Mid-October is going to be crazy around here, so I launched into my back-tack 2 project this week. There will be several parts to the bag and the kit that I'm putting together, but the first (and biggest) part deserves its own post.
Inspired by Africankelli (who's making an Amy Butler bag), I bought the Amy Butler Rural Messenger Bag to use for the main part of the project. I bought the pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop and the fabrics from JCaroline Creative. I placed the orders on a Saturday night; both arrived on Tuesday morning. Awesome!
The outside of the messenger bag is brown cotton duck (a nice sturdy
canvas,) the inside is a lime green Michael Miller Hypnosis print. I
didn't bother to use any interfacing this time around, but when I make
the bag again, I'll add some to the lining. I find with most bags the
lining turns out kind of shloompy, not crisp like I'd prefer. After
fiddling around and a whack of seam ripping, I top stitched in lime
green by doubling my top needle thread. For closures I left out the
Velcro and used heavy duty snaps instead. I know as a knitter that I
don't like to use Velcro in a bag that may later house yarn.
I love the final product (I hope my back-tack partner will too), but I am going to rip on the pattern a little. Look away if you're Amy Butler devout.
I love Amy Butler's work. She has beautiful designs, beautiful fabrics, and beautiful colour choices. I balked at the price tag at first ($12ish) but after shopping around, I found it's priced close to the same all over. I'm used to patterns priced that high, but I'm certain I've never paid that much. You know how it is, you pop into the fabric store and they're running a 50% off sale. The local Hancock Fabrics even has permanent 50% off stickers on all the pattern drawers, so it's been a while since I've paid full price.
When I pay this much my expectations are higher. I expect professionally drawn schematics and pieces, not photocopied sharpie versions. Only half of the pieces were included (and the back pocket piece is wonky at that), the other half were given as measurements to figure out on your own. Being a quilter, I have rulers and rotary cutting tools that take all the guesswork out, but I'd hate to have to wing it on my own as a new sewer. The handwritten notes alongside the teeny schematics just added to the challenge. Maybe it's supposed to be part of the "rural charm" but it doesn't get my vote.
I’m not a hater, I'll make this bag again, but I have issues with this pattern. I plan to send a letter to Art of the Midwest, but given my previous experience with pattern complaints, I don't have high hopes.
Interesting review. I have always wondered what her patterns were like and although the designs seem simple enough it seems like a high price for a pattern. Thank you for sharing your critical view! It will be interesting to see if Art of the Midwest has anything to say.
Posted by: lori z | October 02, 2005 at 20:10
Your bag is great!
I first made that pattern about 2 yrs ago and quite frankly it is the worst I encountered of her's. The other ones seem to go alot better. I have had communication with them previously and they always are very responsive.
Posted by: Cindy | October 02, 2005 at 22:52
That bag is very cool and I love the green topstitching. It's all in the details!
Posted by: Karma | October 03, 2005 at 10:21
Uh oh. I just got my pattern in the mail this weekend. Doesn't sound good.
But your bag turned out fantastically. What does the lining look like?
Posted by: Kelli | October 03, 2005 at 10:56
Your bag looks great! I'm always so in love with your material and color choices.
Posted by: Kellee | October 03, 2005 at 12:17
The bag came out so well! I love it! And I must completely agree with you about the Amy Butler patterns. I do love her designs, but having tried several of her (expensive!) patterns, I get bummed at the way they're written, the price, etc...
Posted by: amanda | October 03, 2005 at 22:22
How disappointing!
Your bag looks so cool I was tempted to go and check out the patterns. But no more.
Sounds a lot like the Charlotte's Web pattern. Handwritten notes, hand drawn charts.
Sorry, I pay my money and I want something a bit more professional looking. Or, at least, something I can understand!
Posted by: Laurie | October 04, 2005 at 16:01
Super cool bag! Your back-tack buddy is lucky!
Posted by: Julie | October 04, 2005 at 19:20
Just thought you would love to know that there is a free NEW pattern of amy butler fabric in this months issue of better homes and gardens quilters mag......IT IS GREAT!! Also .....the mag gives a place to purchase this cute lil kit that has everything to make the bag ( www.mygreenvelvet.com ) not to mention the store is wonderful as well :) its great great great
Posted by: bcrafty | October 05, 2005 at 01:00
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this- I have been toying with the idea of buying a pattern, but seeing as I'm not a very accomplished sewer, I might hold off.
The bag looks amazing, though, a true testament to your awesome skill as a crafter!
Posted by: Cathi | October 05, 2005 at 16:04
I think that the reason patterns such as Amy Butler's are more expensive is because they are NOT mass-produced. They take longer to create and more money to print and produce because it is a small company. I, for one, think that that is worth the extra few dollars.
Posted by: | October 06, 2005 at 14:11
Very nice bag. Awesome job.
Posted by: Lu | October 11, 2005 at 09:20
I've had similar complaints with other patterns of hers. I found they can be unnecessarily complicated and incomplete. Despite the frustration though, like you, I love her ideas and will continue to make them. I can't wait for her new ones to get in the stores!
Posted by: angharad jones | October 15, 2005 at 23:20
I JUST finished making this same bag this weekend. I like Amy's patterns - especially since they aren't made out of that tissue paper like the one's at the fabric store. This one was by far the worst of hers I've used, though. I have my gripes with this bag as well (see Oct. 17 post). I found that I was "sewing blind" for part of the time, but the final product turned out fine. My biggest gripe is that it doesn't fit my short body AT ALL. Your choice of fabric is lovely and I like the idea of snaps much better than velcro. Good job! Your bag has inspired me to maybe try again - with a shorter strap, nicer fabric, and maybe a overall shorter bag.
Posted by: lindiepindie | October 18, 2005 at 10:34