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.

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Kat

24 Comments

  1. Don the Bag Dude on April 10, 2024 at 5:56 am

    Super. You’ve got it going on with this one.



    • Kat on April 10, 2024 at 6:01 am

      Somehow I knew you’d like this one! 😀 But I sure am glad you do!



  2. Beth on April 10, 2024 at 7:59 am

    Bravo! Great design!



    • Kat on April 10, 2024 at 8:15 am

      Thanks Beth- I like carrying this bag and I hope you do as well! 🙂



  3. Kris on April 10, 2024 at 8:10 am

    This looks super! Really like the size and shape. Would like the option to use foam stabilizer.



    • Kat on April 10, 2024 at 8:15 am

      Foam stabilizer is great and I doubt this bag would work at ALL without it! 🙂



  4. Sharon on April 10, 2024 at 8:42 am

    I like it. I would probably use the zipper side for my phone. It seems like it could get lost at the bottom of the snap side if you had other things in there as well.



    • Kat on April 10, 2024 at 8:50 am

      That’ll work because its just a preference thing! Thanks for commenting
      🙂



  5. Gail Peters on April 11, 2024 at 4:53 am

    Love the fabric. What line is it? I might have to make yet another bag.



    • Kat on April 11, 2024 at 5:39 am

      I love it too. I actually used it the first time on our ErgoMatic pattern (seen HERE) and also on our Bella BiFold pattern, HERE. It’s from the Treasures of Alexandria collection by Robert Kaufman. It’s got some age on it now though, but you still might find some. 🙂



  6. Mary-Lou Wightman on April 15, 2024 at 7:23 am

    I”m loving it! How wide is the bottom? I’m thinking my camera might fit in there nicely if I’m out for a walk looking to take some pictures!



    • Kat on April 15, 2024 at 10:52 am

      Well… this design is still in the development stage. We’re not quite ready to pronounce it as fully realized yet. we’re still finalizing this particulars, but I’d say it is roughly 2.5 inches wide at the base. Some of the volume you see on the exterior is space within that exterior pouch on the Front.
      🙂



  7. Chris on April 15, 2024 at 8:04 am

    I like this design. Is it still in development? Or is it available?



    • Kat on April 15, 2024 at 10:53 am

      Thanks for writing Chris. Yes- this design is still in development. You can read much more about it and see many more pictures by clicking the link associated with it. 🙂 I’m glad to hear you like it!



  8. Charlene Samanich on April 15, 2024 at 11:09 am

    It looks great! What kind of features do you have on the inside? Can you post some pictures of the inside?



    • Shumidog on April 15, 2024 at 3:19 pm

      I had the same question. Right now, I’m using a purse with a front pocket I can use instead of carrying a wallet. I find it both lighter and more efficient. Not everyone would use this option, but it, and other variations to the inside of the purse, could be offered to this and other designs. Thanks



      • Kat on April 15, 2024 at 5:50 pm

        I really haven’t fleshed out too many options to the inside just yet. There’s a very roomy Pouch pocket on the Bag Front and a nice zippered pocket on the Bag Back. But do stay tuned because that’s next on my list! 🙂



    • Kat on April 15, 2024 at 5:46 pm

      Good question Charlene. This particular sample has no interior features. In the beginning I just concentrate on the exterior and getting the pattern pieces to match up. I’m going to try an interior zippered pocket, perhaps on the next sample. 🙂



      • Charlene Samanich on April 15, 2024 at 7:03 pm

        I guess I’m just anxious and jumping ahead…I’ll try to be more patient like my cats…oh no, they are not either, LOL.



        • Kat on April 15, 2024 at 8:04 pm

          I like that this design seems exciting though! I really like it and I’m glad you do too! 🙂



  9. Pat Ross on April 16, 2024 at 6:48 am

    I really like this one, can’t wait till it’s available



    • Kat on April 16, 2024 at 10:34 am

      Thank you! I can’t wait to show you more! 🙂



  10. Barb Flowers on April 16, 2024 at 8:13 am

    I think you have a winner here. I like a bag large enough to hold my slim wallet, phone and hard plastic eye glass holder. It will be interesting to see how the inside develops. Good work lady.



    • Kat on April 16, 2024 at 10:35 am

      I so appreciate your kind words Barb! 🙂