I chose to sew this weekend. It felt so great to finish a project! Little sessions at the machine interspersed with reality.
The Birdie Sling by Amy Butler is a fun design. I haven’t made someone else’s pattern for a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a very simple pattern to make and I highly recommend it for beginning sewists. Very useful bag making techniques that are easy to accomplish make the process enjoyable.
A few thoughts:
- I used a directional fabric for the straps. This required me to alter the pattern by adding a seam at the top of the strap. This was really easy to do because the strap is actually printed as two pieces that you tape together and the overlap on Pattern Piece A is 1/2″ (instant seam allowance). I just cut out 4 of Pattern Piece A and sewed them together to form the pair.
- The instructions call for some very intense interfacing. I followed the directions and interfaced both sides of the straps and the upper bands with fusible. Same for the pockets.
- I deviated from the instructions and used a woven, sew-in interfacing for the both the lining and the exterior. I really dislike using fusible on an exterior bag fabric and I’m glad I didn’t do it here. The drape of the Echino linen is way too beautiful to ruin. If I make this pattern again I would consider dropping the sew-in interfacing for the exterior. I’m not sure it’s needed when using a mid-weight fabric.
- The instructions specify fusible fleece for the lining interfacing and fusible for the exterior. If you’ve made one of these using those materials please comment and let me know what you thought!
- I always check for pattern corrections before beginning a project (here’s a link to Amy Butler’s, most pattern designers have them on their webpages). There’s a new illustration for Step 6 which I’m glad I saw. The band has the wrong orientation in the pattern even though the written instructions are correct. I would have been scratching my head if I didn’t have the update.
- The curved gussets were a new technique for me. It adds a jaunty shape to the bag bottom, very fun.
- I found pinning and sewing the handles to be fussy. I clipped the handle center point 1/4″ and that helped. Ultimately they turned out just fine but it’s a weirdish angle.
- I skimmed the reviews at Pattern Review and took the suggestion to add a magnetic snap to the band. I used Linda’s (Craft Apple) fabulous Installing a Magnetic Snap tutorial and made mini-buttonholes for the prongs to go through. It was good practice for figuring out my buttonhole foot and I like the stability it adds to the fastener installation.
- Next time I would hand stitch the opening on the handle closed before topstitching. I didn’t like how the seam gaped open a bit. I slip stitched it closed after topstitching but it never looks as nice doing it after the fact.
- A 100 or greater sized Topstitching needle is a must have. There are a LOT of intense layers to sew through when finishing the bag handles and band. I also sewed the entire bag with my walking foot attached to the machine.
- Be sure to have matching thread on hand for all of your fabrics. There are steps where stitches will show on all fabrics.
- I used Echino Bird Perched on Beaded Web Yellow for the handle and band, Owl + Tiger on Flower Natural for the bag exterior, and Amy Butler Midwest Modern Honeycomb Aqua for the lining. Gutermann #820 was a PERFECT match for the yellow fabric.
Be sure to leave a comment if you’ve made this bag. I’d LOVE to see your bag or know your thoughts on the construction. Now off to try and get the next project on track!
I just love that bag with those fabrics, Kathy! So lively. By the way, thanks so much for the sweet fat quarter of the cars, trucks and buses fabric that you included with my order! I love it, and I’m sure it will find its way into our baby boy’s room!
Kathy, I love your fabric choices for this bag! Thanks much for your insights–I have the pattern but haven’t picked fabrics. So pretty!!
Well, you’ve inspired me. I’ve never made a handbag for myself, but this one really tempts me. Now, if I could just be sure mine would turn out as pretty as yours!
that looks so great! I’ve had that bag on my list for a while and I love it in that fabric. How would you do the handles differently?
I have made 8 of these bags it was a gift that i decided to make my friends for christmas, i would love to show them to you, i have a picture of five friends all lined up with thier bags coordinated to thier own tastes (they all knew exactly whos bag was whos) i love this pattern and finally finished my own sling on Sunday! the pattern is easy to modify, i added an adjustable strap, button closure, loop for my shopping bags, and two zippered pockets! I would also recommend this pattern and love the way your bag turned out!
What a great review. Thanks. Your bag is adorable, and looks so functional, too. I also bookmarked the magnetic snap tutorial—would definitely use that, too. Happy new year!
Your version of this bag is making me want to try it out for myself!! Really great!
SOOO Cute! Looks like a good size bag, too.
Love your fabric choices — I’ve really enjoyed the Amy Butler patterns I’ve made, it looks like I’ll have to try this one, too.
My fabric order came this week, and the fabrics are lovely. Thanks for the quick shipping!
