Studio Kat Designs: Baggalista (Baggalista) - Type:Accessories
Review submitted in Handbag Contest Contest  | | Viewed 170 times
| | Review rated Helpful by 1 people Very Helpful by 4 people | | Reviewed by: | maenad | 
 | | About maenad | | TX USA | | Member since: 9/5/04 | | Reviews written: 10 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | patterns reviewed: 8 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 2/7/13 10:42 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | Pattern Info provided by maenad | | Pattern Rating: | Highly Recommend | | | | Fabric: | Cotton - Quilting [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| Pattern Description:
A 9-1/2" X 9" X 4" purse with five zippered storage areas, four interior storage pouches, a large zipper back pocket, and an adjustable strap that allows it to be carried cross body or over the shoulder. The flap allows for multiple embellishment ideas.
Pattern Sizing:
One size.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
I find Kathy's instructions to be very easy to follow. That said, they are very detailed and require you to read ahead and follow all the steps in order. StudioKat Designs is known for their detailed bag patterns, and she is upfront about the reality that her bags are not for the first time sewer, or someone looking for a quick and easy project. She has included some additional pictures and help for some of the steps on her website. My biggest problem with this pattern was that I was cutting out at night when my kids were home and I forgot to cut some of the pieces out as many times as was required, which did cause some confusion when I got to that step in the pattern. However this was easily remedied by looking at the chart in the beginning of the instructions which says "cut this many of lining, cut this many of interfacing, etc.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked being able to confirm some of the newer techniques on her website with her additional photos. It's always nice to know you are on the right track. I like using soft and stable as a purse interfacing. It is a foam product that you stitch right into the purse -- it's easy to work with and really gives the bag a nice structure. The flaps and front and back are lined with the foam product, and most of the exterior of the bag is interfaced with Pellon Craft Fuse, or fusible fleece. The magnet closures with the invisible sew in magnets are really cool. You can order them from her or a few other sources on the internet. I was amused to see that a quilting shop in my area that carries this pattern had a sample out, and they had NOT done the magnet insertion correctly, but I didn't have any trouble with that piece when I followed Kathy's directions.
Fabric Used:
I used quilting batiks, and a heavyweight linen from here The linen was a little stretchier than I thought it would be, and I would add some lightweight interfacing to make it more stable if I use it again. I also found a new source for purse hardware Buckleguy.com His stuff is really nice, and solid. I'm really happy with the fabric choices. The linen adds a little texture, and the batik goes really well with it. I think the bag could go out on the town very easily with this color combination.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I did not alter this pattern.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I would sew this again. I would recommend this pattern for someone who has some bag making experience and is good at following directions. It is definitely not a beginner pattern. You also need a machine that can handle all the layers in this pattern. I stitched this on my straight stitch Juki 2010. My older Bernina would not have handled these layers very well. There are parts of this bag when I was sewing two layers of webbing and multiple layers of interfaced heavyweight linen, and the Juki did just fine, but I did need to go more slowly than on a typical seam.
Conclusion:
This is my entry into the handbag contest, and I will also be donating this project to my son's school for their silent auction so I hope it goes over well. I am already considering other ideas for embellishing the flap on this bag, and am mulling over several machine embroidery designs I have been stockpiling.
Here are a few more pictures of the bag
Front View
Front Flap open
Back View |
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 Pattern with more than 5 reviews!
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7 Comments
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Beautiful job on your bag. I have this pattern and better move it up on my list. Such an interesting design.
2/8/13 10:15 AM
What a fantastic bag. I love the colour
2/12/13 8:53 AM
Beautifully done. I have not used a Studio Kat design yet- but have my eye on a design she has in progress. Thanks for the great and detailed review.
2/15/13 5:53 AM
Thanks for the wonderful review...What a great bag... My DD would love this bag...
2/15/13 3:07 PM
Great job on your bag! How wonderful that you are donating it, I', sure it will do well in the auction!
2/15/13 10:32 PM
Lovely! You've inspired me to try a Kat Studio pattern.
2/21/13 11:18 AM
Beautiful job! Thank you for such a nice review! I would love to see you enter this bag in OUR handbag of the month contest! :)
2/21/13 8:09 PM