Coco Bag with Boxed Corners & Lots of Changes

This is the Coco Bag, which is a free pdf by ChrisW Designs. This bag and pdf have been around for several years now, but I have never made this bag until now. I think one thing I wasn't wild about is the darts on the bag. I guess darts aren't my thing when it comes to bags. but one day I was looking at some pdf patterns and I saw the Coco and I had one of those aha moments. I could change the things about Coco I didn't like and add things I do like and do a total remake of Coco, so I did, lol!

I made lots and lots of changes to this bag. I added a bit in height to Coco so when I box the corners, I wouldn't lose as much of the bag. I didn't want to use the tubing in the handles, so I made more traditional handles and I made some strap tabs with rings too, instead of grommets and swivel hooks. I used foam instead of fleece. I added a zippered pocket inside and I added a phone pocket on the back of the bag the way Christine does in most of her bags now, but Coco was created before Christine did that. I added Peltex base and purse feet on the bottom of the bag. I added 2 magnetic snaps to close the bag and added them to the top band, rather than the separate tab the pattern called for. I also added foam to the top band instead of using Peltex there.

The basic top shape of the bag is the same as the original Coco, but I changed so much to Coco that I now really love this bag! I am sure the original Coco is loved by a lot of people who make her and it is a great looking bag too, but you know I have learned so much being Christine's bag tester for so many years, that I just applied a lot of my bag making skills to this bag and made changes that I liked (some are strictly sewing changes and doesn't affect the look of the bag). I can certainly credit Christine for all that I have learned in the bag making world. I usually make at least one change to nearly all the bags I make, whether it is a Christine design or a design from another designer. That is the beauty of bag making for me is that I can make changes that I like to see in a bag. I love to see what changes other people make in bags they make too. Sometimes it is those changes I see that sells me on a particular bag pattern that I otherwise might not have given a second look to. And I know some people have told me when they see my bags and the changes I make that they are sold on that particular pattern because of the changes I made.

So don't think you have to make a bag exactly as the instructions tell you to. You can enlarge or reduce the bag to suit the needs of you or a customer. You can add or subtract or change pockets. Of course you need to have the skills in bag making to make changes and for me that took years and years of making bags and taking chances. I have had great results and some clunkers too that I either donated or sold cheap because it didn't work out the way I wanted. But with every bag I make I learn something and can make whatever changes I want to. 

So back to Coco. Here she is with all the changes that I made~

I like this blue and brown print paired with the dark brown.

Side view.

I added a phone pocket on the back top of the bag.

Inside a zippered pocket and 2 magnetic snaps.

A slip pocket with a pen pocket.

I added purse feet and Peltex (inside) to keep Coco's bottom clean and sturdy too.

Oh and so you can compare my updated Coco to the original Coco, here is the photo of Coco from Christine's pdf:

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