86: the weekend

Well, I guess I should say "The Weekender", since I don’t really have anything to share about this weekend except that I’m sick.  Boo hoo, me.  Seriously, though, it sucks.  I haven’t been this sick in a while.  But Aurora rebounded fast so I’m hoping to be better before I know it.

 

I spent some of this week working on this big consignment sale I take part in twice a year.  It rocks.  I probably should have told you before it was over, but if you live in the area you should check it out next time.  I usually consign some stuff (a ton of work to get it all together, but this time I got rid of a lot of stuff and made more than I spent!) and volunteer so I can shop first.  It’s very well run and there’s a TON of great clothes and toys.  I kept buying dresses for Aurora that she totally didn’t need, but for $3 who can pass them up?

Anyway, this is my version of The Weekender bag by Amy Butler.  It’s a little misshapen since I made it a while ago and it’s been crammed full several times.  For me this is totally not a weekend bag.  More like a good overnight bag.  Even then I can barely fit everything in.  But I’m an overpacker.

 

I must say, I did NOT enjoy sewing this bag.  It’s not fun at all.  It’s somewhat difficult, but as I feel I’m a pretty accomplished sewer, it wasn’t so much that it was hard to follow or anything, it just took a lot of work.  It’s really the cording that does it.  It’s hard to get it in the first time and I think most people have to go back and stitch it again to prevent other unsightly stitching from showing.  I felt like I was making the bag smaller and smaller!  Of course, in the end I love how it looks.  Just another case of suffering for beauty. 

But I doubt I’ll make another.

 

What did you guys do this weekend?  Hope it was a good one…

 

JT

Comments

[amyehodge]

I have now made two of those bags and I completely agree. I found the second one much easier because I had by then obtained the welting foot for doing the piping. I can't believe instructions call for using the zipper foot, because it was like trying to screw in a phillips head screw with a flat-head screwdriver. The welting foot made it SO much easier.

I went to the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Show this weekend, and cleaned the grill. Woo hoo -- summer food!

[Nichole]

i am glad to hear your thoughts on that bag. i have been eye-ing the pattern for awhile. i might just hold off a bit longer. it is super cute, but i'm not sure if i am up for putting in all that effort to make a overnight bag.

[Sandy]

I made this bag too and yes, it was not fun to make. I also agree that it is definitely not a weekend bag - more like a bag that you can take with you on a plane. Here is mine on flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7230734@N05/2077389919/in/set-72157603342423608/

[Nikki]

I feel you, I have yet to try an Amy Butler bag that was fun to sew. I made the high street messenger bag and didn't even use it for a year. It was such a pain in the rear to make, I didn't even want to look at it!

[Blakely]

I'm an overpacker also, and I have always thought this bag looked small for a weekend trip. THanks for letting me know.

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

Interesting to hear your critique - I hadn't looked that close at the pattern, but now I see that I wouldn't do it! :) I edit projects by difficulty, if I know it will be too frustrating . . . I hope you are feeling better!

[Stacey]

It is beautiful though! SOrry it was a pain to sew. I have heard that before as well.

I have wanted to amke one forever....just haven't because many have NOT enjoyed sewing it! :)

[whitney]

Good to know - about the weekender bag. I have always wanted to sew that one. But I can't handle such a frustrating project right now. And I am an over packer too, so maybe I will have to look for something bigger... But yours looks great!

[Paula]

Quite an ambitious undertaking. It does look wonderful, but I appreciate the comments by the other equally ambitious sewers. I;ll just admire all of these from afar.

I cleaned out my closet. Oh it felt so good.

[Patti]

Thank you so much for the honest opinion. I, too, have been considering making this bag. But I was somewhat suspicious of the pattern. Some of Amy Butler's patterns are easy, others, not so clear directions.