I'm embarrassed about just how long it's taken to make a pattern for what appears to be a straightforward-looking satchel style bag.
Ah... but the devil is in the DETAIL. There have been structural changes and pocket changes inside and out.
And finally I'm happy with an expandable pleated pocket on one side and a compartment pocket on the other.
And a patch pocket on the front of the bag (concealed by the flap).
There were lots of other things to work out (read: sample, tweak, sample, tweak.....sample tweaksampletweaksampletweak...), like the size relationship between the bag and the laptop sleeve insert (which can also act as a divider or document wallet)...
And the size relationship between sleeve and laptop....
Jiggling around purse feet placements to accommodate our NEW large pursefeet (watch this space for news on those!)... Getting the SHOULDER PAD right, getting all the tips and hints for using PVC, webbing and velcro throughout the instructions....
There are lots of finishing skills to learn with this pattern and the instructions (as always) are VERY VERY DETAILED. It's been a long journey, but the end is clearly in sight. There will be news soon.... which means I should do my regular giveaway draw for a pattern hot off the press. Leave a comment here and I'll draw a lucky winner when the pattern goes up on the website. Edited to add: The fabrics are (brown bag) Lindsey by Timeless Treasures and (blue) You Got the Notions by Robert Kaufman.
Leah was one of my pattern testers for this one. She made a very teenage-daughter friendly version in this Alexander Henry skull print. I think it's fab. (It won the approval of said teenage daughter, too - it'll be her school bag)....
PS. Update on Rainbow comfort Packs HERE....
99 comments:
It looks great, I love the skull one!
yeah I think my brother could do with that skull one too!!
The pattern is gorgeous! Well worth all the time spent! I actually like the fabric from the first one best. I've never seen that fabric before .. will have to do some research!
A giveaway? Count with me and thanks for the chance :)
All of your tweaking has certainly paid off. It looks like a great pattern.
I love the use of the of vinyl on the skull bag. I can envision lots of possilities with that. Also, I love how nice the binding looks. I'd love to hear more about how you attach binding (I always struggle with that). I just got a new laptop and may need to think about making one.
Really nice. I know the pockets are devils sometimes but for a bag like this they will really come in handy. Is there one that's convenient for thumbdrives? (or maybe I can make a thumbdrive wallet to match.
Great looking bag. I'd love to have one for myself.
I've seen lots of laptop patterns, but this one look like it would be super functional. I would love to be in the drawing. Then I could ditch the laptop bag my hubby gave me with the computer. It's nice, but you feel like you're packing for a trip! Very heavy!
I got a laptop in October and still don't have a bag for it. Could totally use this pattern!
I just love your patterns. The instructions are so detailed. I can hardly wait for this one as I have a few requests to make laptop bags.
It's obvious you've put a lot of thought into this design, as well as how to build this bag - well done! Can't wait to get one!
Well done Nikki! As always a professional and great looking design - I am looking forward to the release! Keep up the good work, Heather
I think 2009 might be my year of 'the bag'. With all the inspiration you and u-handbag.com provide I am edging ever nearer to takingthe plunge.
What a gorgeous bag! I'd love to win the pattern. I'm still a fledgling seamstress so I'm relying heavily on patterns to teach me about sewing. Loving it so far!
It looks great and well worth all the effort. I would love to win the pattern. Well done with all the rainbow bags too.
I would appreciate the chance to see one of your patterns. It would probably kick start me into action - I have a wee fetish for everything "bag".
I absolutely LOVE this pattern! Messenger style bags are my favorite and I absolutely love the details - especially the padding on the strap. How large of a laptop can fit into the bag?
Oh, so gorgeous! I love it.
Oh Nikki I would love the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with a bag like these! It would be so much better than my boring black vinyl laptop bag that I have for work!
Ooh, so pretty! I'm looking forward to taking up sewing again once I submit my PhD thesis at the end of March. I'd love to make myself a pretty laptop bag to replace my boring old grey one...
What a great and detailed pattern you have designed!! The bags look great and very functional. I love the skull bag too:)
It's amazing how the 3 different fabrics give it a totally different feel. It's too hard to even pick a favourite!
Lookin Good! Great fabrics - I think school teachers will love these bags - even without a laptop - the clear vinyl and red skulls very effective!! WOW!!
Looks like time well spent, your samples look absolutely fab!
And a very functional pattern. Thanks
I've been planning a bag for my laptop for a couple of months now. It needs to be as neat, useful and funky as the little notebook itself. I think this pattern fits the bill!
