Charlie Convertible Backpack

Didja notice? It hasn't even been two weeks since I posted last. Woohoo! Haha.

I'm happy to report that I tested another bag for Erin Gilbey of Dog Under My Desk. It's a pleasure to test her patterns, because she does such a great job that there's very little tweaking to do. It's been a while, but that happens when one is busy with a newborn baby. Erin had the baby, not me. Just to clarify. ;-P 

Okay, Grandma G... quit being silly and introduce the pattern! It's the Charlie Convertible Backpack, named after that brand new baby boy. The "convertible" part means that it's an on-the-shoulder tote that can quickly become a crossbody bag or a backpack, all by a slick move with the straps. It's unbelievably easy to adjust! But that's Erin for you... she's a design genius! 

Here's my Charlie in shoulder mode:

In backpack mode:

I don't have a photo of it in crossbody mode, but it's just a matter of lengthening out the tote straps using the sliders.

It can hold a lot of stuff, as shown by my lovely bottom. (There was some discussion in the tester group about our bottoms. Heehee.) The bottom is 14" wide by 5" deep, and the bag itself is 12½" tall.

It closes snugly at the top with a zipper.

The interior has a generous-sized zipper pocket...

... and a divided slip pocket, pleated for lots of room.

As I was in between cataract surgeries for most of the sewing of this bag, I think I managed to sew fairly straight, even though my vision was somewhat wonky. I was thrilled that my rivets came out even, too... on the first try. :)

Here's the back:

I love this bag, and if I were into carrying big bags myself, I'd make another one. This one is going to Courtney's mom, and she selected the fabrics from some options I gave her. No, they're not Jess's designs this time. The prints (quilting cotton) were gifted to me by a very generous friend whom I've never met, and the gold solid is a canvas I had on hand.

The pattern is another DUMD winner! Every construction detail is covered, with step-by-step instructions and actual photos to show what's going on. People are always asking bag designers for videos these days, but I assure you, a video is not necessary with this or any of Erin's patterns.

If you're interested in purchasing, you can get the pattern here, and it is at a discount price through Sunday, August 29th!

 

Piper ID Holder

Hi to anybody that still takes the time to check this ol’ blog! I’m sorry for the long absence. I simply haven’t been sewing for a while. I did finally do another pattern test last week, and now that the pattern has launched, I can show you. This will be a quick post for two reasons: 1) The project was a very quick sew, and 2) I’m in between cataract surgeries and my eyes are driving me crazy! I don’t see right with my glasses or without. Only 4 days to go till I get the second eye done, though - yay! It’s been a long almost-6 weeks. 

This latest test was once again for Linds Handmade Designs. It’s the Piper ID Holder. Easy to make, even for a beginner, and would be handy for any occasion where you need to have your ID available. (Think school days coming up quickly!)

The fabric I used is quilt cotton from the Typography line designed by Jess (aka How About Orange) several years ago for Cloud9 Fabrics.

The cute little pouch can be used with a lanyard, a wristlet strap, or on its own just to stick in one’s pocket or purse. It zips at the top, so it can hold coins, a chapstick or any other small item, and the ID goes in a separate pocket with a clear vinyl window.

The pattern calls for an optional breakaway clasp for the lanyard. It was suggested in the tester group that a snap would work, so I tried it, but I don’t recommend doing that, as it doesn’t pull apart like it needs to.

So there you have it! The Piper ID Holder can be purchased here, and if you see this post in time, it along with everything else in the shop is on sale through tonight! As always, there is a video tutorial, and there are SVG cut files if you have a cutting machine.

I’m into another pattern test already, so I’ll go get busy on that, as eyes permit. 🤓