A while back I bought myself a copy of Anna’s (Noodlehead blog) Compass Bag, purchased some sexy bag hardware and then….did nothing.
It took Sarah Golden’s beautiful Maker Maker fabric collection for Andover to remind me of the pattern and put me back on track.
Maker Maker is a linen/cotton blend, often referred to as home-dec weight. This heavier, form-holding fabric is perfect for sewing bags, amongst other things.
The prints in this range are modern, quirky and somewhat Scandinavian in style – it was hard to narrow it down to just two! In the end I went with Stripes in Black for the body and Houses in Grey for the bag accents.
Some points on the pattern and how it went together for me.
Firstly, it’s a great pattern – well written and clearly illustrated. I would happily make more of these bags, and I can’t say that about all patterns I use.
I sewed the whole thing, from start to finish, with my walking foot and a size 90 needle.
This is the large size bag and I went with the View A pockets as they looked easier (yup, I’m lazy). I tend to only keep lists and tissues and other non-valuable things in outer pockets – so the pocket flaps weren’t really a need for me. I didn’t make the interior zipper pocket, only the slip pocket (more lazy).
My bag also features the fixed length strap which is just my personal preference.
The eagle-eyed amongst you might be saying “so where’s the sexy bag hardware, Bonjour?”
Sigh. I wish I knew! We moved house in January and I can’t find where I put them when we unpacked. It was past shop-hours and I really wanted to finish the bag, so I cracked on without them. When they turn up it will be time to sew another Compass Bag!
There are a few mods I made so the lack of hardware wouldn’t stop me. I secured the strap end straight under the strap tab where the D-ring straps would have gone. I made sure the strap extended almost to the bottom of the strap tab so that it would receive further reinforcement under the “X” sewn across the strap tab. Then I pinned the other side of the strap in place and tested the bag across my shoulder to make sure I was happy with the length before I sewed it down.
Having the strap locked in place meant I had to make sure it was tucked out of the way when I sewed the bag lining and interior together, but that wasn’t hard. In fact, it was super helpful when it came time to turn the bag right-way-out. The handle is right there in the turning hole, so you use it to pull the whole thing through. Nice!
One thing I definitely need to work on is my topstitching. You can see below I should have moved my needle off centre so I could get closer to the magnetic clasp without it interfering with my walking foot.
Go home, walking foot, you’re drunk.
I used some lovely low-volume fabric from Carolyn Friedlander’s new collection Friedlander for my lining.
I also managed to sew the inner slip pocket over the wrong lining seam, but elected to leave it there as I like how I can pull my phone from the pocket without needing to undo the magnetic clasp. Sometimes mistakes are a good thing ;)
Oh, and I did reinforce the corners of all pockets, interior and exterior, with a little satin stitch diamond. Just to give a little extra security to those areas that experience the most strain.
I really love how this Noodlehead Compass Bag turned out and I look forward to sewing Anna’s pattern again. Fingers crossed that hardware turns up soon!
Hope you have a great week,
Kirsty x
Such a stylish bag, Kirsty! Thank you for the no-hardware tips!!! Sometimes not finding something can turn out to be a good thing! ;-)
Sometimes problems = opportunity! I’m sure I’m not the only person who loses hardware (and keys, books, earrings….the list goes on) :-))
Your bag is beautiful Kirsty! I have found that it is easier to mark where the magnetic snap goes and insert it after doing the topstitching – just make sure to leave the lining open, then stitch it up after you have put the snap in.
Oooh, now that’s a clever idea! Thanks for sharing that one, Kirsten!
I did the exact thing with my Compass Bag pattern! I bought it when it first came out and kind of forgot about it. You’ve inspired me to make myself a new bag for spring. I love your fabric choice and my local quilt shop just sent an email highlighting the Maker Maker fabrics (very serendipitous). If you ever find it, I’d love to see your sexy bag hardware, although this version is really nice and more economical. Thanks.
Love this bag. And your modifications re: lost hardware. Such a nice looking bag. Thank you for sharing it and your modifications. Makes me want to get some wonderful home dec fabric and try the pattern.