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Christine Sling Tester Inspiration

The Christine Sling pattern pulls together a classic camera bag silhouette with a modern wide statement strap. The possibilities of fabric combinations are truly endless.  For a full rundown of pattern specifics, including features and where to source materials, check out the Christine Sling Intro here.

TESTER BAGS

As I develop a pattern, there are so many considerations that have to take place.  My first priority is to always make a bag approachable for beginning sewists who have basic domestic machines.  That’s why I like to always like to have full fabric versions of a pattern, but I also like to show more complex versions with other substrates for more advanced bag-makers.  My testing group runs the gambit of experience and I am so appreciative of their knowledge and different skillsets.

Carrie (@carriedwithyou) made not one, but TWO tester versions of the Christine Sling.  Her first make was this sweet floral version with natural cork accents and metal-look nylon zippers.  Then…Carrie went to the other side of the spectrum for a dark and sleek version of the bag using some webbed matte vinyl and incredible red accents. She used seatbelt webbing for the strap giving the whole look some chic vibes!  You can find out her patterns and finished bags for sale at www.carriedwithyou.com.

Maggie (@ms.maggiemakes) is an incredible bag-maker and I love her use of different fabric patterns and color.  Her version of the Christine Sling did not disappoint my expectations at all!  She used this great pink mirror-effect vinyl along with a mix of donut quilt cotton for her bag.  I love the way she using upholstery trim for the piping instead of the “plain” stuff I used.  It makes her bag SO much fun!  Follow her instagram to see her makes…many are for sale too 😉

Mallory (@malloryhillmakes) is a local friend and also my copy-editor.  She makes incredible bags and clothes, which makes her invaluable with technical knowledge.  Her boho version of the Christine is just perfect for everyday!  The leather accents and piping, help to give more depth and framing to the bag.  It will make a statement with any outfit!  You can follow her blog at www.malloryhill.com.

Robbin (@sewfarmquilter) is the newest team member of the testing group.  I have been following her since my quilting days and was so happy to know she wanted to test the Christine! Her version of the bag is very classy and demure on the outside, but pure party on the inside.  I’m a sucker for a wild bag lining (since RTW ones are always boring!) and this one is perfect.  If you can see, Robbin scalloped the edges of her leather accents to add more texture and appeal.  It is such a great look!  Check out all of Robbin’s makes on her instagram.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but NOTHING is more heart-warming than it is to see my patterns sewn up by all of YOU!  For a full-range of different takes on the Christine Sling, check out the hashtag, #christinesling, on Instagram.  You know I follow it 😉 and LOVE being tagged in all of your makes.

These pictures are so inspirational and I hope you are able to get some ideas when you make your Christine Sling.  Pattern available here.

 

Happy Sewing,

Cristy

Abbey Convertible Backpack DIY Sewing Pattern

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I’ve been on a long pattern writing break and look at me….I have two out in less than a month!  It might be all the inspiration I’m feeling or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve learned quite a bit more about designing now 🙂  It really is a combination of all the above along with clearing my plate of other sewing commitments so I can focus!  You can check out the FREE Kelly Waist Bag pattern  just released a few weeks ago here and keep on reading for the long awaited Abbey Convertible Backpack…

Abbey Backpack by Love You Sew

At the end of 2017,  I was looking for a fun bag idea for my toddler niece.  But since she’s a little fashionista, I wanted to make her a “non-kid bag” and more of an “adult-bag”….just in a miniature size. With boho style hot at that minute, I remember seeing so many hiker style backpacks around with southwestern prints.  I had this great canvas fabric in my stash from April Rhodes and knew it would be perfect for my niece.

I made this little backpack just thinking it would be a one-off project — that was until I posted it on my Instagram.  That’s when all the comments and inquiries flooded in.  I had at least half a dozen people wanting to buy it.  But no, it was only for my niece. <3  Although I didn’t want to sell the actual bag, I knew I had a great design…especially as a kid-size bag that’s modern and something an adult might like….

Fast forward a year after learning to use some proper drafting software and I was set to tackle the longest and most involved bag I’ve written to date.  From the first design, much has changed.  The body is slightly larger and more pockets have been added inside and on the back. The most significant change is the additional hardware to make the Abbey a completely convertible adult bag too!

