Ever had a challenge put to you, that you were unsure you could manage, one of those that plays on your mind, that you should crack on with, but you keep putting it off… well I have to admit the Island Batik September challenge was one of those moments!
I have made a few bags, but not one so advanced as this…
ByAnnie has generously provide all the Island Batik Ambassadors with a pattern and all the necessary hardware to make a bag of my choice!
There were so many to choose from, and all really practical and useful, I finally decided on the Round Trip Duffle Bag… thinking next time I go away for the weekend, Il be prepared 🙂
I chose the stunning Spiral Surf, Feather in Mauve, and Peacock Waterfall from the Fancy Feathers collection, and Branch in Blue from the Blenders collection
With all the pieces laid out in front of me and 10 pages of instructions, I was ready to begin make a cup of tea…
I began working my way through the step by step instructions, which are really clearly written, even a bag novice like myself could get my head around them
I cut and quilted all the pieces, and was loving the fabrics combo I had chosen. (blues and purples are my favourite). The pattern also comes with REALLY handy printable labels for each piece, which I strongly recommend using, this keeps everything in order.
SOOOOOOOO many pieces right?!!! and they just keep coming!
Lots of straps are needed for this bag, so I would recommend an ‘Easy loop turner’ makes this process a breeze. I love adding the metal catches, I think it starts to make the bag feel like its coming together
Pockets were up next, I love a bag with lots of pockets, and this one has 9 (Cool huh!) and a really useful trolley sleeve which slips over the handles on your suitcase/trolley
The front and back were created next, along with the centre panel.
I was getting excited by this point, and all my worries of not being able to do it, were disappearing – I almost had a bag in front of me! Your patterns are genius ByAnnie.
I used Aurifil thread and Schmetz needles to create this bag, and they were amazing considering the layers I was sewing through.
Joining the final pieces of the bag and binding the inside, was made so much easier with the help of my Hemline Gold quilting clips
And with that my bag was complete… here is the inside
Drum roll…
Here is my finished weekend bag, I’m really pleased with out it turned out, and I can seriously recommend ByAnnie patterns
Huge thanks to Island batik, ByAnnie, Aurifil, Schmetz for supplying me with the accessories to create my bag for the September challenge, and my amazing Brother sewing machine – we did it!!
A few more photos, just in case you just cant get enough of this super gorgeous bag 🙂
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Have a lovely weekend
Michelle x
Michelle aka Creative Blonde 