Pattern Review :: Sew Together Bag
For a couple of years now I’ve been seeing the Sew Together Bag pop up all over Instagram, and I’ve wanted to try one, but have felt nervous because it has some different techniques than I’ve used before. Finally, after much debate, I decided to make my mom one for Christmas, and now that it’s finally on its way to her, I wanted to share it!
I made almost the entire body of the bag at Christmas, but then kept changing my mind on the binding, so it took me a while to finish it. I’ll admit, I hardly followed the pattern at all {too many words, not enough pictures}, but after I cut my pieces, I followed the Sew Along by Heather at The Quilt Barn. Heather has carefully broken down the pattern into five parts and makes every step clear.
I used a double-pull zipper on the top of this one, just for fun!
And here’s a peek at the inside too. There are lots of pockets and organizational space, and the bag is actually quite a bit larger than I thought it would be. My biggest issue was the side panels. Since the pattern just calls for “interfacing” and doesn’t give specifics, I used Pellon 931TD interfacing {more about bag interfacing soon!}, but it was way too stiff for the sides. I searched Heather’s posts and found in the comments that she used Pellon 911FF Fusible Featherweight which is a lightweight interfacing. I will use that next time.
Sewing the top zipper and binding was a bit of a challenge also, because you have to carefully line up the bag. Chrissy at Sew Lux said she always uses matching zipper, binding, and thread. I did the same so you can’t really see that I had to stitch twice to get everything perfect {you could also hand stitch this portion, but I was getting impatient!}.
I’m really glad to have this project off my to-do list and on it’s way to my mom! I hope she loves it! I have yet to decide if I’ll make another one. I think this is a really fun pattern and the Sew Along makes it accessible to everyone. I think it was worth the time to make and does yield a unique, fun bag!
- Fabric: Cookie Book by Kim Kight for Cotton + Steel + C+S Basic XOXO in Night Owl
- Pattern: Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented
- Interfacing: Pellon 931TD Fusible Midweight + prewashed flannel for quilted body
Though, I can see how it would be much easier the second time around, I’m not sure I want to make the same pattern again or try something else new. How about you? I kind of feel like making this multiple times helps justify the cost of the pattern, but my busy mind likes to keep moving on to new things all the time. Do you often make a pattern more than once? Or is once enough for you?
I had a lot of fun with this bag. I’ve made it 3 times now, and it just got easier and easier. Your bag looks lovely, I’m sure you’re Mom will enjoy it.
I have yet to try the bag…but it is on my “to do” list! I love your color combination. I am sure you mom will absolutely LOVE it!
I’ve seen these a lot on Instagram, also but I don’t know what I’d use it for. I can’t think of a purpose for all of those zippered compartments. Obviously they’re useful for others or else so many wouldn’t be making them!
So cute! I will let you know if I fill all those little compartments!!
I ‘ve made this bag four times now… one for myself and three others as bee gifts. The directions were not very clear , but I, too, found the online tutorials very helpful. The photos cleared up lots of confusing verbiage in the instructions. Using the same color zipper and binding and thread is a great tip!!
I loooove your version so much!!! Perfect fabric choices 🙂 thanks for the review
I love my sew together bag! I knew I could make it by my self but had a friend who did a class in it so I took it. Its so much fun to sew along with others! I was going to do two at once but life hapened. I definately want to make another one! Many of my friends have made 5 plus for themselves and as gifts. I love it as my travel/downstairs sewing bag. It is incredible how much you can fit in it and it does not lookbulky! Yours is too cute! One hint I would give is to use a longer zipper and/or slightly longer tabs on the sides. The longer zipper can be cut down if needed but really just made the side handles easier to sew and carry
I have made this bag four times. I can quickly whip one up and so I make them for gifts and I’m getting ready to make another one. I agree that the quilt barn sew along tips and pictures helped, without those I would not made the first one so easily. I need lots of pictures and I am usually not one of the first ones to use a pattern first , I like to find out all the issues people had. I just made a weekender bag and it will be a few months before I make another one. But I definitely use a pattern over and over but I usually don’t buy a pattern unless I absolutely love the end product.