Abbey Crossbody by Love You Sew

With a quick switch of the swivel clasps from the lower connectors up to the top ones, the backpack changes to a cross-body!  This allows the Abbey to be such a versatile bag and can change with you depending on the situation.  ‘Sometimes you just want your bag out of the way and sometimes you need all the access to it — I get it!  Additionally, the Abbey also has these features:

  • Convenient front zipper pocket for keys, chapstick or change
  • Magnetic snap tab closure for easy access to the main compartment
  • Back slip pocket – perfect for your phone, boarding passes or concert tickets
  • Interior zipper pocket to keep valuables safe
  • A generously sized adjustable strap which can be used for the backpack or crossbody

As a bag-maker, you will love having this unique design which you can (of course) keep, but also gift to friends and family, both young and mature.  I’m thinking some mommy and me versions would be so cute!  You will also learn some great techniques such as:

  • Installing magnetic snaps (with my tips to prevent the prongs from wearing through your fabric!)
  • Using three different types of interfacing for a structured, yet pliable bag
  • Creating zipper welt pockets
  • Making an adjustable strap
  • Construction style which leaves a clean and seamless base.
  • And I’m already working on some hacks to leave you with more options and ways to customize each bag you make 😉

Sonata Abbey Backpack

For some inspiration, you can check out my Sonata Fabric Showcase Tour here.  These were both prototypes as I was testing out interfacing combinations and still checking out which features to keep in the pattern.

  • The blue bag used foam interfacing which I thought was just too much.  The bag was not able to fold very well.  However, it uses leather accents which I do include in the cutting table.  (I will write a blog post for the zipper frame soon!)
  • For the pink bag, this was a test to see how quilt cotton would hold versus the recommended canvas.  It still had great shape and pliability, but some structure is lost.  Once the bag is filled up, it’s not that noticeable though.  This version is the lightest weight and great for using all of those cute quilt cotton prints for little ones.

If you need even more inspiration, you have to check out all of these amazing creations from my tester group.  These ladies are absolutely amazing and I could not make this pattern without all of their help!  You can click through each image below to direct you to the maker.

Pattern Summary:

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much I do!  Happy Sewing!

 

Cristy

 

 

Colleen Tote :: Pattern Release


It’s been quite a journey, but I have finally written my Colleen Tote bag pattern! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know I’ve been making this bag for well over a year now, but always tweaked the design every time I made it.  As a newbie designer, I just wasn’t comfortable enough to bring it out to the sewing market.  There were people were asking me about the pattern every time I posted a new iteration and I kept pushing it off until…I finally told myself to get out of my own head and just write it!

The Colleen Tote was designed to be the classic open tote bag to carry a large number of things. The clean design makes it versatile enough for any occasion…and allows you the creative freedom for customization.  I’m thinking a quilted block maybe in the works 😉   You can use the tote for the beach, as a work bag (large enough for a laptop,) a diaper bag or just a throw-all-your-junk-in bag.  There are so many possibilities.

 

With a roomy open compartment, I made sure to add in a zipper pocket to keep personal items secure and an easy-access slip pocket for a phone and chapstick.  You can also see the fun, yet functional interior band.  This adds deign interest while giving extra support for the weight of the rolled handles.

The next feature added was a trusty key fob.  I have a car with the keyless ignition, so I find myself actually losing my keys or leaving them in my car more than I’d like to admit….so I made sure to add in this feature to quickly allow me to click my keys onto the tote.  The other thing I find myself doing is fishing around for my sunglasses.  I tend to just throw them in my bag, so I made the key fob double duty.  You can hang your glasses through the loop to more easily find and locate your sunnies!

Original Tote Pattern

When I first made what would turn into the Colleen, I was testing out waxed canvas and learning to make my own.  I figured a tote would be a great use for this fabric treatment.  I drafted a VERY simple tote with very light interfacing and didn’t even even really create a sturdy bottom.  I cut leather straps and attached them with rivets as shown above.  But this was just the jump off…

Customer Order

Later on,  one of my very best and loyal customers asked me to make a “plain” tote bag as she called it with just one fabric for the exterior without any contrasting bottom or the leather handles.  It’s a joke between us now…because she knows I do not make “plain.”

Beautiful Leather and Rivet Enhancements

That’s when I suggested some rolled handles to make the tote a bit more interesting instead of just flat sewn-in ones.  And of course, I jazzed it up with some rivets and leather accents.  With this special request came the second view of the Colleen along with the rolled handles.

As I worked on the design, I played with different interfacing combinations and thought a combo of woven plus fusible fleece works for me.  If you would like something more rigid, yet soft, some foam would be perfect.  However, the weight of the bag does get heavy….especially when you start to add your own stuff inside.  Peltex lines the base to make the Colleen sturdy and you can swap it out with needlepoint plastic if that’s more to your liking.

The handles are secured down with two rows of top-stitching, but you can opt to use rivets in place of the second row of stitching.  The extra bit of hardware makes this pattern look so chic and professional.

Additionally, rivets can be added to the handles for strength and for a little more jazz.  These are all fun ideas to help bring your Colleen Tote up a notch!

As part of the release this week, you can purchase the Colleen Tote digital PDF pattern for 20% off in my Etsy shop. Additionally, you can also get my Claire Foldover Crossbody bag on sale as well! (Sale good through July 2, 2018.)

 

Happy Sewing Friends!

Cristy