My first Amy Butler Weekender Bag

I thought I'd add yet another Weekender to the gallery of Weekenders that are on the web.  Every blog or comment I read about the Weekender talked about the hours of frustration, needle pricks, piping!, and layers...but they also boasted of how cool the finished product was and how worth it it was.  I would have to say that my sentiments are the same as everyone else.  I did break 1 needle.  I had to rip seams and re-sew so many times that I needed a second spool of thread.  But I am so proud of the finished bag.  I would consider myself a beginner considering I had no idea how to use a sewing machine a few months ago and only having sewn a simple pillow case, tote bag, pajama pants, and Amy Butler goddess apron before sewing my Weekender.  It probably took me close to 40 hours to make (cutting, sewing, seam ripping, re-sewing, pressing, etc) and I probably spent $100 on fabric and notions.  But it was totally worth it!  I'm excited about making another one for my friend...hopefully it won't take as long the second time around and hopefully I'll get around to posting step-by-step comments and photos for any of you beginners who are intimidated by this pattern!

Wow!  You've got perseverance!  And what an great finished project - totally worth the effort!

Oh My Gosh!  You did a great job.   Your bag turned out great.  I am very impressed.  Dog is pretty darn cute too.

Great job on a gorgeous bag.  I love all the fabrics you choose.  You certainly are an experienced sewer now!

It is lovely!  Good job sticking with it.  I'm sure you could tackle any bag after that!  What is the lining fabric? 

Oh its so beautiful & well worth the trouble that it gave you! The second one will be much easer indeed!!

Fantastic job!  I love the fabrics!  I also love finished projects posed with pets!   Congratulations on a job well done, and proving that you don't need tons of sewing experience to successfully make this bag.  I highly recommend making a Sophia Carry-All to match.

Wow.  That looks fantastic.  You will now enjoy it oh so more since you worked so hard.  Way to stick to it.  I bet you learned a whole lot too.  Very nice job and I LOVE the fabric you chose for it.

exterior: Bright Buds (color: moss) from Amy Butler's August Fields collection
piping and lining: Sunrise (color: ivory) from Amy Butler's August Fields collection

WOW that is beautiful well done, you have inspired me to try making one too !!

That turned out so great!  I haven't braved the Weekender Bag yet, even thought I've had the pattern in my stash for a LONG time.  Hopefully it's easier the second time around

You did a wonderful job. The great thing about the Amy Butler patterns is that the final products are so worth the hassles of broken needles and resewing piping two and three times. I just finished the field tote and was complimented by a hugely critical person who said my sewing looked professional. (I've been sewing casually for about two years.)

Awesome job!!!  You must have some natural talent going on to do such a difficult pattern so soon into your sewing experience!!!   

Beautiful!  I just started my first Weekender Bag, and hope it comes out half as great as yours looks!

Excellent job! I think you have motivated me to finish the one I and my daughter cut out when there was snow on the ground