Though simple, the Kwik Sew 3597 pattern is sophisticated in some ways I didn't expect. Instead of having rectangular pieces for the sides of the bag, the pattern pieces have subtle shaping that narrows the bag very slightly toward the upper edge. A facing piece finishes the top edge nicely.
A double interior pocket is attached beneath the facing. The upper edges of the pocket are subtly curved, which causes them to stand slightly away from the back side of the pocket, making it easy to slide items in and out.
I do have one complaint about this pattern. Though it contains three sizes of bag, they are nested together on the pattern tissue (which is a single sheet for the whole pattern). Cutting out the small or the medium would destroy the larger sizes. It hardly seems fair to make the sewer trace the smaller sizes, since this pattern goes for the same price as more complicated Kwik Sews. Could they not see their way clear to providing another half a sheet of pattern paper?!
Other than that, great pattern, wonderful instructions and a nicely-finished basic product.
This fabric is a misprinted Sunbrella-type knock off. I wish I had interfaced it, but I was again striving to test the simplest methods for making the bag. With just one layer of fabric, it's not very rigid, so it doesn't stand up on its own. But I love the colors in this piece--so autumnal!
It is very nice...the fabric is lively and very Autumn :) Tell me, do you find the handles falling off when you wear the bag? I know that when I use these kind of styles of bags, well, they tend to fall off my shoulder too easily :(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mrs. B! Yes, indeed I do have troubles with straps slipping off the shoulders. I have narrow shoulders and pretty much anything other than a crossbody style slips off. The straps on this bag are vinyl and they will probably be especially slick (they are nice and cushy, though). I haven't actually used the bag yet, so I can't give a user report.
DeleteVery cute! I bet those internal pockets are super useful. Very clever how the openings stand slightly away xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Zoe! I thought that was clever too, and also wondered why I had never thought of it myself.
DeleteIt sounds like this was thoughtfully drafted--so nice to see in a simple tote. I think you will be carrying this a ton!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trena. It is beautifully drafted. Sadly I don't actually think I will carry it a lot, since it is kind of floppy. I want to make the small size in a stiffer fabric with interfacing. That would be more useful!
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