Friday, November 1, 2013

Big-City Bags from Sara Lawson

Oh boy, I can't tell you how excited I am to share this with you today.  I've been excited for over a year to share it!  Next week, the amazing Sara Lawson's book, Big-City Bags is finally (finally!) available!

Big-City Bags by Sara Lawson
From Big-City Bags by Sara Lawson, Martingale, 2013; used by permission. 
Photo by Brent Kane. All rights reserved.

I was so honored when Sara asked me to test one of her bag patterns (there are 12 in the book).  I had a really hard time choosing, but was ecstatic when she gave me my first choice, the Go-Go Bag.

Go-Go bag by Sara Lawson
From Big-City Bags by Sara Lawson, Martingale, 2013; used by permission. 
Photo by Brent Kane. All rights reserved.

I was nervous about making the bag since it included a twist lock (I usually stick with magnetic snaps), but Sara assured me I would have no trouble with it.  I remember sitting at my sewing table, literally shaking because I was so afraid of messing it up.  If you've never installed a twist lock before, you have to cut a hole in your pretty much completed bag to install the twist lock.  Err on the side of too small, you can always cut the hole bigger, but you don't want it too big so the lock falls out!  Sara's instructions for adding the twist lock are perfect (most locks don't come with instructions of their own), and once I got over the initial fear, it was actually super easy.  I've even installed one in couple other bags, and none of them have fallen out! 

As with all of Sara's patterns, the instructions in Big-City Bags are clearly written & easy to follow, even if you're doing something new like the twist lock.  Sara walks you through it so you'll feel like an expert, or at least not so afraid the next time!

Unfortunately even though I had my bag done in plenty of time, I wasn't able to get it sent to Sara in enough time to be included in the book.  I'm still kicking myself for that, but on the plus side I've been able to use it for the last year unlike everybody else who sent their bags in.  I absolutely love this bag!

Go-Go Bag

Go-Go Bag front

Sara was even great enough to send the fabric to use for the bag, and I fell in love with this Perfectly Perched by Robert Kaufman.  I even picked up some more to use in other projects!

So what are you waiting for, go pre-order your book right now, or head out Tuesday to pick up a copy for yourself.  You won't regret it!

Until next time...