I have been looking for the perfect sling bag, but they are always never quite right. Good thing I know how to sew!
My needs are pretty simple. I just want to be able to carry the basics without a lot of extra weight, keep everything zipped up for security, and keep everything dry on the occasional hike in the woods.
I chose the Sandhill Sling pattern by Noodlehead Patterns. It’s just the right size. It can carry all my daily basics, and then some. It also can fit an iPad mini (or an e-reader)!
The pattern is excellent in every way. The instructions are incredibly clear, and there is a sew-along with YouTube videos, photos, blog posts, and illustrations. It even has links/QR codes at key points that lead you right to those videos.
The bag comes with an outer zip pocket, and a main compartment with an inside pouch pocket. But if you are making the bag, you can always add extras. I added a swivel cord attachment for my keys, and a carry handle.
The outside fabric is black waxed cotton canvas, which is “cotton impregnated with a paraffin or natural beeswax based wax”. It’s water-resistant, but it feels dry and not at all sticky. Over time, it develops a distinctive worn-in appearance and patina.
This is my first time sewing with cotton canvas. It’s very odd fabric to sew with. In some ways it’s extra easy to work with, because it folds almost like cardboard and stays put. That’s good, because you can’t iron it.
It’s also a 441 gsm (13 oz/yard), which is really heavy fabric. There is one point where I needed to sew through 8 layers of it, and my sewing machine needed a tiny bit of encouragement, but she pulled through! I used a 16/100 jeans needle and that was about right.
The pattern calls for 0.53m of fabric for the outer bag, so I bought 1m which was wider than quilting cotton, and there is so much left! If you cut this carefully, with the accuracy you would cut fabric for a quilting project, there will probably be some extra for another project.
I chose black because I wanted a black bag, because that’s the colour of my soul! It also coordinates with my wardrobe really well. If I used a different colour the waxed cotton look would be a bit more visible.
I’ve used hardware in a colour called gunmetal because there was no black. But I’ve brightened it up with electric blue zippers.
If there is one thing I hate, it’s a black bag interior (how can anyone find anything in there?). So, I’ve used bright lime green quilting cotton for the interior. This was in my deep, deep stash.
There is also a bit of bright blue grosgrain ribbon I used to make the swivel cord attachment for my keys, and a tag on the front of the bag. This came from a deadstock non-profit fabric shop.
I am super happy about how this turned out. It’s a pretty heavy-duty bag but it doesn’t feel heavy when you wear it.
If I had to make it again, I might add an interior zipper pocket. I didn’t think the iPad mini would fit, but now that I do, I would add padding to the interior pouch pocket. I’d add a bit more topstitching, because it will produce a bit more of that crumply waxed canvas look over time. I’d also use a smoother, seatbelt-style webbing, and use that for the handle as well as the strap. But these are very small changes. This bag is amazing. I really love it.
I like the results so much, that I’m thinking about making another, which is good because there are already people at my house asking me when they can have a bag like mine.
Summary
Pattern Review: Digital Sandhill Sling by Noodlehead Patterns, available in just the one size.
Fabric: Waxed cotton canvas in black from Blackbird Fabrics for the outside. The inside is made with quilting cotton. The print is from the Jack & Jenny collection by Laurie Wisburn for Robert Kaufman from my deep stash.
Notions and Equipment: Needle: jeans 16/100. Zippers and bag hardware in “gunmetal” colour from Wawak. I also used some grosgrain ribbon from Our Social Fabric. The smaller swivel hook was left over from a previous project. I didn’t use interfacing.
Size: One size.
Cost: Pattern: $10 USD. Fabric: About $40. Webbing: $3. Hardware: About $15. Although there is enough of the hardware for a second bag, and enough fabric for three.
Sewing Level: Advanced, if using waxed cotton canvas. Average, otherwise.
Modifications: I added a swivel cord attachment for my keys, and a carry handle.
Results: Amazing!
