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No Pattern Used 0000 pattern review by JEF

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JEF starstarstar
NM United States
Member since 7/27/05
129 Reviews (patterns: 121)
Skill: Intermediate
Favored by 30 people


Pattern is from the Craftsy class “The Cross-Body Bag: Sewing with Waxed Canvas.” The instructor is Mariah McPherson. Although I did print out the instructions, I mostly followed along with the video class. I think there were some errors with the printed instructions - well, at least I ended up with one spare piece (directions were to cut two but I never used the second) and had another that wasn't the right size. Can't rule out it was all my fault though.

I thought this was great. I like the look of the bag and especially with the video class it was quite easy to do. That doesn’t mean I didn’t goof. Despite her very clear instructions, I sewing the lining and bag together incorrectly and had to redo it. I swear, sometimes if I weren’t making mistakes I wouldn’t even know I was sewing!

I have never used waxed canvas. It makes a bag with some structure but without all the interfacing that normally goes into a bag so it is very easy to sew. I was too impatient to wait for the waxed canvas I ordered so I bought wax at REI and waxed some duck cloth I had. My fabric is lighter in color and very likely less waxed than the one she uses in the video. I expect the is the reason my markings didn’t show up as well as hers on the video. Still, this didn’t really cause a problem.

This is a simple bag. There is a pocket folder in the bag but no zippers etc, just generally an open bag. It does fit my wallet so that is good. I goofed and bought sew-in magnetic snaps instead of the kind that have prongs to bend. My hand sewing skills are poor so next time I use the right kind of snap. The strap is cotton webbing. I used an embroidery design built into my machine on the flap.

Overall: highly recommend the class and the bag.

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6 Comments
Sharon1952 said...(1/26/25 4:25 PM ET)   
I love the simplicity of it! Good job completing an entry.
  
Litapita said...(1/23/25 4:22 PM ET)   
Beautiful bag. The embroidery is very striking. I like it a lot. And I know exactly what you mean about «unsewing». I do it consistently…
  
Mufffet said...(1/23/25 11:19 AM ET)   
That is a pretty bag! I just love the embroidery on it!! I don't even begin to know how to wax fabric!! There are upholstery fabrics you could use for this as well....lots of nice patterns!! You are making some nice and useful things! :)
  
LoveLilacs said...(1/23/25 11:19 AM ET)   
Lovely color and embroidery. Thank you for the info on waxed fabric. Kudos for doing it yourself.
  
Cupid Dog said...(1/23/25 11:18 AM ET)   
Nice embroidery. Elevates your simple bag to the special realm.
  
Nannerl said...(1/23/25 11:13 AM ET)   
What a nice little bag! Brave of you to wax the fabric yourself--that would intimidate me. The embroidery on the purse flap adds a touch of elegance--beautiful!
  
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