Pattern Review ~ The Knotted Bag
Anna from Noodlehead created the “All Day” version of The Knotted Bag Craft Apple sewing pattern (with some Essex Blend in brown). Learn more about Anna in her introduction, and be sure to check out Noodlehead after you enjoy her review!
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Pattern The Knotted Bag Craft Apple Sewing Pattern |
| Description | |||
| From the package: A roomy bag that features a faux knot, interior pockets to keep essentials close and a convenient exterior magazine pocket.
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| Materials | |||
| I used a combination of linen blends for the exterior of the bag with a quilter’s weight cotton for the lining. You’ll also need two 3/4 inch magnetic snaps (luckily I had some), and a whopping 5 yards of interfacing for the “All Day” version (although I did use about a 1/2 yard less than that). | |||
| Overall Design |  |
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| I wasn’t super excited about the pattern at first, mostly because of the bow in the front, but when I used fabrics that made sense to me I loved how it turned out! It’s really practical too, which I love. The interior pocket is really generous in size – and divided. There’s also a handy exterior pocket in the back for all sorts of goodies everyone needs to tote around. The contoured straps are something new to me, but I really like how they add to the look of the bag. Another cool part about this pattern is that there are two different sizes to choose from: the Afternoon bag, and the All Day bag. |
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| Written Instructions |  |
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| This pattern is extremely well written and straight forward. When she recommends marking the pattern pieces because there are so many – you should! The only slightly confusing part was one of the first steps, when she explains what pieces to apply interfacing to, but I just went off of her interfacing diagrams and matched all the pieces up that way. Another little side note about the interfacing: it doesn’t say what weight of interfacing, but I used a medium weight and it is a bit stiff. If you like a stiff bag go with the medium weight, but if you prefer a more relaxed bag I would probably use a light weight interfacing.
Inside detail. |
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| Diagrams / Images | |
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| Lots of great diagrams in this pattern. I love it that she gives you a cutting layout like commercial patterns, and makes special annotations for those pieces that indicate which direction a print should be (if you’re using a directional print fabric). Love that, usually that part is the most confusing to me when I just want to quick get the pieces cut and move on! |
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| Pattern Pieces | |
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The pattern pieces are really nice for this pattern, she gives you a set of pieces for each size bag (instead of layering them on top of one another to save space). They’re printed on a large sheet of regular paper which is nice and should hold up well if you make the bag multiple times.
Pocket on the All Day version. |
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| Overall Level of Difficulty | Intermediate | ||
| I would say this bag is in the Intermediate category only because of the magnetic snaps. For those of us who aren’t accustomed to using them, they can be a bit intimidating, especially when you go cutting into the middle of your precious fabric (definitely practice using a magnetic snap on some scrap fabric if you’ve never put one in before). | |||
| Tips + Modifications |
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| Be careful sewing around those magnetic snaps! I was a bit intimidated doing some topstitching so close to them (at least it felt close). I cringed a few times thinking I was going to hit the snap with my needle. Just take your time and go slow. I also used a walking foot for the whole project; I think it helped a lot with preventing the layers from shifting.
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| Conclusion | |||
| I think this is a great bag pattern with lots of great details and features (without being overdone). I should say that I think the All Day bag would make a great lap top carrier (as long as you have your lap top in one of those little protective sleeves before you throw it in the bag). And for those of you etsy sellers out there, the pattern states that “you are welcome to make items from this pattern for sale.” Bonus! | |||
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31 Responses to “Pattern Review ~ The Knotted Bag”
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super helpful revies, anna-thanks!
thanks for the review! a question @ the magnetic snaps: are they absolutely necessary? i like the style of the bag a lot, but the snaps are a little intimidating. do you think the bag work well as a “tote” style w/o out them?
thanks!!
gigi
Thanks, Anna! I was actually considering that pattern (I just ordered Craft Apple’s apron pattern and got a little ad for the bag you made). 5 yards of interfacing is makes me hesitate though. I love how yours turned out!
It looks beautiful.
Great job Anna . . . this is a really nice bag! Great fabric choices too.
Your version is great!
I don’t think you’d really have to add the magnetic snaps if you didn’t want to. You should give them a try though, they’re not so bad. Craft Apple actually has a tutorial for installing them here: http://craftapple.wordpress.com/2007/08/15/sewing-tip-installing-a-magnetic-snap/
Great review & bag! I’m wondering if you used a heavier weight fabric, such as canvas or a decorator weight, for either or both the lining and bag…would this eliminate the need for all of that interfacing? Thanks!
I’ve seen the bag and loved it. I like your colors and fabric choices.
such a great review…I’ve been thinking about ordering this bag too and now you’ve sold me on it!
I love these pattern reviews!
Gigi, magnetic snaps are really really easy to install, don’t be afraid! I’ve only been sewing a year and one of the very first things I made had a magnetic snap. You can do it!!
Very nice bag! Thanks for the review. Looks like it could be a great “mommy bag”!
Nice bag, thanks for reviewing.
Nice review. I love the fabric you used.
Oh I love the Echino fabric you used! Lovely bag and great review!
Yours turned out very cute. Very thoughtful review, too. Thanks!
Thank you for the review, it looks super cute. Is it okay to throw a laptop in there with magnetic snaps though? HOnest question, I’ve been wondering that…
thanks for the review.
fabric choices are lovely!
so cute!
I like this bag and will try to make it. In place of magnetic snaps it’s possible to use buttons.
I like this a lot!
Really cute bag! Every girl has got to love a big tote…and the fabric choices are very nice.
what a beautiful beautiful bag!
its exactly my taste!
Great tutorial. I like this bag a lot.
Thanks for the review! I wanted to make this bag the minute I saw it. The straps are so cool!
Wow–I love your version of the bag…not like I need ANOTHER bag pattern, but I just might have to give in with this one thanks to your recommendations!
such a pretty bag!!
i would like to try one later but is it a PDF pattern?
Luv the combination of colours you used in your version of the bag! Big bag and I love big bags…
Thanks so much for the review, I wanted to try this one, but wasn’t sure. I will have to now.
Looks awesome….very cute
I’ve had this pattern for a few months and keep taking it out to look at it .. for some reason I don’t understand what part the “facing” plays in the whole scheme of things unless for support? does the front panel behind the bow just end up being part of the bag? or is there a pocket there? It’s a great bag and I have taken it out yet AGAIN and really want to try it .. your review is terrific and love your choices of fabrics .. I too would make the big bag as I find the small one just too small if you carry a lot.