This project was an amazing beginning and a bittersweet end at the same time.
One of my favourite pattern companies is oliver + s. They have the cutest children’s patterns and each one is like a mini sewing lesson. I have sewn these patterns for my kids for years, but the last kid just grew out of the largest children’s size. But before packing all those patterns up (at least for a while), I used one to help my youngest with one of her first sewing projects – a bag.
The pattern is the messenger bag by oliver + s. I have the book, little things to sew, which includes the pattern, but you can also buy it as a stand alone pattern.
This is a really cute pattern, for a lined bag with two cargo-style pockets in the front, each with a flap, and two small pockets on each side. Of course, you can always add more features, but this was a beginning sewist project.
This is the small size, which is meant to be a child’s messenger bag, but works well as a cross-body bag for a tween. It carries a notebook, a water bottle, and a card game, or a heap of cuddly friends.
The outer fabric is the Wilo utility cotton twill in sienna rose from the Fabric Club. The inside is quilting cotton in Bears by Crissie Rodda for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. The pattern calls for a half-yard of each, but there will be almost enough left over to make another bag.
We used cream bias tape throughout. The strapping is matching cream-coloured cotton webbing. There are chrome strap adjusters. The final touch is one of the badges that The Fabric Club sells, in the shape of a cat.
My tween did all the tracing, cutting, ironing, hardware installation, and most of the sewing. I helped with the bias binding. There is quite a bit and it’s a little tricky to get right when you are small, and just learning to sew.
This project took a bit of time, but the results are definitely worth it. It’s an excellent design, and the instructions are amazing (as usual with oliver + s). And best of all, it gets a lot of use. I would strongly recommend the pattern, especially for beginning bag-makers looking to make something really unique.
Summary
Pattern Review: The messenger bag by oliver + s.
Fabric: Wilo utility cotton twill in sienna rose from the Fabric Club. The inside is quilting cotton in Bears by Crissie Rodda for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.
Notions and Equipment: Bias binding, metal strap adjusters and a patch.
Size: small.
Cost: Book: This was a gift, but the book little things to sew retails for about $30. Fabric and hardware: About $20.
Sewing Level: Intermediate according to the pattern-maker, and I’d agree.
Modifications: None.
Results: Purrrrfect!
