I am so excited that I can finally share the secret sewing project that I was working on in April! Sara, of Sew Sweetness, is releasing The Reisende Bag Pattern today (Yep, that’s an affiliate link… that’s some Sew Sweetness pattern money for me!!) and you can read about it and see all of the other tester bags HERE.
I really enjoyed being able to test Sara’s pattern, and this time it served the dual purpose of being a birthday gift for my oldest daughter, Megan. My youngest daughter, Callie, helped me pick out all of the fabric for her. I bought the exterior and interior print at Hobby Lobby and do not recall the name of the print or the manufacturer. I made the piping with Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Curry. It was a perfect match to the gold vinyl. The vinyl is my favorite Glitter Mirror Canvas (TM) Vinyl in Gold from MiKri World Supplies. If you ever consider working with vinyl, THIS is what you want to use!
Sara’s pattern was the most detailed I’ve done as far as hardware goes. Buckles, grommets, and rivets…Oh My! Her comprehensive instructions and pictures are done so well that making, and attaching, the straps and handles was easy. It did take more time to assemble the bag because of them, but these details really make this bag look professionally crafted and they are well worth the time it takes to add these details.
I made the small version of this bag and it finished at 14” long x 9” tall x 4” deep. Sara’s pattern also includes options for medium size (17” long x 11” tall x 5” deep) and large size (19” long x 12” tall x 5” deep) bags. The pattern features two interior zippered pockets. In the future I will add a slip pocket or two as well. I usually like a little pocket to slip my cell phone.
Megan, I hope you like your bag! Thanks for being patient about not being able to post pictures of it when I gave it to you. I love you forever and always and I can’t wait to see you again! Love, Mom.
Linking up with:
TGIFF hosted by Leanne of Devoted Quilter
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Crazy Mom Quilts
WHOOMP! There it is hosted by Zenia Rene of A Quilted Passion
Stitch ALL The Things 
Wow, that IS a fabulous bag, SO professional! I’ve never sewed with vinyl, just with laminated cotton; I imagine you need a special needle?
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Thanks!! I just use a universal 90/14 needle with this vinyl, unless I’m sewing through the vinyl and a bunch of other thicknesses (layers of interfaced fabrics, foam, piping, etc.) and then I’ll use a top-stitching needle. I didn’t need the top stitching needle for this project. Also, this vinyl is actually a canvas that has a thin vinyl coating, so it’s much thinner than regular vinyl.
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That is incredible! Wow! I could never do that!
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Thanks!! You really could… Sara’s pattern instructions are fantastic and there are tons of pictures to help you too! 😉
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It looks fantastic and how nice that it comes in different sizes!
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Thanks! I really like it when patterns come in different sizes. I may be making the traveler size next!
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Beautiful! I bet Megan loves it! You amaze me with these bags – you knock ’em out of the park every single time!
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Thanks!! Megan says she carries it all over, so I think she does love it! *whew*!
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That is a fabulous bag! Love the bling!
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Thank you!! The bling really grew on me!
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It’s gorgeous! It really does look professionally made, and the fabric makes it look very classy! I hope your daughter loves it. Thanks for linking to TGIFF this week 🙂
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Thank you very much! I think my daughter really does love it. I am glad! Thank you for hosting TGIFF. Loved those signs!!
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