Butterick Large Bags - Style B: take 2
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by malaka on 22-12-2008
Although I like the way this bag turned out the first time I made it (here) I wanted to make it again with a few adjustments. First, I didn’t love the fabric I used, second.. I wanted it to be less slouchy.. I like a bag to keep it’s shape.
I pulled out my favorite fabric to date, Sophia by Alexander Henry. I used to be SO against using ‘big name’ fabrics but gah, this fabric makes me smile every time I see it!
Pictures do not do this one justice. It looks and feels so gorgeous in real life:
Have I mentioned that making the same pattern a second time is so much easier? Why do I torture myself and constantly make new patterns? I guess there is just so much out there that I want to try I can’t stand it! But, I will admit again that making something I’ve already made before is a lot less stressful!
Anyway, the home dec weight fabric helped, but I also added medium interfacing to the exterior and fusible fleece to the interior. The pattern uses a seperate piece for the upper interior, so I used heavy-weight firm interfacing for that. It was a pain in the butt, but it holds it’s shape well!
Something new on this bag: I used a cotton/poly blend for the solid black interior and handles. Why? Well, I noticed if I bought cheap black cotton fabric, lint would stick to it so bad that it was making me crazy. I realized with a nice polyester blend, nothing stuck to it.. it is smooth and clean looking, and can likely handle spills better inside a bag.
Over the last few months, I’ve bought at least 15 yards of plain black material, so I needed something inexpensive. I found the cotton/poly blend and it was cheap - on sale for $2.99/yd and I’m relatively certain that it’s not more than $4/yd normally.
The only problem I had with it was that once it was folded over several times for the strap, no machine needle I had would puncture it. Last resort, I pulled out my ballpoint knit sewing machine needles, and that worked. I don’t know why a ball-point needle worked when not even a jeans/denim needle would work. I’ve sewed MUCH thicker fabric (upholstery fabric, backed & folded over several times) with my machine, so I don’t think the thickness was the issue.
After the holidays, I’m going to replenish my stash with non-black & white fabrics! I look at all the bags I’ve made over the last few weeks and they’re ALL black & white!