I made the Birdie Sling last summer. Here’s the link to a photo of mine out of Anna Maria Horner fabrics. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_S99YzAVqYnk/SL2-riA2ZPI/AAAAAAAACCk/W9lTbDy8uBs/s1600-h/P1000611.JPG
I had no problems with sewing this bag but man – so much interfacing! Next time I think I’ll use some heavier dec. weight fabric and no or little interfacing. Love your choice of fabrics!
I just finished this bag, and as a novice sewer, I did okay. I used all the fleece and interfacing as instructed, and it is definitley a *solid* bag. I really like the drape of your, and the idea for a snap is a great idea. I blogged about it at : http://www.aspiringartistry.typepad.com/
I can’t say it enough, you have such a wonderful talent combining fabrics, this bag looks amazing!!!!
I love your birdie sling bag – turned out beautiful! I have the pattern but have not made it yet, so I really appreciate your review.
I made a laptop bag using fusible fleece on the outside fabric and on the inside fabric, which worked out very well. Wish I had a walking foot for that thickness!
Sarah: I don’t know how I’d do them differently. When you make the bag you’ll see what I mean. The shape of the end of the handle is a funky curve that goes in at the middle. The shape seems different to me than the shape of the band you’re attaching it to. It creates a beautiful flowing shape after it’s sewn but I found it awkward to pin and sew them together. Maybe clipping the handle in a few more places might have helped with easing in the fabric.
Emily C: This bag is HUGE! I showed the picture of me wearing it so you could see the scale.
Janet & Laura: Your bags are gorgeous! Now that I’ve made one I can’t get enough of looking at everyone else’s bags.
LOVE. THAT. BAG.
What a beautiful combination of fabrics you have chosen, and I too am glad you left the heavier interfacing off the exterior layer.
Gotta love a big bag with a round bottom!
I’m in the process of making this bag for the 2nd and 3rd time!! I love it. I give it as a gift to anyone I think will enjoy it as much as I have. I’ll have some pictures of one posted on my blog within the next few days. I love the fabric you chose!!
I love this bag – your fabric choices are great!
That is a beautiful bag. The fabric is so pretty! Would love to have one of those. Congratulations on your good work!
It looks so awesome! Now I want to make one…
Beautiful fabrics! I am now adding this to my list of things to make, it will be great to have all your notes whenever it is that I get around to it!
Lovely, lovely, lovely!! That bag and fabric is wonderful, you always put together the best fabrics!
very, very cute! that bag has a nice shape to it too.
What happy vibrant color choices.
I too made 2 of these bags and on one I thought something was wrong with step 6 and unfortunately didn’t notice til I got done cramming it on wrong!Guess I was tired that day.
i might have a p[icture on my flickr site if not I’ll try and get one up there.
flickr/andreacreates
Fantastic!!!!
Love your bag – those new Echino prints are fabulous! Now that I’ve seen yours, I’m tempted to try another one using heavier weight fabric (and less interfacing!). I made one using Amy Butler fabrics for a friend this past summer – it’s blogged here if you want to see it.
Looks great! Hope you get lots of use out of it!
I’ve had this pattern for a while now too….after reading your post and all the comments, that is going to be my next project. Thank yo for the good review and the suggestions. You always pick such good combinations, it’s beautiful.
I love your Sling Bag. I’ve never made a bag; always end up with a store bought black leather tote. But now that I’ve seen yours and all the other versions out there, I just might have to take the leap. Thanks for the Pattern Review link.
I was so interested to see your post about the bag as I have just finished one. I am so disappointed with mine as I used a medium fusible interfacing and the feel of the exterior is not nice. I am making another and using a layer of calico instead of interfacing to give it a bit more substance . Any ideas what to do with the first attempt – can it be rescued? I certainly wont be using fusible interfacing again!
Your bag looks lovely! I actually have this bag on my cutting table right now (although using different fabrics). Hoping to finish it sometime today or tomorrow, depending on how much time I have
i love the fabrics you have chosen… won’t have thought to put them together. Thanks for always stretching my creative mind. and now i go to make the same thing!
I love it! It’s perfect, the fabric is absolutely gorgeous and the colors are so fun.
Thanks for this Kathy! I was wishing I had of found it before I made my sling! oh well. I included a little photographic tutorial of how to sew the gusset as I got a bit stuck and couldn’t find any online help.
What a timely post for me! I have been working on this bag over the weekend into this week. I’m using all Daisy Chain fabrics on the three bags I am making. Unfortunately I missed the error in the pattern until I’d stitched AND topstiched the bands to all of the panels and even stitched the two exterior panels together. Something just wasn’t sitting right so I checked the AB website. So tonight I have a glass of wine and a seam ripper. I’m using the interfacings suggested in the pattern so I’ll let you know how they feel when it’s all put together. So far I can say they feel very solid but I’d probably prefer not to use all of that , especially on the exterior. I’ll update with pictures of the first bag in a few days if my babies comply with my schedule!
