Convertable Bag Pattern--By Mrs. H.

Hello everyone!  This fun very useful bag is March's pattern from Bag of The Month Club.   Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this Bag of the Month Club!  Best present to myself EVER!  This Convertible Bag Pattern is from Patterns by Mrs. H. 

Convertible? You may be asking yourself?  YES!  This bag can be carried three ways!  On the shoulder, cross body or as a backpack!  LOVE IT!

So, once again, I was playing around.  I added the bow on the flap.  I wasn't so sure I liked the bow--after I was done.  So I tried the flower on the bow.  Well, I think I like the flower a little better--check with me a little later...I might change my mind.  HAAAAA!

This is the front of the bag with the flap open.  It has a nice big pocket on the front.  The pattern calls for a "thumb catch" closure.  When searching online I also found them to be called "Tuck Lock Clasps."  Instead, I used a twist lock closure.  Since I changed the closure I also had to change the way I put it together.  I sewed around the sides and bottom of the front pocket right sides together.  Leaving the top edge unstitched.  I then pressed the seam allowance along the top edge then clipped the corners and around curves then turned right side out--tucking in the top edge.  I then pressed this really well.  I placed and pinned the pocket on the bag according to directions.  Then I decided where on the flap I wanted to place the twist lock opening.  I attached that part on the flap.  I then roughly figured out where on the front pocket I'd need to place the lock part of the twist lock.  On mine I figured about 1" higher than the pattern.  Mine was about 2 1/2" from the bottom of the front pocket.   I marked the prong placement.  I then marked on the front of the bag where my pocket was placed, removed it, and carefully cut through ONLY the top layer of the front pocket.  NOT the lining.  I then added my interfacing square, my fray check,  and the lock and washer part of the twist lock.  Then I edge stitched along the top edge.  I placed it back on the bag front and continued as per the instructions. 

This is the inside of the bag.  There is a nice divided slip pocket on one side and a zippered pocket on the other side.   

This is the back of the bag.  There is also a nice zippered pocket on the back!  SQUEE!  :)   You can tell that the strap is attached at the sides--for the shoulder and or cross body options. 

Here is the bag with the straps to make a backpack  The other slight change I made was since my strap hardware was slightly wider than the instructions, I also had to adjust the back tunnel piece to accommodate the wider strap. 

That's all for now!

 

ENJOY!