The Lunar Collection Travel Bags by ChrisW Designs

The Lunar Collection of Travel Bags is the last bag in the Bag-of-the-Month Club for 2016; designed by Christine of ChrisW Designs. I was one of several testers for this bag collection and I chose to test the large version or Full Moon. Don't you love the name (he he)? The Full Moon is not only large, it's huge! After I made the bag, you know what Christine did? She added a third size! So with this pattern you get the large (Full Moon), medium (Half Moon) and small (Quarter Moon) size all in one pattern! Wow that's a great deal. Christine designed this for the Bag-of-the-Month Club (BOM) which runs from January-June each year. So if you want this pattern now you can purchase the BOM now and you will receive all 6 bag patterns from 6 different designers, or you if you can wait, this pattern will be released for individual sale starting July as will all the bag patterns from each designer in the BOM club. Christine also added another pocket supplement for the inside (after I had made my bag) so you will have even more pockets, if you want to add more pockets inside, which some of the testers did.

The pattern is designed with a luggage sleeve on the back to slide over your rolling suitcases. I decided not to add the luggage sleeve to mine as I do not have rolling suitcases and I don't travel much anymore. So I sewed that sleeve inside my bag and turned it into a pocket instead. I love the large drawstring side pockets and the front pocket too. I made my flap larger so that I could quilt a flower design on the flap. You can use the carry handles or clip on the strap for wearing on your shoulder or across your body. I made my strap narrower because I only had a narrow swivel hook. I probably wouldn't use the long strap anyhow.

Some of the testers used faux leather as the accent on the bottom and for their straps, which is a nice touch too. You need to see all the testers bags to see how great they look in the different sizes and fabrics they chose too.

Here's my bag and I just love it!

I quilted a free-motion flower on my flap that I made larger.

I forgot to put on the cord stops when I took this photo. I have since put the cords stops on the drawstrings, which makes it easier than tying a bow, lol!

This is the back of the bag where the luggage sleeve would go if I added it. But I wanted my pretty floral print to show more and I wouldn't use the luggage sleeve so I left it off.

Zippered inside pocket with the floral fabric as the lining.

I turned the luggage sleeve into a slip pocket, which is the black pocket across from the zippered pocket.

Since I have small hands, I folded my handles in half and stitched them in the center where I grab the handles. It fits my hand so much better that way.

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Bag-of-the-Month for May~ The Poolside Tote

The Poolside Tote is the bag for the month of May and it's a great looking super roomy tote! Designed by Anna Graham of Noodlehead. You don't need a pool or even the beach to enjoy this fabulous bag. I'll use this tote for my new library bag and for schlepping stuff to the groups I belong to. Lol!!

As usual I made a few changes. I did add fusible fleece to my bag and interfacing to the lining fabric, since I still felt they needed more substance to the bag, even though I used home decor weight fabrics. I wanted a closure to the bag, so I made a tab with a magnetic snap closure. If I make the bag again I might just add the magnetic snap to the lining without adding a tab. I also added an inside pocket and I chose to add both the slip in pocket as well as the zipper pocket. I added the zipper pocket on the the back of the bag. I sewed the swivel hook for holding keys to the inside of the bag instead of the outside of the bag.
If you want to see all the bags that were made from others go to the Flickr Group here. Check Flickr often because new bag photos are added often.

Front of the tote with the slip pocket. I added the tab with the magnetic snap closure.

The back of the tote with the zippered pocket.

The pocket I made for the interior of the bag. I sewed 2 pen pocket dividers on the right.

Swivel hook I added to the inside of the bag to hold my keys.

Side view of the tote.

Click here to find out more info about the Bag-of-the-Month Club

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For Bag Lovers...

This is straight from Sara's blog Sew Sweetness~

Introducing the Bag of the Month Club!!

6 of the best bag sewing pattern designers in the business are teaming together to bring you a 6-month membership club. The club runs from January-June of 2014. Each month, you will receive an exclusive and brand-new pdf bag sewing pattern from that month's designer, delivered directly to your inbox. If you are familiar with even one of the designers, then you know that you can expect a high-quality and easy-to-understand sewing pattern each month! In addition to that, we'll also be sharing with you our personal tips and tricks to bag-making!

If you love to make bags (like I do) then head on over to Sew Sweetness and you will find all the details and who the bag designers are (they are all awesome!) and if you sign up during December and you save $5.00 off the already low price. I can't wait to see the bag are each month, can you?
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