LOVE it! Have wanted to take the plunge with bags for ages - and now thanks to last week's sewing bee I've mastered drawstring backpacks and little satchels - that was the push I needed! (A couple more little satchels to drop in to you next week, too.) So this looks like the perfect bag to move on a bit and do more detailed finishings! I will be in the queue when the pattern's available :)
L.O.V.E. them....as always. I was completely stymied by the handle pad on the last messenger bag I made. I very desperately would LOVE to win the pattern giveaway. All digits crossed from this point on.
It is the detail in the instructions that makes your patterns so amazing... well, that and how fantastic the end products look! Thanks for sharing what's in your brain with others!!!
I was wondering when you were going to release this pattern. Looks like a winner to me!
This bag looks amazing!! This would be a neat challenge for me.
looks fantastic, I liked the look of the one Lara made too.
Oooh how exciting! I've been waiting for this pattern and all your hard work looks like it was definitely worth it! Now to see where I can squeeze some extra days in the week for some sewing :)
They look fantastic!! I'm looking forward to that one coming out!!
These look great! Great gift idea for the men too...not always easy to come across.
Yah!! I've been waiting to make this one, worth the wait, it looks great.
By the way, I made my carry on bag. I didn't alter one of your patterns (I used a free tutorial for an overnight bag) but I did use the instructions and tips from one of your patterns to make it sensational. It's on my blog.
Just love the look of it, and a whole lot more stylish than my grey laptop bag. May just need to make one of those. Thanks for your generosity.
these bags look fantastic, another one to add to my patten wishlist (only a few months till my birthday!)- you have done a great job Nikki ^_^
great job. i would make one for each of my kids, a boy,9, and girl, 11. very cool street satchels for anything. you know we all love giveaways!
LOVE these laptop bags...all the things I look for in a good bag, and never find them all in one place....GOOD for you!Cannot WAIT to make some of these!
I am loving this bag. I can't wait to make one.
That would be perfect for my laptop - I only have a dull black bag for it. I'll go and look out for fabric while you finish the pattern!
Love it! Your daughter is a lucky girl. Hopefully, I can be a lucky winner!
Love it, can't wait to try one.
Your attention to detail is what gives me confidence when making up one of your designs! Keep up the wonderful work, and put me in your give-away draw please!
it is just fabulous! I know my daughter wants a messenger laptop bag! Wonder if I could get it done BEFORE she finishes college. She is still waiting for her quilt.
oooh Hope I win.
don't have a laptop, but this will be great for carrying A4 folders to meetings, great design
Brilliant! The fabrics look terrific and give each laptop bag a personality of their own. So well resolved and certainly worth all the tweaking and testing.
Wow! What a great design, Nikki and I love all the different looks each fabric give. It's always amazing how much time goes into getting the pattern "tweaked", isn't it? This one is well worth all the time and effort. Well done!
this is a fantastic pattern, the detail is amazing, can't wait to try it out.
You know how much I love this bag Nikki (I've just packed it ready to go to work tomorrow) but those FABRICS! You continue to be a fabri-holic enabler...the Kaufman one in particular looks great. And Leah has done a superb job on her bag.
Fabulous bag, would love to win a copy please. Hard bit for me, each of my three girls would want one (plus one for me!), but that's OK, it's all part of the fun. Thanks for the chance and good luck with future designs.
Tracey
Hope it's not too late to enter the draw for the pattern! I love that blue sample you made. Heck - I love th
em all! -B
I have been waiting sooooo patiently for this pattern. All the pictures look fabulous. Well done
Hi Nikki,
Just checked out Lara's New Laptop bag at work - Fabulous. I need to join in the fun!! Great work. If I win you can contact me through Lara!!
That looks really good! =)
My favorite is the first bag pictured - the one with the flowers and the brown colors. Soooo cute!
Well done Nikki :) I was hanging out to see the finished project.
I love the first bag you showcased, it's like a quilt, with different fabrics in similar colourways matching each other and making the bag pop.
:)
This is such a great design. I'm always floored by the beauty and details of your creations.
Ooh, I feel I'm pushing my luck right down the bottom here, but I missed the giveaway bit, I was too busy ogling the bag! Your patterns are converting me to a complete hand made bag collection- years of op shop collecting may be going down the drain! Of course, I'd love a pattern- who wouldn't? They're great!
What a smart bag you've created! Love the looks and the solution for the inside. I would love to win the pattern!
Agneta in Sweden
agnetaquiltar (a) gmail.com
http://agnetaquiltar.zoomin.se/blogg.html
WOW!! This bag looks great (as do your other bag patterns). It looks like the perfect size for a laptop (or anything else I want to carry around). I love versatile bags! I have read soooo many great comments about your patterns and I am sure that all the blood, sweat and tears will be worth it as this will sell like hot cakes!
What a fabulous bag...love it.
How good would this bag look in a unisex tartan !
