Monday, August 9, 2010 at 12:21PM Weekender Bag, second edition
I know I swore I would never make this bag again, but I have a short memory when it comes to painful crafts. (See: felting.) My mom had always admired my Weekender Bag, and I got this crazy idea last fall that this would be a perfect birthday gift. I started a week before her birthday. Nine months of thinking about it and then I actually sit down to make it. I need to work on that.
I'm happy to say that this time was much, much easier than the first.
I found the fabric at Pink Chalk Studios many, many months ago, and made a separate order for the lining and binding. It's home dec fabric, so not as stiff and thick as the canvas I used to make mine, so it was a little easier to sew through.
Like I said, the whole process was a lot easier this time. I had absolutely no problem with the piping - it's a snap to make. I think they key was not pinning anything. Just sew slowly and line up your edges as you go. You'll be a lot happier that way. I did the same thing when I added the piping to the bag - no pins. Nothing bunched up or ended up getting pushed out of place.
I did make a few little modifications. I lengthed the straps by 2" each, to make it easier to slip over your shoulder, and I widened them by 1" (which, when folded over like in the pattern, only widens the strap by 1/2"). I sewed the entire strap to the front panel instead of just securing it with two little lines of stitches like the pattern says. In fact, one of the straps on my bag came off as soon as we reached my parents' house. It was apparently jealous.
So it turned out well. I managed to finish it with a day to spare, and I think she really liked it. It'll be good for traveling with her girlfriends and her next trip to Italy.
Of course, it won't be nearly as much fun without these two idiots along for the ride:
FOs, gifts, sewing, weekend bag in sewing 
Reader Comments (3)
Oh my goodness, it is gorgeous!!! I love the fabric even more this time around than the first one. And the lining... just perfect.
Love it! I bought this fabric in a slightly different colorway and dagnabit if you haven't made me want to make another Weekender! And I'm like you--that's saying something. I adore the green zipper.
usefull info, thanks for the show and especially for the information.www.replicawatchesreview.info