The Hampstead Backpack

I tested this backpack back in October 2023. The testing was due November 1st and I finished in October. To date, I have not heard from the designer. Not a word! I have no idea if the pattern has been released? I have not received the updated pattern (which is standard to receive after testing a bag pattern), although a few designers for some reason do not give testers an updated version, but very few. I have no idea who the other testers are or how many there are?

All we testers usually receive is the pdf pattern to test and the updated version once all the edits have been made. Most designers to thank us testers too.

Well, I am posting this pattern as I don't know what happened and since it's been over 2 1/2 months since the pattern was first emailed to me to test, I am assuming it's out there somewhere for sale? Not sure if I will test again for this designer if I am left hanging. She does have some nice looking bag patterns, but this is my first test for her, although I did test an updated bag pattern too, but not sure what happened there on her end about that bag either? 

She seems like such a nice person too, so maybe she needs to spell out what she expects from testers and what she will do for testers too. There is no Facebook tester group as most designers have. No feed back form either.

Okay, so this is my version of the Hampstead Backpack. I won't mention the designer here, since I cannot provide links, but it is in the keywords.

I used upcycled denim jeans for the bottom, batik fabric for the top. I added some rickrack for a bit of fun and bling. The handle is cotton webbing with vinyl accent. A front zip pocket is handy for keys or phone.

The back side shows the straps for the backpack and the batik part is a padded shoulder pad for comfort. The bag has a main zipper closure.

Inside are 2 zipper pockets and 2 slip pockets that can be divided as you like. I always divide a pen pocket or two, which I did on the closer pocket, with a pen pocket on each outer side, leaving the center a large pocket. The other slip pocket I didn't divide at all, but placed a Kam snap to keep it closed so the pocket wouldn't droop and the contents wouldn't fall out.

My chair model, lol! 

Overall, it is a great looking bag that can be carried like a tote, worn like a backpack, over slung over one shoulder.  If you want the pattern, I guess you can do a search and see if it is available for sale yet? Or contact the designer? Maybe she had some issues and just never released it yet? I just wasn't sure if I would hear from her again, so I made a decision to post this.

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The Morphing Convertible Bag (size small)

A New Year and a brand new bag pattern just released from ChrisW Designs. Meet The Morphing Convertible Bag, that comes in a size Small and a size Large all included in the one pattern.

Finished size:

Large: Approx. 26cm (10") W X 36cm (14") H X 10cm (4") D.

Small: Approx. 20cm (8") W X 25cm (10") H X 8cm (3") D.

It is a convertible bag because you can make either size into a backpack that converts to a cross body bag, or just make it a cross body bag, which is what I did here with the small size I tested. 

This bag is made without any binding using Christine's awesome instructions for sewing the lining. 

The front of the bag is a great place for getting creative like I did by adding an appliqué bird. You could also feature a pretty panel that fits or all of you people that own embroidery machines, well so many wonderful embroidery designs could be embroidered on this bag.

The bag features a vertical hidden zipper pocket on the front of the bag, a top zipper closure, a phone pocket (or for keys) on the back (Christine's signature pocket that I absolutely love!), a zipper interior pocket. Add a slip pocket inside if you want to (inside slip pocket is not included in instructions and I found it's not really needed for this small size anyhow). Add a pair or just one (optional) grab handle on top (I didn't add it as I made this small just a cross body bag and not a backpack).

 I am selling this denim bag in my PayHip Shop. Thanks for looking.

Oops, I just noticed one of my little red crystals fell off! How did I not see that before? Well I will be fixing that right now, lol! I did noticed some of the crystals I have the glue on the back had fallen off and maybe I was trying to heat set it and it never had any glue there in the first place? I have never had a crystal fall off of anything ever before, so I am sure that's what happened, no glue, lol!

I made this bag using denim jeans.

I know the back side of the bag won't be seen when worn, but I wanted to make it look pretty too and I added a flower pentagon appliqué to the back of the bag, along with some crystals. 

This is the phone pocket on the back side of the bag, which is so handy and the pocket is padded to protect your phone too.

Inside the bag is a zipper pocket. You can add a slip pocket, (not included in the  instructions) if you want to add it. In the larger size bag Pocket Supplement A can be added to the inside of the bag, which you can purchase separately for a small fee (it's a great pocket to use when making any bag).

The side view of the bag shows the depth and a bit of the front hidden zipper pocket.

The bottom of the bag I quilted like this, but you can quilt it any way you want to hold the stabilizer in place. You can see the flat felled seam from the jeans I used to make this bag.

This bird appliqué is one of the bird die cuts from Crafter's Edge, designed by Sue Spargo. I love those funky birds!

You can get this pdf pattern for 15% off now through Thursday (Australian time). Use the code: 15offmorph. 

Or to save more and be the first to learn about new releases, sign up for ChrisW Designs newsletter and you will receive 20% off new releases, but you must sign up in order to get the discount. Go here and fill out the newsletter form on the right side of Christine's blog.

There will be a video for making this bag soon as Brandy Jackson of Beans Bags & Handicrafts Co. makes it.

See all of the testers bags, both small & large here. Christine brought on a lot of new testers this year and they all made some gorgeous bags, some making both sizes, so check them out. Sometimes seeing the fabrics chosen by a tester can make you really love the bag more than another fabric by another tester. 

I am now selling this bag in my PayHip Shop.

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Alice Bucket Bag by All Sew Petite

Hello my lovelies. This is the Alice Bucket Bag I tested for All Sew Petite recently. The pdf includes 2 versions: the Drawstring Cross Body Alice & the Backpack version with a flap. I chose to make the cross body version. To see all the tester's versions of the cross body or backpack versions go here.

