The final score? Me: 1, Weekender: 0
Victory is mine!!! I finished off my Weekender bag yesterday afternoon/evening, and I couldn't be happier about it. I love how it turned out, although there were definitely plenty of bumps along the way. I will probably never ever make another Weekender, but I'm really proud to have finished this bag.
Adding the zipper wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Once I sat down and truly read the directions, without a three-year-old tugging on me or asking me his thousandth question of the day, it made perfect sense.
During evil step #11, I seriously considered giving up a few times, but Megan saved the day when she texted me a handy dandy tip - use clothespins instead of pins or binder clips. That worked infinitely better while trying to sew through multiple layers of Peltex, and I was able to keep going through to the finish line.
Rather than slipstiching the lining by hand, I chose to basically topstitch the lining top panel to the exterior top panel, which worked beautifully for me. I feel like this will be much sturdier in the long run, given that I feel my hand-stitching skills are pretty weak.
This bag is all ready and set to go to the Sewing Summit now! Only problem is, now I'm thinking about making a handy-dandy laptop case to go with it! I'm linking up with Sew Modern Monday today, hop on over to find more modern finishes!
What an awesome weekender bag! I love your fabric choices as well. Hope to see the real thing at the Summit!
ReplyDeleteSuper huge congratulations going out to you!! So glad you persevered! It looks fantastic and will look even better with a coordinating laptop bag!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! I love the look of the Weekender, but have always avoided it due to all the horror stories I've heard.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm finishing up my StudioCherie duffle bag and attaching the ends is a nightmare! I think my thread has broken at least 12 times, even my Aurifil! It's b/c I'm sewing through like 6 layers of fusible fleece and 6 of fabric...the machine just doesn't want to do it. Ugh. Next, I'm trying my walking foot. If that doesn't work, I'm using my backup mechanical machine. What a pain!
Any tips?
Congratulations on completing your weekender bag, I've read (on PR) that it's not an easy pattern!
ReplyDeleteWhat fabrics did you use?
Cheers,
Tabatha
Looks fantastic! Way to go- I know you must feel great about that big finish!
ReplyDeleteYAY! good for you for conquering it! It looks awesome and you are going to love carrying it around. I'm already planning when I can use mine again.
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow! Congrats on the victory! It looks amazing :-)
ReplyDeletevery nice bag! you are going to the summit in style! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW, you did it!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous - your fabric choices were perfect!
Whoot! Whoot! You did it!!!! Yay!!! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAs usual I'm so impressed! It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIts proper gorgeous, you must be so pleased with it!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out beautiful!!! Way to go!! I am going to make one pretty soon, so wish me luck!! (I might be emailing you for support too!) :) Great work!!
ReplyDeletelooks amazing!! great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome! You're Awesome! It turned out great.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Great job! Can't wait to see it...and you. :)
ReplyDeleteBravo! Looks great. You are braver than me for even attempting it. Yay for sticking with it.
ReplyDeleteYay you did it!! Can't wait to see you carrying it at the SS... you've given me a push to get thru those final steps on my Cosmo. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic! Congrats for hanging in there & getting it done. LOVE your fabric choices. Nice.
ReplyDeleteYes! This is huge--the bag and the accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteyay, yay, yay! :) can't wait to see it in person!
ReplyDeleteoooohhh I just love it!! I'm glad to hear there's an alternative to handsewing the lining in place, I like you, am not the best handsewer (and hate it just as much :-) ) This is so super fabulous, great job!!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! The more of these I see, the more I think of jumping on the crazy train & making my own, especially since it sounds like you had an easier time with it than some of the other reviews I've seen. I'm still feeling intimidated though!
ReplyDeleteYou win! I like the tip of using clothespins, too. I've stumbled upon that recently for sewing a fabric bin.
ReplyDeletegood work elizabeth! i love the bag! i need to finish up my messenger bag! this week! also, i totally understand the 3 yr old asking the same question for the thousandth time! gotta love them!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! Thanks for sharing the clothespin tip!! Adding it to the mental how-to file!
ReplyDeleteGreat bag!
You definitely won that match. It's brilliant and you're sure to get hundreds of admiring glances and compliments!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job! It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHurray for you! The bag is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure that anyone who has tackled this (not me!), understands your feeling of great accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your weekender bag.,love love.
ReplyDeleteThis looks really great! I am so terrified of bags...I've made one, and it wasn't so easy for me! I suppose I should try again though!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I finally finished your bookshelf mini quilt!!!!
http://zubrowka24.blogspot.com/2011/09/bookshelf-mini-quilt.html
Wow, congrats on your finish! I've been eagerly watching your experience with the bag and really appreciate your sharing of your process. I've long wanted to try it but have been too intimidated.
ReplyDeleteSo would you not make another because you feel you accomplished your goal or is it for a different reason? Just curious.
Hi! Your new bag is fantastic! I love those fabrics and you have made it perfect! Would be a great set if you make a matching laptop case! Have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteWow! It came out amazing! You totally kicked its butt :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your well-won battle!
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth!! It came out just spanky!! I LOVE the fabric you chose! Now I just can't wait to meet you!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! When you finished the last stitch, did you dance around, all, "In your FACE, Weekender!" Because I would have.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed. It looks wonderful but I think it is out of my league. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks really great! Perhaps reading the account of how you wrestled with the pattern should deter me, but it looks so FABULOUS, I want one too! Enjoy using it at the Sewing Summit!
ReplyDeleteGreat job love the fabric choices. I haven't made the weekender bag but a bunch of other bags from AB. Thanks for the hint about using clothes pins.
ReplyDeleteso awesome! Good for you!! These Amy Butler patterns are tricky!!!! Fabrication rather than sewing!
ReplyDeleteVery nice -- good for you!
ReplyDeleteA lovely job - well done!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Well worth persevering :)
ReplyDeleteYour bag turned out so great! I ordered fabric to make one for to take with me to the Summit too -- hopefully it will get here fast and I can get this whipped up b/c I think it is the perfect size for a carry on. It's going to be fun to see all the handmade items being toted around the hotel! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you finished it. It turned out great!! Clothespins--genius idea!! Good idea with the lining. Hand stitching was NOT fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm just rereading this after your review for Purse Palooza at Sara's & I'm considering making it even more now. I know I said this when you finished your first one, but I'm really leaning towards needing to make one! I can't wait to see your new one, and see what changes you make!
ReplyDelete