Pattern Description: "Bags and Accessories: A Bag fits laptop computer measuring 10" x 14"; B Messenger Bag; C Tote (for game system); D Bag fits laptop computer measuring 10"x11"; E Case (for cell phone); F Case (for personal music player); G Case (for camera)."
I made view D, resized and greatly simplified, to use as a laptop sleeve.
Pattern Sizing: One size. The specified laptop measurements are not correct unless you're counting on substantial extra space for power cords, etc. The laptop I used this for is 9"x13" and the bag would have been too big for it in both dimensions, even though it's supposed to be for 10"x11".
I would suggest laying the laptop down on the pattern, with one corner of the laptop lined up to one of the indented corners of the bag piece (stitching line, not cutting line!), and then putting any other items you might want next to it. Then you can see how much space there will be. I'd leave at least some ease-- here I used 1/2" in each dimension.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? As much as could be expected, given my changes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't use them a whole lot, but they mostly looked fine, although they do jump around some for the views other than A.
What bothers me, though, is that it looks like there was some confusion during the design process about what sorts of padding and stiffening to use and what to call them. On the back of the envelope, it says you need "flap interfacing (canvas)," "bag interfacing (fleece)," and "padding (stiff nonfusible interfacing)." Meanwhile, the instructions mention canvas for the bag piece, while the bag pattern piece itself says to cut one piece of fleece.
My guess is, they meant the main bag pieces to be backed with fleece, and the flap with canvas (whether this is hair canvas or regular canvas isn't made clear); then you make a stiffening piece -- out of what they call the "padding" -- that gets stuck in between the shell and lining. I don't know about you, but I'd call the fleece the padding and the stiffening piece the interfacing, since it's made out of interfacing....
What did you particularly like... The bags have a nice box shape with sewn corners, and the overall structure is very simple. It was useful for my intended purpose.
or dislike about the pattern? The sizing issue -- I like Kwik Sew 3355 (which is, unfortunately, OOP) better in that regard, since it gives all three dimensions AND tells you how to resize the pattern. But this pattern does have some other features (straps, inside pockets) that some may want and that the KS lacks.
Fabric Used: Quilting cotton. I got the bag, lining, flap, and facing pieces out of one yard, and was still able to match the print and avoid a small stain on the fabric, although I did make the case significantly smaller -- the original size likely wouldn't have fit.
I then realized that the facings aren't needed if you self-line the bag, so I threw those out. (If you do use a different lining fabric, the facings will keep you from seeing any of it at the top of the bag.)
Pattern Alterations... I removed 2 3/8" of width, 3/4" of length, and 3/8" of depth (along each side and bottom seam, resulting in a total of 3/4" when sewn together) from each relevant piece. The one exception was the flap -- I removed only 3/8" of length instead of 3/4" from that, to try to keep its length in more or less the same proportion to the rest of the bag as on the original.
or any design changes you made: My goal with this was to make a sleeve that would sit vertically inside another bag, keep foreign objects off/out, and let the laptop be taken out and put back in quickly, without adding much weight. Therefore, I left off most of the design details: the strap, the inside pockets, the stiffening piece, and (as of right now) the closures. I may add closures later, but they might not be essential given how the case will be used.
Also, instead of the regular fleece and canvas called for by the pattern, I used fusible fleece to back the bag and flap pieces, since I had it on hand and it's easy to use.
Would you sew it again? I might, for some device of a different size.
Would you recommend it to others? Yes, if you can get past the interfacing/fleece/canvas naming chaos, and don't need to rely on their sizing information. Other than that, it seems to be a decent pattern. The inside pockets do look like a potentially nice feature, and everything's put together in a reasonable way.
Conclusion: The dislikes I've mentioned would keep me from recommending this to a true beginner. However, it's pretty rectilinear so not too difficult to resize (and it's pretty likely you'd need to do this anyway, given the variety of laptops). The actual construction works well. |
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I have this pattern and so am glad to have the opportunity of learning from your experience. It's a very cute bag you have created. I seriously think you should offer your excellent critical skills (reading, writing, sewing) as a freelance consultation service to these pattern companies.
12/16/11 12:27 PM
I knew there had to be a pattern out there for all these devices. Thanks for pointing it out and reviewing it.
12/16/11 1:02 PM
Very nice case..I di wonder if the pattern was made several years ago before these items shrunk dramatically..ran into the same thing with my Kindle!
12/16/11 1:09 PM
You did a great job matching the pattern on the flap to the front of the bag. It's interesting about the mix up with the interfacing/padding.
12/16/11 2:51 PM
Laptops have sleeves?? ;/
12/16/11 2:58 PM
Very helpful review! Thanks Margaret...this is why I *bought* a laptop bag last time. Now I can use your review to help my aging mental processes :-)
12/16/11 3:40 PM
Very nice! Your alterations look so precise.
12/16/11 4:47 PM
Great review and a very good looking bag. I really like the green you chose.
12/17/11 8:27 AM
Well done! Very nice fabric print matching.
12/17/11 1:07 PM
Thanks, everyone! Jan, I think the pattern has been around for a while and yes, it does look like the phone and mp3 player in particular may be kind of big (at least compared to current non-smart-phones). Fortunately it's not terribly difficult to resize, although it would have been nice if they'd included instructions for that.
12/17/11 4:12 PM
You write the best reviews, and I agree with Renren 100%! Your case has turned out JUST RIGHT with your alterations, and I especially appreciate the detailed photo of same. :o)
12/17/11 6:06 PM