Amy Butler's Birdie Sling Pattern Review

I just made this bag as a gift for a friend of mine. I used a beautiful Robert Kaufman asian print with black linen for the handles. I did not have any trouble sewing the bag, everything went together well. I did sew it in small spurts over a few days.
It is BIG. I was surprised at how large it was. But, it is beautiful and makes such a statement. My friend loves hers ( or at least she says so  )

I'm trying to decide whether to make the Frenchy bag or the Birdie Sling bag.  I haven't seen either of them made up. I have a large floral bark cloth for the main part of the bag.  Any recommendations on which bag to make and what to use for interfacings, etc. with barkcloth.  The other fabrics will be regular weight Moda cotton. 

It is a BIG bag, but I love mine. It came together quite quickly once I finally cut out all of the pattern pieces. I took one evening to cut out the pieces and was able to sew it together in another evening. I get tons of compliments on my bag. I originally made it to use as a carry-on purse when I was traveling by plane a few months ago, but now I use it as my everyday diaper bag/purse. I would suggest a lighter color for the lining - I tend to lose things at the bottom of my bag because it is such a big bag. If I make it again, I will for sure be adding a little loop for my keys and a few more pocket options. Magnetic snap would also be a good idea to keep things from spilling out if you accidentally tip it over.

I am new to sewing and just found this site (which I love)...anyway, because it said "beginners", I attempted the slling bag...actually finished it, but found I didn't do so well with the matching of the band (or gussets)...thanks for the tips, and I will definitely try again

I just made this bag for the first time, and as everyone else says it is HUGE!  It's still kind of shocking after it's all done to see the finished size.  The patterns are very wordy, but I like that.  As you have probably read before there is a LOT of cutting involved. I had to Cut a few pieces and then walk away and come back several times.  But once you start to piece and sew it's pretty much a breeze. Totally worth all the effort    I give this pattern a thumbs up!!!

Check out my blog to see the finished product: www.handmade-oholic.blogspot.com

I did a little photo tutorial on my blog regarding the sewing of the gussets!!!  I know a few people have gotten stuck on these...

http://rosalindgracedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/birdie-sling-tutorial.html

All the bags you all made are lovely, thanks for the great tips!

I just finished this bag for a friend and after reading Irene's review decided to skip the fleece interfacing of the lining - I am so glad I did. I used decorator-weight fabric and I think it would've been too heavy with all of that interfacing. So I just used the lighter interfacing. I cut the pieces one night, ironed interfacing the next, sewed pieces together the third, and finished the 4th night so it didn't seem too bad to me. Overall it was very easy and hopefully my friend will enjoy it! Oh, I did put a 3-inch loop of ribbon in the lining so my friend could hang her sunglasses or her keys so they wouldn't get lost in this big bag!

I don't know how to post pictures on this or else I would post one! :-)

I made the same bag and basically had some of the same comments you had: takes a long time to make and it's very big. But, I still kind of like it:  http://kindershoponline.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-purse-for-me.html

OK just figured out how to post on my blog - just starting this blog thing. Here are pictures of the Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag...

http://partyoffiveandadog.blogspot.com/

Your bag looks great.  I love the colors.  Congrats on starting a blog and opening an Etsy Store!  Good Luck.

Hi,
I am a newbie I joined today.
I have made the Birdie Sling a couple of times. The first one I followed instructions to the letter. I would not use the fleece again, much to bulky. I added a magnetic closure, a key clip, and a zipper to the large inside pocket. The second bag I made out of corduroy and only interfaced the band and the handle. I made it for my niece and she loves it. There is  a correction on Amy Butler's website for the band, it was printed upside down in the pattern instructions.
My next project is The Lazy Girl Runaround bag.
Lizz

Here's the link to the pattern correction: http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/correction_bs.php
I've been planning to make this, and I've got everything but the fusible fleece.  But from the comments above, it sounds like I might not need it.  Hmmm . . .

Thanks for the review and tips!  This bad is in my queue of things to make this summer.  Everyones' bags look terrific!

Susan

Your bag is wonderful. I want to make one now.

There are some updates on the Amy Butler website for the birdie sling pattern. I think these updates may help with the weird issues. I saw it there when I was looking for corrections to the field tote pattern which has some unclear instructions regarding the interfacing and piping application.