I feel inspired! Beautiful fabric! I love that you used three different fabrics. I want to make this bag and send you a photo… Soon!
Great bag! I love all the fabrics. You are so inspiring!
Fabulous bag! I love the fabric choices.
Love the fabric combination — it looks wonderful! I did a version using the Amy Butler fabric and I think I’ll try a second one again this weekend! http://libriedangeli.blogspot.com/2008/08/sewing-bridie-sling.html
I’ve made several of the Birdie Slings. I had NO idea about the corrected instructions for the band, so THANK YOU for pointing that out, I would have never known! I use interfacing on the whole bag, but have slightly changed which kinds I use. First off, if I remember correctly, the pattern piece for the band says you need to cut 6 pieces of interfacing when there are only 4 bands. I never cut 6. lol I also love the fusible fleece for the inside of the bag… I love how plush it makes it. I try to find the thinnest available so it’s not too bulky. I use a pretty stiff interfacing for the handles, since that’s what gets the brunt of use. I have switched to using a light to mid-weight fusible interfacing on the exterior panels, just so it’s not so stiff. It makes it easier to work with as well. It still takes me about 6-8 hours to make the bag, from cutting to completion. There are SO many steps. I’ve made I think 7 of them? I have 2 more waiting in my projects box. lol I’ve also started completing various parts of the pattern before their step so it was easier to get done. I sew the handle first, so once the main panels of the bag are done, it’s ready to finish once the handle is sewn to the sides. Also, I have never been able to understand how to get the handle sewn on by following the instructions, so I sew the handle on the right side according to the directions, then line it against the bottom of the bag and sew the left side to the left side of the bag. Then when I pull the bag through the lining, the handle is completely attached and all that’s left is the top-stitching. Does that make any sense? LOL Love how your bag turned out!
Here’s mine:
http://saidosdaconcha.blogspot.com/2008/08/birdie-sling.html
I love yours and enjoyed reading all your comments! It’s so helpful when people share their insight. I should do that more often!
Hi,
I made the Frenchy bag about a year ago and followed the instructions exactly. I found that the level of interfacing is far too high. My Frenchy bag can out far too rigid and as you said, I lost the drape of my fabric. If you accidently creased the bag it ws a bit like creasing a bit of paper, it became a permanent crease. With the next bag I left out the iron on interfacing altogether and used a sew-in fleece interfacing which is soft , helps to keep the bag’s shape but is not as rigid as a surf board!! I have the Birdie Sling bag but not yet started it so many thanks for this post!
I Love your blog too.
AWESOME!! I love this bag. Retrofied on Etsy made a diaper bag for me me with the same fabric. I love your shop! Cynthia
Wow, what a beautiful linen bag. I have made this using the fusible fleece on the exterior and I found it lovely and ‘cushiony’. I liked it so much I decided to use it on the handles too which makes for comfortable shoulders. I used normal interfacing on the lining and pockets. My stitching leaves much to be desired so I enjoyed topstitching but itched to get the bag finished.
I love my bag too!
I found that when I made my handles I could turn it without leaving the side open. I sewed both sides completely and turned it right side out. It was a bulky turn but then I didn’t have to hand stitch it. The magnetic clasp is perfect!
Thank you so much for posting this, it came in really handy. I finished mine a few hours ago. Yours is beautiful – love the fabric combination!
um hi do you still have the pattern? I really need it for a school project if you do good and have a scanner could you please email it to me at saraleena@rocketmail.com or do you know where I can find the pattern for free cause I live in New Zealand and they don’t sell it here lol
I’m a bit late to the conversation, but wanted to let you know I’ve made about 8 of these bags and I’ve always used the fusible interfacing and the fusible fleece. I really like it and I like the stiffness of it-for me as a beginner it was much easier to work with then the sew in and I used quilting cotton so it needed to be heavier. The handles are very oddly shaped and I’ve been cutting them straighter on the ends it just makes sewing them in a lot easier for me. As a beginner this was a great first real bag for me-as soon as I put pictures up on Facebook my friends were calling me asking me to make them one!
I just finished my birdie sling and I used the fusible interfacing and fleece as suggested on the pattern. I did like the fusible fleece, but the interfacing was so stiff I think it did alter the drape of the fabric. I was going along fine until I hit the last step and just could not figure out what the directions meant by “tuck the handle between the two layers.” I ended up tucking the handle wrong, and when I flipped the bag inside out the handle was down in between the lining and the exterior. After much seam ripping, I just folded down the seam by hand and topstitched around the top of the band. What did I do wrong?