So…
if it seems to you as though there’s been more “preliminary” samples than is normal for us when we start a new pattern, then you would be RIGHT!
Because so far there have been TWO prototypes and for the very first time ever… TWO gorilla samples! And you know what?
I wasn’t at all certain that this sample wouldn’t ALSO end up as an unprecedented THIRD gorilla sample!
Which partially explains why I did something else that I NEVER, EVER, do with a true sample…
I used a fabric that has already
been featured in an earlier pattern!
(“Moonlight Plume” by Chong-A Hwang for Timeless Treasures)
That’s because there were STILL quite a few changes that needed to be made with this sample,
and I wasn’t at all sure that this sample wouldn’t also end up on the gorilla sample pile!
As it turns out though, I’m pretty happy with the how the design elements are working together now,
which makes this sample a “keeper”!
I’m finally happy with the angle of the Flap and also the volume I added to the bottom of the Pouch area.
This bag has enough size that it can easily accommodate a standard sized wallet, a pair of reading glasses,
your smart phone and several incidental personal items.
And, since I brought back the Zipper Extenders for this sample, (read why I excluded this last time by clicking here), I like the way the Flap opens more freely now! I also like the additional volume available in the bottom area of the Pouch, and there’s also a good deal of storage in the deep, back, zippered pocket… perfect in fact for a cell phone, a passport and several smallish cosmetic items!
So in conclusion, you might remember that I was primarily thinking about a smaller “sling-style” bag when I initially set about working on this design. And now I’m finally happy with the Flap angle, the bag size and the way the pattern pieces all fit and mesh together. I also like that this bag can also be carried as a shoulder-style bag!
There still are however, some bulky type issues at the top corners that I’ll try to resolve in the next sample. They don’t affect the functionality of this bag but it did cost me a couple of broken needles so I need to fix this! Short of this, I’m ready to start cranking out some more samples, making some step drawings, and creating a permanent set of pattern template sheets, which all means that I’m well on the way now to eventually making this design my next new pattern… the 1st of 2024!
And now, it’s YOUR turn!
I’d love to know what you think of this design thus far. Does this bag seem like one you might enjoy carrying? And if you have comments you’d like to share, suggestions you’d like to make, or questions you’d like to ask about this design in general or this sample in specific, please feel free to leave either or both in the space provided below.
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