Pattern Review: Overnight bag

Tweens are usually big fans of sleep overs and it is at this age that they often get involved in sports. So I thought a customized overnight bag would be a lot of fun for our tweens.

I came across this great FREE pattern on the burdastyle website and had to try it out.

I used a fun print I found in the upholstery section of Joann.  I would actually recommend a heavier weight fabric than I used... so go for something the weight of denim.  I used a vinyl for the corners and loved how that added extra durability and textural interest.

Name of the pattern: Overnight bag 12/2010 #142

Pattern Source: Burdastyle

Special materials required:  You will need a 60 inch wide fabric to make the bag as designed.  My fabric was only 56" so, it is a little less deep than originally intended.  That slight modification was fine with me but I should have shortened the straps accordingly.  

Other special materials required webbing or some other durable twill fabric to create your straps, piping, hardware for the tag, and a heavy duty zipper.

Skill level required:  I would classify this as an advanced beginner project.  You have to draw out your pattern and the corners are a bit tricky.  The techniques were just a bit new for me, but if you read the instructions slowly, the actual construction is not hard.

The corners are what really make this bag.

Good:  I love the look of this bag and how it is so functional.  Other fabric great fabric choices would be denim, heavy weight upholstery, and leather.  I also think this bag would be great made in your tween's school colors.

Bad:  Nothing really ... it is free and functional.

Overall pattern rating:  I give this pattern 4 bolts out of 5.