by Dog Under My Desk
I’m so excited to release my newest pattern today and share with you all of the amazing tester photos! The Harbor Hipster is a small cross-body bag with a zippered flap opening. There are two options, a flat and a curvy top. You can find your copy right HERE – on sale through Sunday night!
It has an inside zippered pocket and inside slip pocket, and a flat back zippered pocket for quick access to your phone!
This is my new favorite bag! With the transition into Spring (if Spring ever arrives here… it is almost June!) I don’t have jacket pockets for my phone and wallet, but I only just ditched the diaper bag so I am NOT ready to go back to a big purse! This is just perfect! The flat back sits nicely on my hip and I don’t even notice I’m wearing it while I chase after Emmett and run errands.
Early on I was asked if it could carry a small water bottle, so I made sure to adjust it so that it would! I think this design feature will make it an awesome summer theme park bag!
This bag started as a crazy idea that I thought would never work, so I made one without a lining and somehow it actually did work! I had to play with the dimensions to make it just deep enough to hold the essentials but still keep the compact shape.
I experimented with a straight top version, which I liked so much that I couldn’t decide, so I’ve included both options in the pattern.
Early versions did not have a back pocket but needed one. I came up with a way to add one without stealing space from the inside of the bag the way a welt zip pocket would. Thankfully our phones are very flat these days, so it should accommodate most of them!
I’ve been so busy for the past few months working on new designs, including this one but (SPOILER!) I will also be a part of the Bag of the Month Club in October! I’m so excited about that, and I’m also happy it’s been announced so I can explain to you the gap in my pattern releases! After choosing a design for BOTMC, I was able to circle back and finish refining this design. I’m thrilled with the result and every tiny adjustment was worth it for the front darts to fit seamlessly onto the flat back!
Please do not be intimidated by the curvy zipper! It’s SO EASY! The curve is gentle, and you’ll be just fine. The curvy top is more of a challenge than the zipper, which is why I’ve included the flat top instructions (and you may simply like that look better!) I’ve found an interfacing combination that will allow you to make this without fighting too much bulk, and the hardware is minimal (just some 1″ strap hardware!) so I love that I have another pattern to offer any ambitious beginner.
Emmett only sort of understands what my job is, but he tries so hard to help. He will be my real assistant soon enough!
Spring has barely begun here in Northern Wisconsin (and not because it’s Wisconsin, this late cold weather is odd even for here!) Last week we had a random sunny day last week and with the rain it wasn’t a good idea to wait for “perfect” light, so I raced to the park and grabbed Bob off of a school bus between his shifts and we managed to take a bunch of pics. Luck, because it’s been raining since!
I named it the Harbor Hipster because Door County is a peninsula (which was turned into a man-made island) with each town located in a harbor. Under the three feet of snow and ice, this is a pretty amazing place to spend the summer!
Thankfully, Bob is a tour guide and he knows all the nice photo spots. They do require walking up and down some incredible rock staircases, but I think the view is worth it!
So there you go, the Harbor Hipster is available now! My testers went above and beyond this time (they were really excited, too!) so I want to share all of their photos. Thank you so much, testers! Please Like and Follow them for more amazing creations!
Margareth is my copy editor extraordinaire and she always sews up an amazing bag in addition to catching a ton of my mistakes! Follow her on Instagram at @maggiemadebags.
Lindsay from LindsHandmade (Etsy •Facebook • Instagram) went crazy and made three! She makes beautiful things so follow her and check out your shop. While you’re there check out her awesome new Dayna Pack pattern!
Janet from Forget-it-Not Designs took one of hers to the next level with cork. Make sure you follow Janet on Instagram @forgetitnotdesigns and on Facebook, or go straight to her shop to buy one of her amazing creations! Everything she makes is gorgeous!
Bree from @mycraftycrap used this floral Star Wars and grommets! The contrast fabric behind the pocket which started a trend and she even snuck in an extra pocket!
Candy (Grandma G) (Blog • Instagram) used Barkcloth from Jessica Jones’ Holding Pattern fabric line. The bold print looks so good!
Cara from Early Bird Stitches (Facebook • Etsy • Instagram) modeled her adorable cat fabric bag for us! Everyone is going crazy over this print, I love it!
Carrie made an awesome orange one and Jacqui mixed grey and pink (why didn’t I think of that?)
Janet used this really pretty black floral and Ruth’s is a really pretty beige linen!
Marianne used this super fun fabric! See all of her amazing creations on Facebook and Instagram.
Melanie made this awesome geometric one and Mimi’s leaf bag looks at home among the trees!
Line used this adorable camper fabric to make a bag to hold her bear spray for walking. She is far braver than me if she is walking somewhere that requires bear spray!
Judi from 3 Grand Creations already has hers loaded up and ready to go! Love it!
Sharon always has the most unique fabric selection! See her Harris Tweed creations and more on Instagram @lovequirky and Etsy!
So there we go, I hope that is a ton of inspiration for you! I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of my testers! I couldn’t do it without you!
Get your copy of the Harbor Hipster pattern RIGHT HERE! HAPPY SEWING!
Hi there
I’ve just bought the pattern. Do you have any photos to show the bag completed with the flat top as opposed to the curvy top please?
Thank you.
Hi Elaine! In this post the navy blue daisies, the black and white stripe, the black leather, the grey and pink, the black geometric, and the black and red floral all have the straight top. There are more photos in the product listing, and the first photo at the top right of the pattern itself all show the flat top one. :) https://www.dogundermydesk.com/collections/featured-patterns/products/harbor-hipster-sewing-pattern
Thank you Erin.
Is the curvy top more difficult or is it just personal preference?
I can’t decide… I may need to make two! 😉
The straight top is slightly easier – I recommend it for thicker fabrics for sure. But neither is difficult, this is a pretty easy pattern! So I would just go for the look you like!
Thank you for the help.
I’ve managed to get it cut out this afternoon.