I feel a like I have been sitting on this on a while and it's because I really dislike writing this as a negative review. However I have to be honest in my opinions because that's what I would want from a review.
With that said perhaps I'll do a pros and cons list of this pattern and let you decide if it's worth the purchase.
Pros:
- I like the curve of the bag, very classic look like a high end Louis Vuitton or Dooney Burke, Coach, really a lot of high end designers have used this curve.
- I like the double zipper, again this element is present in many high end bags.
- I really like the zipped inner pocket and the instruction was fairly clear. Again high end bags use this technique.
- The materials needed is very clearly listed
- Nice roomy size
Cons:
- I did not care for the look of the handles and that's just my personal opinion so I altered mine. However the way the instructions say to sew and turn the handles is a nightmare. I could not get mine to turn without a struggle so I ended up making my handles the way I knew how without the headache. There are easier ways to make handles than this...
- The inner pocket ended up too tiny for me.
- For me the long handles did not fit comfortably over the shoulder and I realize this will vary from person to person but you should never say "this will fit over your shoulder" when it's cut that close. And yes I made my handles longer per the instructions.
- I could have really done without the pages of pattern layouts
- Drawings instead of pictures, I find pictures to be worth a thousand words so the more of them the better.
Features:
- $7.00 price tag
- 9 pages of instructions
- 2 pages on how to layout your materials
- 5 pages for your pattern peices
I think the rundown for me is this is a classic bag that has been made by many designers, particularly those on the higher end. The details such as the inner zip pocket is something you find on almost every purchased handbag hanging in your closet. With that said if you are new to making bags and want to learn some new techniques for construction that will give you that professional look then this pattern may teach you a thing or two.
I felt the construction of the bag started out clean and nice but when I got to that last few steps it failed me or the pattern pieces failed me. See the last picture for the bunched up bottom corner ugh! I want to love my bag however I am frustrated that it doesn't fit over my shoulder. Now before all of you expert sewers scold me for not measuring my strap needs remember I'm thinking from the perspective of the newbie or buyer who may not know how to alter and be equally as frustrated. Also I wanted to try and follow the pattern as is. That's why I started out making the handles as described even though that is a way I found to be difficult and in this case downright impossible.
Will I make this bag again? Yes with several changes, heck I may even start over from square one.
Was it worth $7.00? Yes and No. I realize that this is not an answer but I honestly feel very on the fence about this purchase. I think the value is not $7.00, so worth buying just not at $7.00 price tag.
Thanks for reading♥ Olivia