Great bag pattern. Well done! Love the blue fabric with girls over it - ideal to add a bit of fun to a business woman's laptop bag.
Debi
Congratulations! This has to be one of your best patterns. The level of detail is exceptional. Love the first bag.
Way better than any of those boring ones in the shops! Thanks Nikki... you rock.
PS I'd love to win the pattern
This pattern looks fantastic Nikki.
The orange and green one is my favourite, and I reckon the 'Ikea' one is great too!
The design looks absolutely fantastic, great job! I especially like the orange and green, the orange fabric is just gorgeous. Might have to look that one up.
I've been wanting to make a laptop bag, so your timing is perfect! Winning a pattern would be icing on teh cake. :-)
I visited your shop and saw Leah's skull one - fantastic pattern with so many useful features. I like the last Ikea one. Looks quite unisex and inspires to create for all ages / genders etc.
The laptop bag is a TREAT!! As for the photo - I reckon the lovely berry coloured print (4th from the top). It shows the feet and the strap better than any of the other pictures and you should show off these great features. Mind you, I do like the bold grey/black print, and the blue ladies, and the red flowers and that one with the orange/olive combination and the.....
All of the Laptop Bags look great, but my favorite is the 4th from the top - the purple one. Love your work!
Wow just what I want! Love to be in the draw Nikki, thanks.
I absolutely can't wait to get this pattern -- it looks phenomenal!
I like the blue with women.
The bag is a great idea, well planeed, great design and fabric. Can't wait for the pattern!
I love how comfortable this bag looks. Great to get the laptop in and out, and comfortable to carry, and nice to sit around while using the laptop.
Hi Nikki,
I love the Ikea one.....you can see all the details....I just need to get to an Ikea store for some more stash!!!!
LOVE the professional look of this bag! My favourite...and my vote for pic for the pattern cover art is the dancing ladies with contrasting laptop sleeve no less! Brilliant as always!
I think it might be time for a new bag...one for me...one for rainbows...
This is an amazing bag...
I have been wanting to have a laptop bag for a long long time!! Good to know you can actually make one yourself!!!!
Great pattern! I'm not too advanced with my sewing skills, but one of these days I'd love to try this out. I love messenger bags.
the bags look awesome!! one day i hope i will make one :) can't wait! Yana
Yet another fabulous pattern Nikki! Now I just need the laptop to go with it although I am sure I could put it to other uses.
I love the third bag, the one with the brown, blue, and white flowers.
I love this bag. I have been looking all over for a laptop bag. Please have it out soon.
Perfect for daughter's PhD grad gift!
Wow, I just saw Leah's review on PatternReview and I had to investigate. I love it! I feel a pattern purchase coming on. Love coin purses you designed as well--this from a woman who normally shoves everything in her pocket!
I think the pattern cover would look best using the Loft 1800 by Moda fabric bag. It is vibrant, but not over the top,and the most appealing to me - although they all look great! regards, jan.
Great design. I think the pattern cover would look best featuring the floral moda print fabric in greys and pink - very stylish!
Having seen the bags ïn the flesh"so to speak, they're even better than the pics.
I definitely love the first picture for the cover as it shows the crisp professional look of the bag and the browns/greens make it applicable to both male and female. Planned to make a bag for my daughter's new lap top but designing my own was way too much effort - thanks for giving me the easy way out!
Helen
Those are ridiculously awesome! I do not own a notebook but am now tempted to get one so I can make the bag. Ridiculous! Now I just have to think which of my friends with notebooks I like enough to make one for. You are genius!
My 17 inch laptop is going over to Europe in september and I would love to carry it in such a wonderful bag!
Hi Nikki
I love your laptop bags, all of them look great. I would love to win the pattern but can't wait and will have to buy it. The detail you have put in is great and I can think of some great designs to put on the front. I have just started a business with my daughter and our first bag is a messenger bag so this laptop bag is a great 2nd bag to work on.
Keep up the wonderful patterns.
I've been searching all over the internet looking for just the RIGHT laptop bag, and here it is at last! Great fun: perfect balance of utility and charm. As a long-time sewer and member of the American Sewing Guild, I offer my congratulations. Kudos on a job well done! I'd love to have the pattern. When do you anticipate that it will be available?
hai nikki,
i really love your laptop bag & would love to win the pattern so that i can try sew it myself.
Love this bag and I've been searching for a while. Can't wait for a shop date/ship date!
Lisa
Can't wait to get this pattern and give it a try...can you do one as a kit with all the parts? Thanks!
This looks great Nikki, wouldn't mind having a go at this one! Sorry to miss you in the hols. Mum will be here at the end of July, so perhaps plan to come then and get some knitting tips.
Post a Comment