Lucy's Beach Bag Pattern Review

Hello from New Hampshire!

I'm in New Hampshire, visiting my brother and SIL at their new lake home.  We're having a family gathering to celebrate my parents' 70th birthdays this month.  It seems apropos to be blogging about Lucy's Crab Shack fabric while I'm here!  LOL.

Last month's Label Crew project from Sweetwater was this wonderful beach tote bag called Lucy's Beach Bag.  The Label Crew project came with the pattern, a couple of iron-on labels, and a name label.  I ordered all the fabric from fatquartershop.com and made this bag from it.  I tell you, I cannot get enough of Lucy's Crab Shack fabric! LOVE IT!  I think this bag turned out really cute.  I'm really happy with it!  The outer part of the bag is made from canvas.  It feels very sturdy.  I love that.

The bag has two outer pockets.  I put one label on each outer pocket.  Here is one.

And here is the other.  Too cute!  I still have two more labels that came with the Label Crew kit.  I'll use them with something else. 
I put the name label (I whited out my last name on this label in the photo) on the inside of one of the handles.  I thought it woudl be nice to have my name on my bag in some conspicuous spot in case it gets misplaced.

The lining is made from a plastic coated canvas that coordinates with the outer fabric.  I love how that makes the inside sort of water proof.  I have already used the bag several times, and it's just a great size and holds just the right amount of stuff.

I took this photo of the bag with nothing in it to show you how the bag stands upright all by itself, even without anything in it. I always like a bag like that!  Sweetwater had suggested using a product called Soft and Stable By Annie (at byannie.com) in place of a stabilizer or batting.  I had never used this product before, and I thought it would be fun to try it.  So, I did.  I liked the product.  As you can see, it gives the bag enough strength to stand upright, but it's not overly stiff.  It still feels a little "squishy," like batting might, but it certainly has more stability.  And it was not difficult to cut or to sew through.  I will definitely use this product again.  In fact, if I were to make the Metro Slouch Bag again, I would probably use this product in it.  I thought it worked out great.

As far as a pattern review for this bag....As always with Sweetwater projects, I thought the pattern was well written and easy to follow.  I'm amazed at the simplicity of the bag pattern these gals put together and the professional finish that you get from such a simple pattern.  This bag was a little bit more difficult to make than some of the others I've made, but not much.  The only thing that was a little tricky was that there were a couple of areas (e.g., side seams) where there was quilte a bit of bulk to sew through, with the stabilizer and all.  Also, there is a little bit of hand sewing around the top band of the binding.  Hand sewing through the canvas was just a little more difficult than sewing through quilting cotton, but it was not too bad.  I would give this pattern a rating of advanced beginner to early intermediate for bag making.  It is not difficult to make at all, it is just a little difficult to sew through all the layers in a couple of spots.

You can get a copy of the pattern here.

You can get some of the labels here.

I highly recommend this pattern and project.  It is easy to make, and I think the finished product is pretty great.  If you make it, I hope you have as much fun with it as I did.

Oh, and I should mention, I bought this pattern and all the supplies for it with my own money.  :-)

Come back tomorrow, and I'll show you what I did with my scraps.  It relates to the Happies I gave out at the retreat at Gruber's, and I know I promised you a post about the Happies.  That's coming up next!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time,

 

Comments

[Jana]

I have been eyeing this pattern. Your bag is darling. I love orange.

[Michelle]

Love, love, love your bag!!! I really need to try projects that aren't "flat"...haha ;-)

[carolld]

Love your bag and love those labels. So cute. I don't know how you find time to do this!

[terriaw]

What an awesome bag! I love the size and the fabrics - so adorable. I also love that you used canvas for this, perfect for carrying heavy stuff to the beach. These labels that Sweetwater provides are so fabulous! (got my first label crew packet yesterday)

[Allie]

I love that bag and I love the fabric!!! Great job, Stephanie! Enjoy your time with family, hon, and happy birthday to your parents!

[Amy]

Cute, cute bag. I'm wondering where in NH you are--you might be close!

[Donna]

love the bag! The fabric is adorable! Have fun with your family in NH!
Hugs
Donna

[Jackie]

Your bag is simply refreshing and so awesome! You always make it look so professional. Ok, your retreat buddies must have loved their little sachets! So creative.
When are you coming to my house for a retreat?

[Deb]

Love the bag! Love the color, and love how it stands up, too! Sweetwater labels always add a fun extra touch.

[Lynn]

Love a good bag pattern! It's super cute! We just got some of the Soft and Stable at my shop. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. I' thinking of making a sleeve type carrier for my new computer and am planning to use it for that.