in our last post I showed you the “gorilla sample” for what will eventually be our next pattern design. I generally make 5-7 samples of each design in order to truly evaluate a pattern and to also give ourselves a chance to make the PURR-fect sample for our cover! And speaking of which, let me show you the 1st potential cover sample we created in support of this new pattern!
It’s been quite some time since I’ve used fabric by Ann Lauer & I almost forgot how much I love the way she always mixes metallic highlights into her fabrics. And with all of this bling in the fabric, you know we HAD to balance all that out with one of our “blingified” zippers. But don’t worry, I’ll tell you way more about this delicious fabric at the end of the post!And for this design, I tried out a new way to attached the D-ring. You might remember that I generally attached my hardware with a “Tab” of some sort… but for this design, I opted to span my tab ends from side edge to side edge of the center panel (Notice that the gold arrow is pointing to the new style Tab.)And there’s one thing I noticed while carrying the “Gorilla Sample” and that’s that I found it a bit inconvenient for these cool credit card slots to be located on the back side of the bag (next to the body), because then it was totally inconvenient to try to access this section while carrying the bag as a shoulder or as a cross body bag. As a matter of fact, the only way to access the credit card area would be to first place it on a table and let’s face it, that is NOT always immediately accessible, like in a checkout line. So for THIS sample, I opted to locate the Credit Cards slots on the front side of the bag, immediately behind the front pouch area and I like this SO much better!And this change of course necessitated moving the wallet & mesh pocket section to the back of the bag. But you know what? Now that I’ve carried the “Gorilla Sample” for another week I’ve come to realize that I do not like this arrangement either because this means that the wallet components will now be facing AWAY from the body (and that’s why you can’t even see it in this picture), which will make it a quite cumbersome to get in and out of the zippered coin purse area, not to mention the paper money. I’ll address this problem in the next sample I show you, coming up SOON!
And because it’s a bit difficult to get a good closeup photo of the Wallet section, I thought I’d also include this photo of the unit during mid-construction. I labeled the three sections for your consideration.
And now, a few words about this extraordinary fabric! The metallic paisley exterior is by Ann Lauer of Grizzley Gulch Gallery for Benartex fabric. It’s called “Peacock Flourish”. The coordinating fabric I used has been in my stash for a LONG time.
And now, it’s YOUR turn!
So my vision for this design is almost where I want it to be, but does this sample seem cover-worthy to you?? And remember, we love reading your comments and answering your questions too, so please feel free to leave either or both in the space provided below.
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I love this sample! The fabric is gorgeous. I like that you moved the credit card slots to the front. I totally agree with your reasoning. I see the problem with the wallet and will be watching to see how you solve it.
Katon June 5, 2021 at 8:52 am
Thanks Barbara, I can’t wait to show you! 🙂
Bethon June 5, 2021 at 11:30 am
This is beautiful. I’d say it would be cover worthy except for the changes you plan to make to the money pockets.
I love this sample! The fabric is gorgeous. I like that you moved the credit card slots to the front. I totally agree with your reasoning. I see the problem with the wallet and will be watching to see how you solve it.
Thanks Barbara, I can’t wait to show you! 🙂
This is beautiful. I’d say it would be cover worthy except for the changes you plan to make to the money pockets.
Thanks Beth! It was a fun sample to make!
That is absolutely stunning!
why thank you Virginia! You’ve made my day! 🙂