I am SO EXCITED to announce my new pattern that I do not even need another cup of coffee!! It’s fitting that I’m writing this at 1am, since 80% of this pattern has been designed and written after Emmett goes to bed, often ending with me staying up until sunrise! (Get it?) But, I assure you it has been thoroughly tested and we are overwhelmingly in love with this new bag!

Here is it, the Sunrise Saddle Bag!

After being encouraged by my customers to design a smaller bag, I decided to work on a small cross-body bag. It was quite the evolution but I am thrilled with the result!

  I originally made a few prototypes and then shelved them to write the Roundabout Hobo when it just wasn’t working out. I was going for something that would fit nicely between Arm Candy and Date Night, size wise, and I wanted it to be a purposefully designed bag for hands-free shopping and every day life.

Date Night (left) • Sunrise Saddle Bag (middle) • Arm Candy (right)

I wanted a front pocket for my phone and a back zip pocket. I tried foam, I tried a top zip, and I tried darts like Arm Candy and it was just… yuck. My early prototypes had the pocket just kind of stuck on and it looked out of place. I remembered why I didn’t put a top zip on Arm Candy originally and why I eventually moved it inside.

I wasn’t enjoying the way the darts were competing with the flat top. I made a couple bags and used one for a while and I loved the size and concept, I hated the design. It needed… something.

 I tried setting the pocket and flap into a panel in the middle, so that there was a pocket under the flap and behind it. I liked that and may use the concept again, but the top zip still kind of flattened the bag. It looked like a wristlet, but it was way too big to be a wristlet!

And then, a few weeks ago, I made this. Princess seams. Sort of. Curvy seams that give it this shape, this oomph, that doesn’t need foam to hold the shape and steal precious volume from the inside of a small bag. The turn lock was secure enough that I felt safe leaving off a top zipper, especially with one in back. This was a winner! A few refinements were needed – the side seams were too curvy so the bag was too flat at the sides, and I had to nail down the size of the flap and placement of the turn lock.

Two more revisions and we were there.

   You know I’m serious when I cut into the Kate Spain!! 

 
  At this point I had only shared with a few people, because it’s so hard for me to predict how much time things will take with a toddler and a broken back. I was able to hire Emmett’s babysitter for several afternoons to crank out the pattern pieces and write the text of the pattern, and then I took the pictures over many very late nights.

Every hour of lost sleep was WORTH IT. Is worth it. I love it. And I think you will too!

It even pairs perfectly with Get Carded! 

 
  
We don’t venture out much, except to the grocery store, so until I can get better action shots, this will have to do. :)

 Thank you to all of my testers, my Facebook group and Instagram followers for the fun you let me have teasing you and for all of the feedback you’ve given me! I know you all wanted this in time to make one for Mother’s Day, so I’ll leave it at that. More pictures and fun are still to come on Facebook and Instagram. In the mean time, let’s get this thing launched so we can HAVE A BIRTHDAY SALE!!!

May 8th is my birthday, and I will be 30… something. So until Wednesday night (your time) the whole Pattern Shop, including the new Sunrise Saddle Bag and Get Carded, will be 30% off!

We are launching straight into the next pattern after this, so stay tuned! My babysitter will be thanking you for adding to her college fund! :P

Thank you and HAPPY SEWING!!! 

Erin

P.S. I will be back tomorrow with all of the tester photos!