Wednesday, November 6, 2013

My Amy Butler Weekender Travel Bag!

This bag took me 3 days to complete! That is a lot of time for a bag, but it was so worth it...


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I used Fort Firefly by Birch Fabrics, Sweet Things, linen, and corduroy. *Squeal* I just love Fort Firefly. I quilted the main panels with straight stitching using Aurifil thread. I also added feet to the bottom panel.


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This is, by far, the most difficult bag I have made. The pattern is great, but I used corduroy. There are areas in this bag where the sandwich is 4 layers of corduroy, 2 layers of batting, and 2 layers of quilting weight cotton. Yowzer!


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It was like pushing Godzilla through my sewing machine! All the while blindly trying to avoid a layer of peltex and piping. I spent two hours attaching the 2 main panels to the top panel. Surprisingly, I didn't make many mistakes, but I stitched sooo slowly. I sewed through all these layers using my zipper foot with my fingers within millimeters of the sewing needle. Yes, my slow stitching saved my fingers from becoming fingers with holes!


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I'm in love with this bag! *seriously*

Some tips:
  1. Use a heavy duty needle.
  2. Change your heavy duty needle midway through the project!
  3. Use strong thread. Aurifil 50wt continually broke. Guttermann worked well for this project.
  4. Go slow, slow, slow.
  5. I reinforced the bag by stitching over the corners twice. There seems to be a lot of stress in the corners.
  6. Use Wonder Clips.

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I hope I motivated you to try making this bag!


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Happy Stitching,

30 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful! well done for persisting throguh the coudory.
    E

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  2. Here from Needle & Thread! This is so very, very cute. Love all the fabric choices.

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  3. Looks great!!! I have been wanting to make one of these but I have heard they are super difficult to make.

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    1. Thank you! The bag isn't easy, for sure, but I hope you give it a try.

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  4. This looks amazing, I am seriously impressed. Great tips, especially the slow slow slow. I get so excited about projects I tend to rush a little even though I know that slow and steady wins the day!

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    1. Thank you! I'm a rusher too, but I was using my favorite fabric. So, I slowed way down. I don't want to mess up my favorite stash!

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  5. Great Job! It looks great and I love the corduroy. I can imagine your Godzilla reference. I had a similar situation once and my daughter help me control the beast down while I sew.

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    1. Wow, two people muscle-ing fabric through a machine! Haha, that sounds like a great story there!

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  6. Gorgeous! Love the corduroy...nice touch.

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  7. Well done.It`s absolutely wonderful!!

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  8. Great fabric selection! I've known several people who've made this bag, and every time I hear that comment about how many layers, I know it's not something I want to attempt. Kudos for using corduroy too!

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  9. Just lovely!!! I cut out all my pieces this week and tomorrow I start to sew...hope mine turns out half as nice!

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  10. Love the corduroy! The bag turned out great...not sure I have it in me to spend 3 days making a bag! =)

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  11. This is such a beautiful bag! I love the shape of it, and the fabrics you used are so pretty!

    Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  12. I love your choice of fabrics and the result is just fantastic!

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  13. I am in awe! It turned out great! That fabric line isn't one I would normally gravitate to, but every time I see something made from it, I love it!! The corduroy was a great choice, too!

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  14. You are braver than I am and your results are super! I have only made one bag, not nearly as complicated, and felt glad to have finished it. :-) Well done!

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    1. Thank you! I'm not really that brave. I was testing the limits of my sewing machine. It barely passed. :)

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  15. The bag turned out wonderfully and I agree the fabric is great! Thanks for the tips. I figured this would be a bear but well worth it. It is on my short list of bags to make. Thanks again and great job!

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    1. Yes, this bag is a bear, but well worth it. Enjoy making it! Thank you for stopping by.

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  16. I have heard of the tediousness of this bag and when it is finished as you said it is fabulous. It looks to be strong and sturdy and has lots of great compartments. I need to make myself a diaper bag so don't know if this pattern would do. Also, I don't know if I am ambitious enough to try it out! lol

    I love,love the fabric you specifically chose for your weekender bag!

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    1. Thank you! In my opinion, this would not be a good diaper bag. It is too deep and too stiff. A diaper bag should be shorter so it's easier to find your keys and that bottle. Also, a diaper bag should be softer and a bit floppy because your baby will be carried next to it. That's just my opinion though.

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  17. That is just the most perfect Weekender!!! I LOVE the Fort Firefly, linen and corduroy mix! it's just brilliant!! I now really need that fabric.

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    1. Thank you so much! When I bought Fort Firefly, I knew I needed to do something special with it. I love that fabric. The Amy Butler bag was a perfect fit. Thanks for visiting!

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  18. My mom and I started this bag with my grandmother's ancient sewing machine. It has yet to be finished. Mom was of the opinion that the old girl couldn't handle it. Too much fabric and too much stress on the girl. I think one of my resolutions for the year is to finish it - although I think I want to start over with material that I actually like. (we were using some gold and cream material we had at the house. If I'm going to give it that much time and effort, it needs to be something I love).

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