It’s in the Bag – Island Batik Blog Hop

      41 Comments on It’s in the Bag – Island Batik Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Island Batik It’s in the Bag blog hop. In this blog hop the Island Batik ambassadors are featuring the new Island Batik Spring 2020 collections. Please visit the Island Batik blog to see all the beautiful new collections and other ambassador projects.

This time, we are all making bags using patterns by ByAnnie. The bag pattern I chose is called Got Your Back 2.1. It is a medium-sized backpack – perfect for a carry on bag. I’m not sure when I will be traveling again but I’m really looking forward to using this bag. The fabric collection I’m using is called Metropolis by Kathy Engle. It is an incredibly rich, warm palette with art deco vibes. My October project will use more fabrics from this collection along with coordinating Aurifil thread.

The bag kit came with the pattern, fabric and all the hardware needed to make this bag.

I am a relative beginner when it comes to bag making. However, the pattern is very well-written, with lots of details and tips. Most of the recent patterns come with a AddOn video demonstrating the tricky parts of the pattern. This was very useful to me.

Use ByAnnie patterns if you want something highly functional and useful. There are so much attention to detail that makes a very sophisticated project: plenty of pockets, hidden magnetic clasps, padded handles, beautifully shaped exteriors, clean interiors with no raw edges, adjustable straps, and so much more. And it is the most beautiful bag I’ve every created!

Some tips if you want to try ByAnnie’s patterns:
1. When you buy the pattern, buy all the hardware and accessories needed. The soft and stable (a kind of batting), their zippers, straps and especially their magnetic clasps are of excellent quality. (Also, get extra soft&stable and zippers. You will surely make more than one 🙂
2. Download their free pattern called Easy Does it and watch the free AddOn video for this. Watch all the tutorials. They are very useful. I wish I had time to make one Easy Does it before I started the backpack.
3. Use a topstitch or denim needle (100/16) in your sewing machine. I was able to sew most of the bag with a Schmetz Microtex 80/12 needle but needed the 100/16 needle for the final steps to put together all the layers and to sew the binding.
4. There are parts where you need to sew 6 layers of quilted fabric plus the straps plus the binding and some more. Your sewing machine may complain. Be kind to your machine and go very very slow. There were a few short stretches where I just used the hand wheel to get through one stitch at a time. But it can be done.

Not only do I have a beautiful bag, I learned a lot of things about bag making. Some features of ByAnnies patterns that I love are: 1. Use of soft and stable, which is lightweight but holds its shape very well; 2. No floppy linings – instead use binding in the inside of the bag to cover the raw edges; 3. Really efficient and clean way to sew on the zipper – it’s hard to describe but her technique covers the raw edges of the fabric and makes a neat topstitch line.

I learned so much in making this bag. There were moments of panic when things didn’t seem to match or the sewing machine protested too much. I was fortunate to get valuable advice from so many experienced Island Batik ambassadors and I’m so happy I was able to finish this project.

There are two giveaways. The first is from me for three rolls of Island Batik stash builders. Each roll has five 5″ strips. You need to follow my blog by email (Follow button on the right sidebar) or Bloglivin or follow me on Instagram. This is open for a week and I will pick a winner on September 24th.

The second giveaway is from Island Batik. It is for one FQ bundle of Lemon Grass and one FQ bundle of Mandala Magic. To enter, use the rafflecopter below. Visit the Island Batik blog and the blogs of all the ambassadors that are participating this week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 thoughts on “It’s in the Bag – Island Batik Blog Hop”

  1. Maryellen McAuliffe

    You did a beautiful job! I’m glad the larger needle helped, and using the handwheel. I switched to the walking foot and single needle plate, that helped me. I’ve done a few BOM’s and enjoy them.

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  5. Joyce Carter

    This is really a gorgeous bag. You did a great job making it. Thank you for sharing and for your giveaway.

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  7. rl2b2017

    Hi Vasudha! You have really made a beautiful bag – it looks professionally sewn. The fabrics are of course gorgeous and I really like how you’ve placed them. I haven’t made any bags beyond a simple tote but I will definitely check out ByAnnie patterns. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  8. Jennifer Thomas

    You bag is so gorgeous! You did an amazing job. I love the colors in this fabric collection, too. I made the other backpack, Out and About and was able to sew through the thick parts with a leather needle. Have a fabulous day!

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  9. thedarlingdogwood

    Beautiful! Next time I make an Annie’s bag, I’m going to try a denim needle. I may even need to go back over the binding of my Running with Scissors. I love the sophisticated look of this backpack in the Metropolis fabrics.

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  11. Kathy E.

    Who would ever know you made this bag yourself? It is gorgeous! You’ve given great tips that I’ll need to remember when I make one myself. This is one Annie pattern that I’d love…we are travelers and looking forward to getting back out there to our adventures! I am a Bloglovin’ follower of yours!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  16. Sandy Allen

    Oh, how pretty! It looks so roomy, too. If I ever get back to working in an office, this would be great for the commute! I’ve been working from home since March!

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  17. Janine

    Love your bag@ I have the soft & stable but have put off using it because I was afraid it would be too thick. Good to hear it went ok.

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  19. Beth Talmage

    Thank you for the advice on bag-making. I’ve only made little zipper pouches so far, but I think I’m ready to take the leap! I follow you on Bloglovin’.

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  23. Denise

    I’m a little behind with my blog visits but I didn’t forget you. The shell fabric is fabulous for a bag, I absolutely love this. Great post too, have a nice weekend.

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  24. Andrée G Faubert

    Hi Vasudha, what a great bag. I’ve done lots of sewing but bags scare me because you have to be so meticulous. That’s really not my strength. I am going to look at the free pattern and video because I love beautiful bags. it sure would be cool to make one. Thanks so much for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks. Take care.

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  26. Elizabeth V K

    Love all the earthy colors and patterns in the bag fabric. It will be wonderful when you are traveling or maybe even around town.

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  29. Pam

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful backpack! I’ve been thinking of making one and appreciate your thoughts and tips. I have to tuck this color combination into my memory – that zipper color and the mesh color are beautiful with this fabric. I never would have thought to put them together. I’ve been following you via Instagram and Bloglovin for a long time – thanks for all the colorful inspiration you provide!

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  32. inquiringquilter

    Lovely bag and so useful too. I’m making the smaller version, the Back at Ya 2.0 which I’ll debut next week. Love this collection! Metropolis looks so lovely in this bag. Can’t wait to see your October project.

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  37. sallymankefiberartist

    What a fabulous blog post and incredible bag. Love that you included all those great tips for using byAnnie.com patterns!

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