Hey Sewers!
Today I'm doing a review on The Convertible Bag pattern by Sewing Patterns by Mrs H (Samantha Hussy)
you can buy this pattern as either a Digital download (PDF) or a paper pattern from www.mrs-h.com
Over on Mrs H Bagineers facebook group there was a bag swap which was organised by the team which run the page and i decided to join in.
The pattern we all had to use was The Convertible bag then once we finished making it we had to sent it to our secret swapper. This was my first time making this pattern (Ive now since made it again)
The things i love about this bag are, its actually 2 bags in one bag, it can be used as a cross body bag or a backpack (you do all this by adjusting the strap into the position you need for that type of bag you want to carry on that day)
Another thing i love about this bag is the slimness of it how compact it really is but holds loads of everyday things in it, i can even put my large electronic tablet in it.
It also worked out to be a quick sew, once i cut it out and fused all the interfacing together it sewed together fast all in all it took around 3 hours approx
I decided to make this bag in mainly faux leather apart from the flap closure and the lining fabric which i used 100% cotton. The octopus fabric is by Tokyo Milk from the range Neptune and the Mermaid
I did miss a few things out of the pattern mainly pockets, i missed the back outside zip pocket. I left this and made it plain, due to the fact in the past as i use bulky zipper pulls they tend to dig in my back (this is if the bag was to be used as a backpack) so i was thinking comfort especially as i was making this for someone else. I also didn't have enough of the lining fabric to do the large slip pocket in side. I still managed to do the inside zipper pocket,
The back view of the bag (in backpack position)
As in this photo you can see the long strap feeds though this tunnel tube which then you clip the swirl hooks on the bottom d-rings to make the shoulder straps to be able to use it as a backpack, which you can adjust with the strap adjuster to make it more comfortable for you.
To make it a cross body bag you have to unclasp the hooks from the d rings at the bottom of the bag and feed the long strap though the tube tunnel at the top, then your find 2 d rings either side of the top of the flap which then you attach the long strap to. See pictures below
The coolest (is that even a word lol) element of this bag (which Ive never seen before) is how the box corner is made and leaves an added detail on the finished bag.
The picture below shows you this, i think the reason Mrs H did this was to stop it giving you a boxy feel and more of a curve edge feel, so there isn't any harsh corners
The flap closes with a thumb catch closure (which is a push bottom to open it and a push and clip to close it)
Since i made this bag with mainly faux leather i opted to use fusible fleece but if i was to make this in just cotton fabric i would use medium interfacing and a foam stabiliser like headliner ( which they use in cars) the reason i went with fleece is because i use marine weight faux leather and this already has a bit of stiffness to it, so i just decided to add a low loft fusible fleece to make it hold its shape.
My overall view of this pattern is i love it and the fact that i can make it within 3 hours is a big bonus for me. Would i make more of this bag, of course i would (Ive already made one for my oldest girl)
I can see in my mind many ways of making this bag, the flap has a large area which you can add many elements i.e an embroidery or even a patchwork quilt block, the creativity is endless
If you have any questions on how i made this bag please ask away
there is many more photos over on my facebook page and instagram page
for you to take a look at.
Becky
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