For the cross body version, the bag features a drawstring closure and grommets for the drawstrings, a 3 dimensional outer zipper pocket that has card slot pockets inside, an adjustable strap, and full wrap around divided slip pockets inside to hold all kinds of things.

I decided to make this bag using a thin vinyl exterior (the floral print). I used cotton gingham for the accent, but first I painted on some Liquid Vinyl to make it like vinyl too. I used 2 coats of Liquid Vinyl. It's a great product from Therm-o-web. Read all about it here. Cotton fabric was used for the lining.

I enjoyed making this bag, but I had a brain fart moment! I somehow placed my exterior pocket on high, instead of low, on the bag! You will see the difference when you look at the other tester's bags. So I am calling it a design decision instead of a goof, lol! It does make it easier to zip and unzip and access the pocket being higher though, lol! The instructions are excellent as always with Monika's patterns & the video makes it even easier, especially if you are in question about something. If only there was a video when I was sewing that pocket! LOL!!! 

Alice Bucket Bag measures: 25 cm / 21 cm / 14 cm (9 7/8”H / 8 1/4”W / 5 1/2”D).

Skill level: Intermediate

So here is my pretty Alice:

I placed the zippered pocket up higher on the bag than it was supposed to be. Design feature? LOL!

On the cotton gingham fabric I used Liquid Vinyl on it so it feels like vinyl like the rest of the bag. It will keep it clean and waterproof too. 

I made a beaded zipper pull with a bag charm.

The grommets and drawstring closure.

Inside the outside zipper pocket are 3 credit card pockets. I chose to add this part against the outside of the bag so when it is unzipped the cards will face the wearer and it will be easier to access and see the cards. The directions have you place the card pockets against the bag, but you can certainly sew it how you like it like I did.

This bag opens nice and wide and will hold a lot in the main part of the bag. There are pockets that wrap around the sides and front and are divided as you like them (I divided into 3 pockets. There is also a key leash that you can clip to your keys and make it easy to find them later.

Side view.

The bottom view. You could add purse/bag feet if you like, but since is a cross body bag that will be hung up and it is vinyl, I decided to not add the feet.

There you have it. Monika of Sew All Petite has a YouTube channel of her patterns too, as well as some free patterns, so check out her channel and follow along on her video if you purchase Alice or any of her other pdf patterns.

Alice Bucket Bag pdf is on sale for 48 hours (UK time), so if you want to save a bit of money, grab this pdf while it's on sale. No code needed. Shop All Sew Petite here.

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Mini McFly Backpack in Hawaiian Print Fabric

Last month I tested the Mini McFly pattern for All Sew Petite. After I showed mine on my blog and social media, I received a request to make a custom bag and this Hawaiian print fabric was chosen for the main fabric, and I was free to choose the added the accent fabric and the lining fabric that I thought would work best with the main fabric. I love it when my customers have such confidence in my color choices that I will choose the best colors to enhance the main fabric.  (Well I am good with color if I do say so myself, lol). So here is the finished Mini Mcfly Backpack. I think it turned out great and my customer loves it so that's what really matters.

The I chose a turquoise waterproof canvas. The lining is a bit more blue than turquoise, but that's what they call it. It does look good and that's what matters most.

Plus a matching card wallet.

I have always loved this fabric print, but I think it looks so much better made into this backpack! It's like the fabric came more to life as a functional bag than as flat fabric yardage.

I don't have a model, so this chair is the best I can do, lol!

The backpack was received last week, so I am now able to share it here and on other social media too.

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The Mini McFly Backpack

I tested this Mini McFly backpack recently from All Sew Petite. For a limited time the pdf pattern for the McFly Backpack is on sale for £8.00 £6.40 (or about $8.80 in USD).

The measurements of the Mini McFly backpack:  25 cm / 31 cm / 13 cm (10” / 12 1/4” / 5”)

(The regular McFly backpack measurements: 31 cm / 36 cm / 15 cm (12 1/4” / 14” / 6”)

The pdf come with a regular size backpack and the mini size that I made too. The mini is the perfect size to carry for running about town, or on short hikes where you only need to carry a few items with you. The mini is still quite roomy inside and sports 2 exterior side pockets, a front zipper pocket and an interior zipper pocket with a divided slip pocket, making 2 slip pockets inside too. (I also added an extra front slip pocket to my bag behind the zipper, but that is not in the instructions). There is a hanging loop and 2 adjustable straps, and of course a zipper closure to close the main compartment. 

The bag is sewn in an ingenious way and there are no binding of any seams! I loved this so much, I am keeping this bag for myself!

I chose a large floral cotton canvas material for the main exterior fabric and a blue

 quilting cotton accent for the side pockets and straps and the back of the bag.

I made a zipper pull with beads and a charm in the shape of a hand that has handmade stamped onto it.

Side view showing more of the side pocket and the main zipper, also with a beaded zipper pull.

The main zipper is unzipped showing the inside of the bag here. I used a fuchsia color water proof canvas for the lining with the blue accent on the slip pocket and around the zipper. 

 A closer look at the slip and zipper pocket inside.

A label I added inside across from the pockets.

The back side of the bacpack

The backpack has an oval bottom, so it sits nicely. I didn't add purse feet to this bag, but you could.

If you want to make your own McFly Backpack or Mini Backpack, then buy your pdf pattern now while it's on sale. No code is needed to get the sale price, but time is limited for the sale. Go here to purchase pdf. Oh and there is a video in several parts showing you how to make this for the visual learners. So join Monika's YouTube channel.

Testers McFly makes HERE

If you would like me to make you a backpack, contact me and we can discuss it.

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