Amy Butler's Birdie Sling Pattern Review

 

I've made this bag a couple times and wanted to share some quick thoughts and tips. 

• This is a BIG bag.  If you use heavy weight fabric, be prepared for a heavy bag.  I made the first bag with home dec weight fabric and the second bag with regular weight cotton fabric.  Personally, I like the feel of the second bag with the lighter fabric.  The first bag seems too thick and formal for me.
• Each time, this pattern took me all day to make!  Literally all day due to cutting out of all the pieces, interfacing, ironing, pleating and sewing the whole thing together.  Give yourself 4-5 hours to make this.
• There's something funky with the pleated main panel not matching the top band well.  (The main panel is wider than the top band piece.)  Each time it hasn't matched up well and the pattern instructs you to pivot at the joint, but it looks funny.  I recommend trimming the main panel to fit the top band and sewing a straight seam instead.
• I added a magnetic snap to the first bag and love it.  The pattern doesn't call for one and the other bag doesn't have one, but it seems fine as well.  My sister wanted the snap and I thought it was a good idea.
• The pleats, top band and handle are PERFECT.  I love the feel of the handle on my shoulder.  It sits very well and does not move or wrinkle up.
• You can fit a ton into this bag.  It takes just about everything in my diaper bag and still has room for make-up.  My mother took hers overseas and hauled it around the open-air markets.  She could fit all of her purchases into it easily and she looked cute to boot!  (She even had a couple ladies offer to buy it off her.)

Overall, I would recommend this pattern due to her clear instructions and the bag's great size and shape.  If you're looking for a stylish to-the-market type bag, this is the one for you! 

http://www.sewmamasew.com/ccp0-prodshow/PTAMBS.html

Thanks so much for the great review.  Your bags look great!

Those bags look great!  Thanks for the review.  I'm in the midst of this project, actually, and it took me a good hour just to iron on the interfacing and fusible fleece.  I'll pick up with the project again soon because I desperately need a larger bag to carry around all of my son's toys and snacks, etc.   

Your bags are beautiful!  I also made this pattern, but I reduced the pattern pieces since I didn't want it quite so big. 

thanks for the review and the pictures!  i love the bags you made!  big bags are right up my alley!

Thanks for all the tips about the bag, I just got this pattern in  the mail today and can't wait to start it!!

  I made this bag recently and i just love it! Like you say BIG!!! I would suggest a lighter interior. I stuff mine full and much easier to find "treasures" in the lighter interior bag.

Thanks for posting the great notes!  I'm getting ready to make one and now your comments will help!!!!
Love SEWING!  --Maggie

Nice review.  I've made this pattern twice, and agree that it is quite a time investment to cut, iron and interface each piece.  Actually, once you have finished cutting it out, the sewing goes pretty quickly. 

The only problem I ran into was that I found it difficult to stitch through so many layers in the final topstitch.  Maybe a walking foot would make it easier?  The only modification I made was to add a magnetic snap, as one of the other posters mentioned.

As I said, I've made two of these bags, both as gifts.  Both ladies have received many, many compliments and have been chased down to ask where they got the bag.  Perhaps because of its size, it is quite eye-catching.  I used fabrics from the Alexander Henry "Indochine" series. 

I plan to make another for myself, but might omit the fusible interfacing.  I think it adds too much bulk and weight.

i made this bag last week intending to use it for a trip to the Cape.  as i am only 5 feet tall and very petite, i was a little sad at how BIG this bag came out!  i guess i should have looked at the measurements before i started it, but i couldn't resist making it- i love the shape and styling of it all.  i posted pics of the long (two day) process of making it.  i've made her Frenchy bag, and find it a little more "just my size."

you can find my posting here if you are interested.http://birdandsquirrel.blogspot.com/2008/08/bird-is-word.html

I'm so glad to all the suggestions for this bag.  I made the Nappy Bag using the three layers and was disappointed in how heavy that bag turned out. I also like the comparison to the Frenchy Bag; I found that bag a little small, especially in the opening area so hopefully the Birdie Sling is just what I need.

Thank you for the review!  Your bags look great.

Christina

Thanks for the review! Beautiful bags!

I'm glad you mentioned that about the main front panel not matching up to the band- I thought it was just something I was doing wrong!

I also added a magnetic snap to mine- so much more secure! I made mine in heavyweight wool fabrics- I broke a needle sewing the bag, but I loved the look- I will probably do my next bag with thinner fabrics, though.

Yours came out so cute!

Gorgeous bags! Thanks for the pattern review. I am just getting back into sewing and getting excited about all the great patterns out there - love the bags!!!