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’m making my first Birdie Sling bag. On Step #6, the main panel is a lot more the 1/2 inch wider on each side when placing the bottom edge of the band to the top edge of the main panel. Anyone have any suggestions?
I love these bags! I just ordered my fabric and I can’t wait to make it! I didn’t want to buy so many, but there all just so dang cute!!! Did anyone do 3 fabrics(one for the inside) or just use the same one for the sling on the inside? Are you supposed to put a pocket inside? I don’t know if I want to buy or make one because they have little compartments inside the store bought ones. I think I’ll stick to making it for the experience! I love these so much! It’s a cute beach bag, too!
I sewed my first birdie sling yesterday and you are more than welcome to pass by my blog and take a look!
I really enjoyed reading this post – thanks for sharing your thoughts! I will definitively new more of these shoulder bags.
Best wishes from Germany, Anita
I enjoyed reading your review and your thoughts. I made this bag a few months ago and love it. However, I think the pockets are a little to deep and it is a little interfaced crazy. I am about to remake this pattern with adjustable straps, thicker lining (no interfacing) and not so deep pockets. Hopefully it works just as good!
Hi Kathy-
I’ve made this bag three times now, and I find the pattern is easier each time. Yes, the interfacing maybe a little over the top but I do like the strength it gives the final product.
I’ve made two of these bags as gifts. One as a “diaper bag” for my cousin. I made a changing pad and a couple of other items to match the bag. I’ve also made it for a dear friend to tote her cross-stitching. I use my own for my hand-quilting class supplies.
I added a magnetic snap closure to my last bag. I also added a key-clip as the bag is so deep smaller items swim around the bottom and are difficult to find. I’d love to show them to you, but I’m not sure how to link them here…
Hi Amanda,
If the photos are on Flickr just include a link in your comment, I’d LOVE to see them!
xo Kathy
Hi there!
I’ll try and take two pictures to post so you can see the difference.
I have made this bag two times now using Amy Butler’s fabrics….both look great and I get complements all the time! The last one I made I used the fusible fleece and interfacing just like the pattern requested. However, I think it would be better without the fusible fleece! It’s very thick and I like the first bag I made without it…it just seems to drape better. Also, I modified the straps on my first bag and made it exactly as the pattern requested on the second. I like the first one better with thinner straps. It’s just easier to get into. I did change the pockets as well and voided out some of the bottom so I could put in my cel phone and not have it so deep…I luv it!
I had not sewed anything for years when I decided to try this pattern. I let my teenage niece choose the fabrics since I had decided to gift her with the finished product. I am at best a slow, methodical person. I spent three weeks on this project. I must say I was surprised and very pleased with the results. I managed to understand the directions and control the sewing machine despite my age and lack of experience. My niece loves it and says her friends are pestering her for one just like it. A great pattern for a not so confident seamstress.
I skipped some of the interfacing directions as well and used Pellon 926 throughout. I also shortened the bottom about 2 1/2 inches because I didn’t want such a deep bag. I’m happy with mine as well. The fabric on mine is Tula Pink’s Prince Charming. Photo is here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zig-Zag/132148666855679