Pattern Testing & Review

I've been super busy here lately! And what extra time I've had I've chose to sew instead of blog....and I want to show you all something I've been sewing on!
I know you guys have heard of Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness right? Well, if you haven't you really really need to go check out her blog! She is an amazing designer, and a very very sweet person! I've had the opportunity to test out one of her newest patterns! She has a bunch! This one is called the Lilium Laptop Bag. The pattern includes 2 different sizes. I chose to make the smaller one. The pattern also has the option to not make it a laptop bag (by omiting a few things) and I knew I wouldn't use it as a laptop bag so I chose to omit those few steps, and my bag turned out AMAZING!!! I really love it!

I think my helper wants to steal it from me! LOL!
Here is the description Sara includes with the pattern:
This pattern will allow you to make a laptop bag in two popular sizes. The small bag is perfect for a 13” MacBook Pro or similar sized notebook computer and the larger bag is great for most wide-screen laptops. The bag is padded with 1/2” foam on the front, back, and bottom, for maximum protection of your electronic device. There is also an exterior and interior zippered pocket. The interior is also separated with a divider, so you have room for both your laptop and charger. What a great way to carry your laptop around in style!



This bag has a magnetic snap closure (which I love!) Okay, enough with the talking I'll just show you some pictures!

Front View

Back zippered pocket

Inside, with divider and zippered pocket

Inside of the interior zippered pocket

Front of the bag with flap raised

Front of the bag

My gorgeous girl modeling the bag! (I swear she keeps eyeballing it, and waiting for me to turn my back so she can snatch it!)

Back of bag with zippered pocket

Interior of bag with divided pockets

Another view of the interior

I put a notebook in the bag to help hold it up while taking photos, and realized it could make a PERFECT bag for school, and remember this is just the small version, and I could've probably still fit in a few more books! It has the perfect place for pens and pencils and whatever else you may need!

Another one of my model, I was taking pics of just the bag and looked up and realized she had been cheesing the whole time! LOL!
I do have to admit that I am a little late in getting this finished for Sara. The reason being is that I had to remake a few parts a couple times. I guess I need to pay closer attention to what I'm doing! I'll even woman up and show you all how I messed up!

This was my first time doing a zippered pocket like this and I measured wrong, so instead of putting the pocket like it was written (for the length of the bag) I put it vertical! UGH! I was soooo mad once I realized what I had done! And I had to rip out some other things, but that was completely because I was just trying to get it done and was not paying attention!
I also made my first adjustable strap! It was sooooooo much easier than I thought!
All in all this pattern is very well written and easy to follow (if you actually read what you're doing, unlike myself!) and I would reccomend you all go and purchase it!
So, if you've not yet read Sara's blog or checked out all of her amazing patterns I highly recommend it! I own 3 or 4 of her patterns, the next one on my list to make is her Aeroplane Bag! And Sara just released her first wallet pattern that includes 3 different wallets!!!!! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! She is such an amazing designer! So go go go check out her blog and then hop over to her pattern shop and get started on one of her bags! I promise she has something for EVERYONE!!!!!!

This bag is made using Tula Pink's faric line Saltwater! I love it!!! :)

~Hope y'all are having a GREAT day!!!!~

Dot Dot Dash- I DID IT!

I was lucky enough to be one of the pattern testers for Sara's new pattern Dot Dot Dash! I absolutely L-O-V-E the finished product! Isn't it pretty????? I'm not going to lie to you though, I fought with this bag, and I do mean FOUGHT with it! I gave up about 20 times and if it wasn't for Sara's encouragment (along with my VERY supportive hubby's) I wouldn't have finished it!!!
It wasn't because of the pattern, it was great! Very well written, and easy to follow (as are all of her patterns!) It was that inset zipper!!!!!! GRRRRRR!!!!

*calming breath*

I had never sewn one before and didn't think it would be as difficult (for me) as it was. But, I did it! And I couldn't be happier with the result of my labor!
I decided to use some prints from Valori Wells line Cacoon, which I absolutely adore, and a low volume gray to change it up a bit. I used Kona Steel for the lining. 

I was worried about being able to do this bag because of the curved accent pieces, but if I do say so, that part was literally a piece of cake!!!! Sara's instructions were soooooo easy to follow I didn't have ONE BIT of a problem with it!!!! Did I mention I LOVE THIS BAG?????

I love how it's got enough space to use for just about anything, seriously, it could be used for an everyday purse, a project bag (because the pockets themselves are very spacious, you could even fit a FEW projects in there!!!! And with the little accent pieces, they are perfect place for putting some hand sewing needles!), I could even see using this as a (very well organized) diaper bag!!!

Here is my baby girl modeling it for me! It almost swallows her! LOL!

I did the back almost the same as the front, I just LOVE it!!!!

All in all, I think this is a FANTASTIC bag/pattern. If you are a beginner I think it would be challenging but it CAN BE DONE! An intermediate to advanced seamstriss could whip this up without a hitch! I am not sure which category I fall into anymore, maybe advanced beginner?

Oh, one more thing, I did not use the adjustable strap that she gives the directions for, simply because I could not find the proper hardware locally. I didn't really have the time to order online. But I do plan on making this bag again and I will be making it with the adjustable strap. Of course I'll let you guys see it when I get around to it!


So head on over to Sara's pattern shop and pick up the pattern!!! While you are there she has also released the pattern for another FANTASTIC BAG! And I'm positive there is a BUNCH more to come!!!!


Thank you Sara for letting me test this pattern! I truly do love it!!!!