PPC31: All About the Gorilla

So…

I was pleased enough with our prototype sample (which I showed to you in our last post), that I felt confident going forward by making the gorilla sample… the sample I’ll carry for a while just to see if I like it?… and is the size good?… and does it hold all the stuff I think it should?… and is the shape holding up well when the bag is fully loaded… that is, do we need to change the positioning of the inner stabilizers at all?

Are all of these things a big deal?
Well yeah… which makes this a VERY important part of this round!

And here’s how it went!

Here’s two views of the Bag Front. It features a very deep front pouch pocket which snaps shut via a magnetic snap with a reassuring “click”. I like to place my phone out here because its secure yet easy to hear! I ‘m satisfied with this front area BUT, I need to fortify the top circular edge of this Pouch, as it seems flimsy and ripply.

And here’s a few side views you might enjoy. First of all, this bag has a smaller silhouette than that of our popular Sling Along, BUT, due to its shape & silhouette, it can actually hold as much or MORE than the Sling Along design.

And if you’ll notice, there are a total of FIVE D-rings used in this design, which makes it quick and totally easy to just move the straps in order to carry this bag as a shoulder bag, a one-armed sling bag AND as a back pack (by adding a 2nd strap)!

and to finish up…

here’s a couple of shots of me carrying this bag as a shoulder bag (at left), & as a one-armed sling bag (at right). It’ll give you a good idea of size, which I’m quite satisfied with.

So… what’s left to change? First off… I’d like for the top corners of the Front Pouch and the Expander to line up perfectly… and that’s a relatively easy fix. Most of the other changes involve the use (or non-use) of internal stabilizer elements (such as interfacing or foam stabilizer)… in particular in the circular top edge of the Front Pouch, which definitely needs a boost!.

And now, it’s YOUR turn!

I’d love to know what you think of this design thus far. What do you like about it? And what are the features you still wish it had? 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.

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 the behind the scenes scoops on Instagram! And don’t forget to check out our video tips & tricks on our You Tube Channel and be the 1st to know about new patterns, discount codes and sample sales by signing up for “Bag Making is Fun”, our bi-monthly newsletter.

Kat