Pattern Review ~ Verona Bag from Art Gallery Quilts
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Pattern Verona Bag ~ Art Gallery Quilts Sewing Pattern Coleen works as a freelance photographer (see her portfolio and learn more at www.ColeenHauthPhotography.com). You can also find Coleen on her The Hauth’s of Rock blog and you can learn more in her introduction. Coleen shares her review of the Verona Bag today, with some tips and great feedback to help you as you sew your own bag. Enjoy! |
| Description & Materials | |||
| This is a carryall type of tote bag. It has nice thick handles and could even carry a smallish laptop, or with a few easy mods could carry any laptop.
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| Materials | |||
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| Fabric Recommendations | |||
| I used regular weight quilting cotton for all parts of the bag; it would also work with home décor weight or even linen to give it a more summer feel. |
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| Overall Design |  |
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| I felt like the pockets should have been a little deeper and a bit more top stitching would have really made the bag look great. On functionality, the bag is a great size and holds everything a mom would need: diapers, wipes, a sippy or two and snacks. The magnetic snap is a great feature; instead of having to fumble with zippers or a mile worth of Velcro while trying to dig out something for the kids you can just flip the flap open and rummage through. With a cute fabric choice it could also be a really stylish laptop bag for work. |
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| Written Instructions |  |
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The written instructions were very clear and concise. Where there was anything that could have been construed as difficult to understand or maybe a new sewing skill set there would be a nifty little tip right underneath on how to accomplish it.
Top detail. |
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| Diagrams / Images | |
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| I would have liked a few more pictures when it came to attaching the top and bottom panels for the exterior. The pictures that were included were great though and extremely helpful. |
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| Pattern Pieces | |
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I loved the pattern pieces on this pattern. There were guides on each section to know exactly where to set the magnetic snaps and handles. All you had to do if you felt a little lost on placement was lay it over your fabric and mark it from there. I wish more patterns were done like that. |
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| Overall Level of Difficulty | Intermediate | ||
| I would say this is an intermediate pattern just because of the cording. Trying to make it fit along the curve was pretty rough and did not go well on my first 2 attempts. (I was cursing all that was holy in the name of cording.) Also, if you did not get it right or at least exactly the same on both sides of the exterior the bag starts to look like the Bride of Frankenstein. Other than that, everything comes together quickly and easily.
Strap & clasp detail. |
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| Tips + Modifications |
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| I would have added more topstitching on the exterior, possibly in a contrasting thread to make it more visually exciting. Also, the inside drop pockets could be a little deeper so it would comfortably fit a smart phone or maybe a travel case of baby wipes. If you were looking to make this bag as a laptop carrier, you could lengthen the top and widen the bag by only a few inches and use fusible fleece for some extra cushion on the inside. |
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| Conclusion | |||
| Overall, I liked this pattern. I think I would take it on again to make a nice carrying case for my laptop. I like the feel of it and the simplicity of most of the pattern pieces (aside from assembling the cording!). | |||
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on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 6:45 am and is filed under Pattern Reviews, Products & Books.
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12 Responses to “Pattern Review ~ Verona Bag from Art Gallery Quilts”
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Just when I said I didn’t need to buy any more purse patterns this lovely review comes along! Looks like you did a great job and thanks for the handy review.
Yes, thank you for the great review! I even laughed when I read you cursed all that was holy about cording. Tee hee!
Good to know! I loved this bag but I’m definitely a beginner. I might wait a bit until I can work with cording. Thanks for reviewing for us. Your fabric choices are awesome!
Too cute! Great coordinating fabric selection.
I love that flap that hangs over the top! It looks great.
Thanks for the great pattern review. The funniest part of this review was the pictures–I purchased the exact same main exterior fabric but in another colorway. For some reason I wasn’t prepared for the dots to be so big so it was kind of “what was I THINKING??” But now that I see it used for this bag, I love it! so thanks for the pattern review and opening my eyes to possibilities for that fabric!
I have to admit that I’ve cursed a skirt I’ve been making. Makes you feel better sometimes.
Great review and gorgeous bag! I lovelovelove your fabric selection!
Great review & I really love the look of this bag!! I think I would love to make one or two of them!!
lol, I really love this purse, and it’s ironic, I live in a town called “Verona”
I just love the look of this bag. So pretty and the detail on the top is so pretty.
This is some thing I will certainly investigate.