For Sewvivor Challenge 2, I made {another} Weekender from Amy Butler’s pattern. And once again i would LOVE to make it into the next round. If you have a second, would mind popping over to the Family Ever After blog and voting for me?
This was not an easy bag to put together. Weekenders never are. But they are completely worth it. I usually touch up by hand once its all put together, and this bag will be no exception. But all the little fussy cuts make it work!
If I were telling my best friend my tricks on how to make this bag, they would be:
- Use different needles for different tasks. Denim needles work well for sewing through a lot of layers, but using a microtex sharp needle on the bottom corners will keep you from ripping your seams (and your hair) out.
- Quilt your pieces BEFORE you cut out the pattern shapes. Otherwise, there will be a lot of distortion.
- Sew your handles down about a million times to the body of the weekender. On my first weekender, this is the only piece that came apart and it is a pain to try and go back and fix.
- When sewing the zipper panel to the body panel, sew body side up so you can see the seam that attaches the piping to the panel. Sew your new seam to the inside of that existing seam to make your piping nice and tight.
- Change your needles frequently. If they are just slightly dull or slightly bent, this bag will cause them to break. Repeatedly. Ask me how I know.
- Give the zipper plenty of space. There is no reason to hug it really close with this bag. In fact, I prefer it if there is about 1/4″ space between the zipper and the seam.
This weekender has some very special pieces of fabric in it, including a tiny scrap of Daysail from the upcoming Bonnie and Camille collection that was shared with my by a friend. Friends are the best part of sewing, I think.
This bag just reinforced my love of low volume patchwork. I think I might make an entire quilt of low volume patchwork. Someday. You know, when things aren’t busy. Will that day ever come?
I used my favorite shape of a patchwork block on the side pockets. I call it hot cross buns, but I’m sure it has a real name. Either way, this is another bucket list block. I need an entire quilt (maybe pillow) of these simple little beauties.
I made a few adjustments, mainly for the handles. The ones in the pattern are longer and narrower and this bag gets HEAVY and therefore uncomfortable. These wide, padded straps should make it easier to haul home goodies from Sample Spree.
So, now that i’m packed, i just need somewhere to go. Perhaps the upcoming Labor Day weekend will give me the opportunity to test my new bag out. I’m hoping to talk my little family into a getaway here.
Thank you for reading along! And you can vote for your favorite quilted bag here once from each internet capable device in your home. You know, just in case you feel passionately about a certain patchwork quilted weekender 😉
What a fantastic bag! Love it so much 🙂
This turned out really pretty! Thanks for the tips too! The Weekender is on my to-make list but I have heard several horror stories about how hard it is to make.
This turned out so beautiful! I already want to make this pattern so your tips are going to be ever so helpful! Thank you! Also I of course voted for your gorgeous bag! 😉
I love this bag! It makes me want to pull out my Weekender pattern and my Far Far Away fabric! In fact, maybe that’s what I will do…
Its so pretty! Great colors and totally “you”!!! How many total weekenders have you made? Like a trillion? 🙂
Such a pretty Weekender! Love the contrast of the low vol patchwork and the pink on point patchwork. Great job!
What a gorgeous bag!!! I love the low-volume patchwork, too. And your block on the side pocket…one of my favorite blocks too!
I love this bag so much. The patchwork, the tips, and the skirt (seriously, where did you find it???) just make this awesome for me. My cousin, and absolute best friend, said you were her favorite (after mine – she’s loyal that way). Amazing work!!!!
Ps. I voted for you too. 🙂
Super sweet bag Amanda. Love low volume too. can’t get enough of it! Good luck with round 2 🙂
Love your bag! Voted for you 🙂
I loved your bag Amanda (and I voted for you). i’ve got to say I also loved your skirt with those boots. I pinned it!
I voted for you. Best one!!
It really is lovely. All the color wash fussy blocks are great. I like that the handles are more sturdy as well. And, I voted for it 🙂
HI, i sure voted for your bag! It”s the prettiest one!
Cheering for you !
So I have a question. If I wanted to make a cute quilted weekender bag like yours and I wanted to buy a bundle of new fabric, would a fat eighth bundle be enough, or would a I need to get a fat quarter bundle? I love your bag!
Wow that is so pretty!! I just love your colours and prints!!
I have a secret tip for you about this bag. Shh don’t tell anyone…. Use a continuos zip with two pulls that join in the middle. This makes the bag much easier to access while traveling about. You can open the top a little for quick access or open all the way to get to everything!! I’ve made several this way now and love it!!