Of all 36 pattern reviews written about this bag, the Amy Butler weekender bag, not one of them said, "this bag costs an absolute fortune to make."
We start with a $30 pattern and then we add several metres of bag interfacing (Fast 2 Fuse) at $42 a metre and finish with lining priced out at $35 per metre. I worked out if you used the recommended Amy Butler home decorator fabric with the recommended bag stabilising interfacing you would spend upwards of $300. I did not, of course, do that.
Actually how I came by the fabric is a cautionary tale for anyone who likes op-shopping (that'd be goodwill shopping to my American friends). I sorted through a box of the usual debris at the local Sally Army and sorted two possible contenders - this, a piece of vintage bark cloth and another piece of hand beaded silk sari. I put the fabrics on a chair next to me as I was rifling through the box. A woman approached the chair picked up the fabrics and said, "ooh lovely fabrics."
"Put. the. fabrics. down. Step. away. from. the. fabrics." No of course I didn't say that, but I gave her a look that said it for me.
"oh? Are these yours?"
"grrrrrr."
This flurry of bag activity was set about by the decision to have a weekend away in my hometown this weekend. It is very satisfying to return to the city of my youth with the skills of the last two decades away in evidence about me. Such a simple thing - to make your own clothes, such a big satisfaction to create something totally unique.
The piping is made with the lining lurex, not the easiest fabric to work with:
Credits:
Fabric outer: Sally Army, from their litter bin mascarading as fabric box $10
Lining: Nick's upholstery weight lurex $20
Notions: Smart Dress Fabrics - 1 and half metres bag weight interfacing $18, 4 and 1/2 metres piping $7, Thread $3, Jeans needles $4.50 Bernina shop: Interfacing, 1 metre wisperweft, $12, 1 patchwork template plastic $7
Pattern: purchased on line $30 from All Things Patchwork - Cheryl the owner delivered the pattern personally because she knew I wanted to finish it this week .. is that service or is that service?
Grand total: $112 (that's around $75 US), and that people, was making it on the cheap.
Um. Wow. Great bag though!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, are you gonna be a smart traveller or what? I am mightily impressed with that bag. I hope you manage to insert into your pattern review, with appropriate smugness, that you cut the costs by about 2/3 with your thrifty shopping and sourcing.
ReplyDeleteWow - so pricey even after all the discounts! Ouchies.
ReplyDeleteIt does look great though!
Wow - fabulous job on the details.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me while I faint in shock - there are people who'd pay $300 to MAKE a bag!!????
ReplyDeleteYours is appropriately fabulous, and quite frankly will be the brightest thing in Dunedin this weekend - forcast is for the solid week of rain to continue a bit longer yet.
Hehehe - my word verification is "cring" and an "e" and that's my reaction to the $300 price tag!
I really should proofread better. I meant ADD an "e"!
ReplyDeleteNow it's bapnowl. Wonder what that means?
$300?! And you still have to do the sewing yourself? Good grief.
ReplyDeleteYour bag is very smart. I love the yellow.
That is one fabulous bag. I thought you were going to post that you gave it to the Sallies...I was most dismayed for a moment and then pleased when you hadn't!
ReplyDeleteI have read reviews saying how expensive Amy Butler bags are to make, but perhaps that was for the nappy bag?? Apparently on some patterns the fabric requirements are overstated as well.
I have been flicking through magazines in a cafe this morning, and I was say, your bag is the grooviest one I've seen all day.
Fabulous bag, despite the hefty tab. Hope you keep enough fabric for a matching hat!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel suitably clever. All I can say is that the bag looks as if it cost more than $300.
ReplyDeleteI only ever see rubbish fabric at the local op-shops. I'm glad the fabric competitor was scared off, how horrid if she had grabbed your finds.
Wow, 300 dollars? I can't imagine paying that for a bag I even have to make myself.
ReplyDeleteYour version looks very great though. I love the yellow!
Ow! Sometimes it may be better to not add it up! Great bag though and the fabric is divine.
ReplyDeleteToo cute, despite the crazy price tag. That yell ow outer fabric is awesome. And wow, I've never even bought a bag that was 300 bucks (but then I'm really cheap!).
ReplyDeleteGreat looking bag. You did an awesome job.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, that fabric is really something else. I have only been lucky enough to find scraps here and there, several inches along a selvage edge. I tuck all those treasures under my arm lest someone think they are unclaimed. What a great bag! I bet you'll be using it a whole lot!
ReplyDeleteLove your bag!
ReplyDeleteI love your bag. It LOOKS expensive. That bag has been in my queue for quite a while. Nice sewing!
ReplyDeleteAh-ha! The fact that you are visiting Dunedin explains the weather. It is, without fail, shocking whenever you are here! Hope you and the beautiful bag manage to stay dry.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bag. Congrats. I'm pretty sure I could find everything I need already in my studio. That makes it free - right - LOL.
ReplyDelete- Myrna
Your bag turned out fantastic! Every time I see that pattern, I think...I would love to make that...but now that I see your breakdown, I might just buy luggage instead!!
ReplyDeleteI love your bag, and your post is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI love your bag, and your post is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Very impressive sewing.
ReplyDeleteI adore that fabric. The Amy Butler patterns are a bit of a rip. I made the nappy bag a while back and that came to about $100 all up. The pattern had no fabric layout and was not at all economic in the shapes of hte pattern pieces. I could have bought a damn fantastic one for that, but at least now I can say with pride - yep I made it isn't it cool and of course I have some brilliatn ofcuts to boot.
ReplyDeleteI am suffering bark cloth envy. i would have hovered hopefully in the store, wanting to tackle anyone who came near the fabric but too scared to even ask if you were going to buy it.
It can take quite a bit of fortitude and focus to go into an op shop. You're right, there seems to be a lack of discrimination between the rubbish bin and the shop. Sometimes when I've put a lot of work into unearthing a treasure out of the pile of rubble I feel as if they should be paying me to take something away. At the very least, I've earned a low price tag. Bag is very lovely. Mama who doesn't leave comments (but reads them, 'hi') was blown away by it. If you bought it from a boutique gallery the price tag would seem cheap.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!! I have admired this bag many times, but I have not wanted to put in the effort of making it!! I just love your yellow version!
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