So…
since I was pretty happy with how my “Gorilla” sample turned out, I’ve now turned my attention to creating show samples in the hopes that one or two of them will be pretty, striking, SPECTACULAR enough to be on the cover of the pattern!
For my first crack at kismet, I pulled out some fabric I’ve been saving collecting for well over 15 years waiting for the perfect project. Its a cotton woven stripe a friend brought me back from a mission trip to a Latin American country. Now cotton wovens are not especially easy to work with because they ravel so much but I pre-stabilized it with lightweight fusible interfacing prior to any cutting.
For the rest of the bag I used another fabric from my stash which has lived there a long, LONG time… a very lightweight denim, and I think the combination works quite nicely with this design!
And now… let’s talk about the changes I made in this round as well as the ones that yet need to made as we proceed!
1. I know its hard to see in this photo because of the weave, but I made the Side Flanges taller so as to cut off each end of the zipper. It’s a better look AND it keeps the zipper ends from being involved in the seam.
2. I relocated the D-ring Tabs more to the center of the bag for this sample and now its much more balanced. I like that it hangs much straighter now. and also if you’ll notice, these Tabs are much shorter than they were for the “Gorilla” sample and this is also a much better look!
Here’s the bag interior and I made some key changes here as well!
3. Instead of a zippered pocket behind the credit card slots, I changed the design to include a drop in pocket. The pocket gets kinda stiff with all of those cards in it, which didn’t play well with a zippered pocket, so this change just made sense. Instead, I placed the zippered pocket inside the much wider back pocket, but it would be a simple matter of substitution to place it on the plain wall in this pocket if one desired. 🙂
So are there still changes that need to be made? Sure there are! But for the most part these are small tweeks… moving a notch here… shortening a panel there… but nothing very big or dramatic.
So from here on out, I’ll be working on making samples, writing instructions and drawing illustrations until its finally time to publish! So please stay tuned on this journey with us!
And now it’s YOUR turn…
I’d love to know what YOU think of this design and of course I’m ALWAYS in the market for a unique and fun NAME for this design! So please feel free to leave your comments, both pro and con in the space provided below.
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29 Comments
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I like your improvements. Looking forward to this pattern. It has all the features I love in a purse.
Terrific Karen! I love hearing that! 🙂
I like the size and shape of this bag, Always love the number of pockets you can manage to get into a bag. Excited for this pattern.
Music to my ears Vicki! 🙂
I LOVE that striped fabric with the denim! Beautiful! I really like the size and shape of this. It looks like it would be great for a trip to the grocery, where you want some things, but not everything, from whatever purse you carry daily. I’m anxious to see further developments, but it’s practically perfect now.
Thanks a bunch Barbara! I think you’ll be pleased! 🙂
Really love your combination of fabrics as well as the changes you have made to the design of the bag!
Thanks so much Nancy- I cant wait to show you more!
Love the fabrics you used in this bag. I am hoping it is a little larger than the Bangle Buddie. I liked that bag but it was a little too small for me. I gave it to my daughter and she loves it.
Well…. I wouldnt say its larger, but the squared off shape gives it more usuable interior space. The rounded top area of the Bangle Buddie was limiting in some ways. Does that make sense?
This may be the bag of my dreams. something about the shape…..So looking foward to buying this pattern!
Wonderful! I love hearing this Nancy! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I love this bag! I love the curved edge to the front slip pocket, and I always appreciate a zipper pocket on the back side. The card slots are so handy. And can we talk about your fabric choices! Oh my! LOVE LOVE LOVE the rainbow cotton woven!!!! And, IMO, you can never go wrong with denim! I am curious on the size? Someone already said it, but I’ll be saying it as well – love your tweaks, I believe it’s “practically perfect in every way”!
Thanks for the kind words Patty! It IS almost there. and I’ve been really happy with how this design has progressed! I’m not quite ready to declare the size though. Maybe in the next post? 🙂
What a great shape for this bag! And the colors are spot-on, too. Can’t wait to add this to my pattern collection.
I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for your kind words and I hope you’ll take a spin at actually making one for yourself too! 🙂
I agree with everyone that these fabrics are wonderful. They really highlight the features of this bag. [With the floral fabric, I had thought that there was a flap over the outside front pocket and instead it was the fabric creating that effect. Probably I was the only one who made that visual mistake.]
I like this bag. A lot. Even more in the new colorway. It’s my kind of bag-you could name it “That’s My Bag!”
So glad to hear it Pattie! 🙂
Think this is the bag that I’ve been waiting for! Like the shape and size and features so will keep my eye on this one! And your new look is very becoming! It gives you a softer, younger look and your smile says you like it too! Looking for the next samples!
Lois
Thanks Lois. I’m so glad you like this new design and I can’t wait to show you MORE! 🙂
Yes! As I said before, I love this bag and the current changes.
However, whatever the panel of icons on the side of the page that jump up and down as you go down the pages is Awful! I don’t know about others, but that bobbing around can bring on a migraine. I would hate to not be able to come to your site often.
Hi. Love the look of the new pattern.
Can you add more card slots please?
Thanks for the question Raewyn although that will probably not be something I’ll be doing. You see the whole credit card slot option is VERY “space intensive” in a pattern… as in, adding more slots would easily add one, if not two more pattern sheets which would just add to the expense of the pattern.
But here’s what i would suggest. The interior card slot option can easily be substituted for a 2nd or 3rd interior wall if so desired. All you’;d have to do is make the substitution (and get some extra lining fabric) to have all the slots you’d like! 🙂
I hate using a wallet. Too much fumbling at the checkout. So I won’t purchase a handbag without the built in wallet. Your new bag will be perfect and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of this type in the future.
Looks awesome! My first thought was “grab’n’go” although I don’t think it’s very original.
Yep- thats a good name, but its been used… so therefore its OUT! The hardest part about naming a new patterm, is finding an unused name! 🙂
Love the improvements! Overall, it leaves room for us to add on the bits we need—-I like the pockets behind the CC holder! And the flanges look much tidier.
I like your Gemini—Maybe Flight Aide!
Thanks Alma- so glad you like the changes! I can’t wait to show you even MORE!