My Sew Together bag is still not finished because of the lack of pictures in the pattern for visual explanations. I have since found the sew along with the fantastic tips but I haven’t gone back to my bag. I think I need to because I would love to have it finished.
I was afraid to try this bag, but recently made my first with the help of the Quilt Barn tutorial. The second one was much easier and I am planning a few more for my quilting friends.
I found the bag so much easier to make the second time around. I plan to make more. The only thing that frustrates me is the fact I am not able to sell the bags that I make. I feel like the cost of the pattern would be more feasible if I was able to do that.
Ps. I love your bag. It is so cute!
It turned out lovely. I have seen so many popping up but still not in the mood to make one. I usually make a pattern once as I kind of loose interest and want to make something new or a different version of the pattern. Addapted to my needs or ideas I want to see in real. Will be interessting how and what you change 🙂
I think there are definitely two distinct camps on this issue of ‘make once/move on’ or ‘make again and again’. I am of the first, although I did make a second one of these to see if it was easier the second time! I usually don’t make something more than once- there are too many fantastic things out there that I want to make!
I’m usually a one timer, otherwise I get bored. But, I’ve made 2 of these so far and I’m thinking of making another. This is NOT just a sewers bag! I made one for my daughter and she has it filled with things you need when away from home…bandaids, hand sanitizer, ibuprofin, antacids, nail clipper and file, hand lotion…you know, all the things you normally carry in your purse!
I have used this pattern several times and will probably make it several more times. I generally use quilt patterns one time only.
Great tip re: matching binding thread, zip and binding. Looking at your photo my first thought was how neat the binding on the zipper looked. You’d never guess you had to stitch it twice – that is the bit I found the hardest / liked the least about mine. I’ve made it twice and I would make it again if I thought someone would like it (say for a swap or something) but I’m a bit like you – too many cool patterns to sew!
Love your Sew Together Bag! I’ve made it four times now and have given them all away, so I do need to make one for me. I have friends who’ve made it many more times than me (for gifts, I guess). But after I made it the last time I sort of lost interest.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the bag, but there are so many things to be made!!!
Your Sew Together pouch is gorgeous! I love the fabrics and the colors you chose!
I tend to make patterns more than one time… ONLY if it is fun and stress free!
I just purchased and downloaded the pattern myself, as I, too have seen lots of different blog posts raving about this pouch. When a guild-sister showed up to our monthly charity workshop with one stocked as her traveling sewing kit I knew it was time to take the jump! I was rather disappointed with the pattern, too wordy but I am a visual learner. The Quilt Barn tutorial was truly enough for me, all I needed from the pattern was supply list. I could have decided my own dimensions, and come up with my own supply list. I guess I was expecting a picture filled tutorial with lots of variation suggestions.
I am inserting an embroidered panel to compliment the colors and florals of my outside fabric then I’ll be off to the races in completing my bag! Just goggle Sew Together Bag and you’ll find lots and lots of lovely color/fabric combinations on blogs and probably flicker, too.
I just finished my third bag! I wish I would have searched out that sew-along before I’d started-seems there are good tips-and also good tips in this post. Love this bag!
What type of camera are you using?
I have just discovered your version of the Sew Together Bag and love the colours. I have made it twice as a gift and want to make one for me as my existing go everywhere sewing bag is bulging at the seams. I was lucky enough to also receive one as a gift. It is the best for keeping chargers and cables tidy, especially when travelling.
I just made this pattern fotpr the first time and wish I had read your blog first. The side psneks were a huge problem for me. I used Shapeflex and it was way too stiff. I widh the oattern came with a better dippky lost snd ibstructions, but thanks for yoyr post,
I have made this bag several times now. I made it several years ago for myself and my mom. Then I found Tula Pink and wanted to make another. I have also made and gifted at least 2 bags. I love how it holds so much and is a fun conversation piece when I go to quilt or embroidery classes and retreats.
Would this bag work as a travel toiletry bag?