Pattern Review: Sidekick Sling Bag by Betz White (part 1)

I purchased this pattern to make bags to donate to Craft for Hope's Project #16: Bags & Beanies for kids receiving cancer treatment in MN.

Here's how I thought her pattern measured up on my very first try.

 The pattern comes with clear instructions on materials needed, fabric suggestions, a basic stitch guide, and other intuitive info that are helpful when sewing this bag.

It has just two pieces that need added to a template you can make yourself like I did.
I used some scrap printer paper and added the curved pieces to the top making sure to mark one side FRONT/exterior and the backside BACK/interior.  You can use freezer paper or even parchment paper.

She warns against flipping the pattern and at first I wasn't sure why.  It later becomes apparent that you are creating identical pieces that will mirror each other.

Trust me, don't flip your pattern till she says too :)

If you're working with a print, like I was, make sure you can line up evenly the pattern you want visible on the bag.  No half-severed fishes here!

You can either pin your pattern or...

hold it down and trace around it with a fabric pen.

I found tracing around the pattern to be faster and easier to cut out than leaving the pattern pinned into the fabric.

Betz's pattern calls for 3/4 yards of both Main and Interior fabric.  This is MORE than enough fabric to account for a boo-boo or two so don't fret if you have a bad cut.  Sometimes patterns call for just enough fabric while others leave room for error.  Use good judgement, measure twice and cut carefully!

The interfacing was a toss up.  There are literally about 10 different kinds of interfacing you can choose from.  The pattern calls for 100% cotton woven interfacing, but I asked Betz directly what she used.  It's called Pellon SF101.  I ended up using the Pellon 950F and it seems to have done just fine.

When you do your interfacing (this was thought of AFTER I'd finished the bag) I would advise to cut the interfacing either 1/4" to a 1/2" smaller than the actual pattern.

You'll notice in the picture I'm cutting the interfacing right up to the edge.

When you reach the "Sew Exterior Bag" step you may find that the interfacing can make for some bulky, stiff seams if you've ironed on your interfacing all the way to the edge.  By cutting it slightly shorter you can ease some of the bulk out of the actual seams which makes sewing the exterior bag portion much easier.

This small adjustment does not seem to alter the quality or durability of the bag as I've made 2 more cutting the interfacing a bit smaller.
It could also be that the interfacing I choose was simply too stiff.
You will have plenty of interfacing leftover, in fact you'll have enough to almost do 2 bags out of the 1 3/4yds needed.

 Following the rest of the instructions was easy to do and they flowed naturally.  No step seemed out of place.



(adding the magnetic snaps)


(sewing the exterior bag together)

Part 2 coming Wednesday!

**Please respect the Artist! All of Betz White's Patterns are for non-commercial use only and are not to be made and sold.**