of direction. Call me an enabler of stashing if you must.

After I bought my new machine, I had a must-make-a-bag-with-lots-of-interfacing-and-test-this-baby kind of moment. So I pulled Amy Butler's Kimberly Bag out of my pattern stash and some Nigella out of my fabric stash and got to work. I couldn't have been happier with the results of the Bernina or of the pattern.

I recommend this pattern for intermediate to advanced sewers. Although the pattern pieces are accurate and the instructions are clear, I would not recommend this pattern for beginner sewers. New sewers will probably find the zipper, pleats, and heavy interfacing challenging to sew.

The bag style may not be for everyone, I realize, but I like it. I do feel a little like I'm carrying a clarinet case, but it sure is one cool clarinet case, isn't it?

Pattern: Kimberly Bag by Amy Butler
Fabric: Nigella in Lime Primrose by Amy Butler
Modifications: I glued an extra panel of Timtex at the bottom between the lining and outer pieces after turning the bag inside out. I added purse feet, hoping to protect the bottom panel from dirt. I also added a simple slip pocket to the lining.

17 comments:

Philigry said...

beautiful! i love this bag! you did a great job.

Jillian said...

It looks great!

Unknown said...

Love the perfectly centered flower!! The bag looks perfect : )

Flowerdew Onehundred said...

Oh, I have an obnoxious pattern stash. I think I have more patterns by cubic volume than I do fabric!

Anonymous said...

I love the bag! Stephanie, I just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Details on my blog! Cindy

Anonymous said...

I love the bag! Stephanie, I just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Details on my blog! Cindy

Becky J. said...

love, love, love the bag!! great job.

Mary said...

The bag came out great! Nice job centering the flower. I'm a pattern stasher too, and I have that pattern which I want to try some day.

UK lass in US said...

The bag looks beautiful - much nicer than the old clarinet case under my bed...

Machelle said...

Im diggint the that a lot and yes I have as many patterns stashed as I do fabric or yarn!!! Great job.

sweetfunkyvintage said...

such a great bag!
beautiful job!
missy

Gay McDonell said...

That's a fine bag - congratulations!

Tracey said...

You did a wonderful job on this lovely bag. I have that pattern and the perfect fabric to make it - after reading your review I think I will put it on my list for next month. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I really like the bag. It is so pretty and original. You can put some long knitting needles in there, long licorice sticks, a few rulers, maps, so many long things.
It's neat. I love the fabric too.

Ruth said...

Such a beautiful bag! I need to make one of these!

Mimosa said...

Really beautiful !

ReminisceHeirlooms said...

This bag is FABULOUSSSSSSSSs!