So… in our last post in this new Purse Pattern Chronicles series I shared with you my inspiration for this new design as well as the original sketchwork & once again I went straight from the working sketch to the 1st prototype, and overall I was pretty happy with how this 1st sample came out. Let me tell you what I liked and what I feel could be improved in the next round!
This is the front pouch area which is definitely wide & deep enough to not only hold any of todays larger cell phones, but also several of the newer Kindle models. I do not like however that little snippet of white lining fabric that’s peeking out from behind that pouch area! That was a miscalculation & you can bet it’ll be fixed in the next round!Here’s a quick look at the larger of the two interiors which features a couple of mesh pockets as well as a few penholders. There’s also a generous coin purse and paper money area, but I’m not particularly pleased with how the coin purse refuses to lie flat against the bag wall… that’ll be fixed in the next round, that is for SURE!This is the thinner front zippered section and it’s a drop-down double credit/loyalty card section. There’s 8 cards slots on EACH side but I know this is difficult to discern in this photo since the lining fabric I used here is black AND very busy. I’m happy with how this section turned out except for two things. First, I realized after carrying this bag for a day or two that the orientation of this card section needs to change based on whether the user carries their bag on their right or left shoulder. This isnt a big problem but I do need to make a small change on the pattern pieces AND also include some verbiage within the pattern so that our customers can get these units facing in the correct direction as they make their bag. 🙂This photo shows a good look at the back of this little bag which right now is sized at 8″ X 5.5″ X 2.5″. So overall, I’m pleased with this sample as a 1st prototype. The proportions may change slightly, but not by much. Right now it can easily accommodate any smart phone on the Market today as well as the newer Kindle’s. I carried this sample for less than a week and found that even though it was on the small side, it easily held everything I normally carry on a daily basis. The only problem was… (see below)…Oh NO!!!!!! I noticed that the zipper was pulling away from the seam. The only way this can happen is if I accidentally nicked or clipped into the zipper edge because this is a woven zipper, and just like a woven fabric it’ll unravel like CRAZY once that sealed edge is compromised. I sure dont remember doing this but obviously it happened at some point. This is worth remembering if you ever use woven zipper sold by us or others because there’s really no fixing this. Once the unraveling starts its virtually impossible to stop. 🙁 **PLEASE NOTE:** Here’s an important clarification: You CAN cut COMPLETELY ACROSS a woven zipper without causing this unraveling issue, (to shorten it for example), but you should never nick or clip into the sealed side edge of a woven zipper because that is what will initiate the unraveling sequence.
So… even though my initial thoughts were that this sample might actually be able to double as BOTH my 1st prototype AND my “Gorilla Sample“, this idea was derailed by this mishap. RATS!! As a result, I’ll in fact be making a “Gorilla sample” next because the process of actually carrying a prototype for an extended period of time to evaluate its merits & flaws is vital to my process of pattern development. So please stay tuned for that!
And now, it’s YOUR turn!
What comments might you have about this first sample made up in actual fabric? Do you like what you see so far? And do stay tuned as we continue to make adjustments and improvements to this new design. And don’t forget, we love reading your comments and answering your questions too, so please feel free to leave either or both in the space provided below.
Check out the best sewing pins with me on Pinterest, join in on discussions or show off your work in our FaceBook Group, or get your daily sewing fix on our Facebook Business Page or get behind the scenes scoops on Instagram, and be the 1st to know about new patterns, discount codes and sample sales by signing up for our monthly newsletter.
