UPDATE: The Fall 2019 Bag of the Month Club has ended and the Shoreline Shoulder Bag is now available for sale individually HERE.
I am SO EXCITED to finally reveal the October bag for The Bag of the Month Club! Introducing… The Shoreline Shoulder Bag! This medium size shoulder-or-cross-body bag is just right for everyday. I carefully designed each element (the slight curves, oval base, pleats, multiple pocket styles, top zip!) to make this a skill-builder, so that it fits right into the “intermediate” level in this three month club! Of course my photo-tutorial-style instructions are there to help you through the whole thing!
If you follow me, you know I’m terrible about keeping my work a secret (I need feedback, people!) Not being able to share this until now has been a challenge for me! One day I decided to test a bag out and it ended up in a cute picture with Emmett that I couldn’t share. So, I could not be happier that October is finally HERE!!!
The Shoreline Shoulder Bag isn’t necessarily for a day at the beach, although here we mostly go to the playground at the beach, and it’s perfect for that! It did nicely fit the SSB = Super Secret Bag initials I’d already given the bag. (And I figured it would throw people off a little if the name got out.) It features a top zip, a combined front slip + zip pocket, and an inside slip pocket over a zippered pocket. Usually with a zip pocket set into the seams like this, you wouldn’t be able to use that pocket to turn the bag, but I figured out a way. :)
The curvy shape is created by slight princess seams on the four panels as well as pleats at the bottom. This creates a generously sized bag with a compact shape. If you like “black hole bags” or “bigger on the inside bags” then you will like this! If you like organization – you’ll love that ALL of the pockets mix and match. You can add pockets to the back of the bag and to the opposite side of the lining if you’d like!
Because most Bag of the Month Club members sign up before seeing the patterns, I wanted to make this work for a variety of fabrics and interfacings. That way you really can make it with what you have on hand. You could even eliminate the hardware and add a fixed length shoulder strap if you need to. I’ve included the option for 1″ and 1.25″ straps so that you can have a larger selection of hardware to choose from.
This blue floral sample is Essex linen in Cadet with a quilting cotton accent and fusible fleece (and SF101 woven fusible interfacing too, of course). It has a 1.25″ strap with 1.25″ oval rings.
The teal bag is all quilting cotton with a woven fusible and combination of sew-in fleece and midweight sew-in interfacing with a 1″ strap and 1.25″ rings.
This navy blue bag is the super thin Rex vinyl from Emmaline Bags with a linen accent panel, both with woven fusible and fusible fleece (even on the Rex!)
Because so many of you love foam, I did test it. This is quilting cotton, SF101, and sew-in foam. The orange is a bit harsh in photos, but I had a special request so it was a good opportunity to test the foam and know that it will have a home. Bags are taking over my tiny corner of our apartment!
I would only use foam if you really love that “stand up open” distinctive foam look. It’s a bit puffier, rather than slouchy. (For comparison: This bag is not stuffed for photos, but the fleece ones are.) For this pattern, fleece is more manageable and easier to maneuver. I had carpal tunnel surgery a few months ago, so I definitely had to take it slow, but I’m really happy with the result. If you have foam in your stash, and you like foam, and you want to use quilting cotton… it will absolutely work. Go for it.
This is MY FAVORITE! This is Mora vinyl from Emmaline Bags. Janelle’s faux leather is designed to be sewn on a domestic machine, and that’s exactly what I did! I made this on my Bernina, and as you can see the only part I couldn’t sew was the very ends of the adjustable strap, which I had to rivet. But that’s because that strap is four layers, which means folded over – it’s eight. I’ve been using this one all week and I LOVE IT! I used a 100/16 titanium topstitch needle and 30wt thread. This one has a quilting cotton lining, 1.25″ strap and 1.5″ rings. There is SF101 AND fusible fleece on the vinyl. It was perfect because it’s been raining for over a week, but I could take this one out for pics without ruining it!
I used the metal-look nylon zippers. Nylon zippers are ESSENTIAL to this bag. Please do not try to use metal zips. I also used a HALF-WIDTH Strap Tab. These instructions are included in the pattern.
In the last picture it’s hanging out with Flora Wristlet, the September bag from the Bag of the Month Club (By Janelle from Emmaline Bags).
We tested this bag at the playground after taking some pics by the beach! I just love that everything zips up except the one little phone pocket on the front, so I can chase after Emmett without worrying about all of my stuff falling out of my bag! I also love that it’s big enough to hold some of Emmett’s things and a little bottle of water, too. He has a little backpack we take with us in the car, but who wants to carry two bags all the time? I quickly discovered I could take the most important stuff from his bag and stuff it into the bottom of mine. :)
Yes, this is our tiny little town. Sister Bay is awesome. Come visit! We have coffee!
So there you go – that’s my round up of the SSB’s I’ve made so far!
And now, we have my SUPER AMAZING TESTERS! It was such a relief to be able to share my pattern with my dedicated group of testers. I was a little worried until they got their hands on it, but no more. Thank you, testers! If you need a few more sewing people in your life, I’ve linked to their Instagram/Facebook/Etsy accounts. Please follow them!
First up is Candy AKA Grandma G. (Blog • Instagram) She’s made hers with a barkcloth accent, navy canvas, a denim lining, and fusible fleece. I think it’s GORGEOUS!!
The next one is by Cara from Early Bird Stitches (Facebook • Etsy • Instagram), with Essex linen, quilting cotton, and fusible fleece.
Janet (@forgetitnotdesigns on IG • Facebook • Shop) made this one in her usual cork with a screen printed linen accent. I was worried about the pleats in cork, but look! They are beautiful!
Judi added a fixed 22″ strap instead of using hardware, and she’s very excited to use her new “fall purse”!
Karen made hers with QUILTED RIPSTOP NYLON. I’ve seen bags like this at the store, and a “puffy bag” has been on my list for a while, but she actually had the guts to attempt it. I think the chevron quilting is brilliant!
Line used quilting cotton with a canvas base (genius!) and fusible fleece. Perfect!
Lindsay from LindsHandmade (Etsy •Facebook • Instagram) used a combination of waterproof canvas, quilting cotton, and home dec fabric. The three fabrics really show off the pockets, and she’s modeled it for us as well!
Margareth (@maggiemadebags) used quilting cotton and a faux suede for this pretty purple bag. Love it!
Marianne (Facebook • Instagram) used waxed canvas for hers, so she fused the fleece to the quilting cotton lining. This is a really good option if you can’t or don’t want to fuse fleece to your exterior fabric, but don’t want to use or don’t have a sew-in version.
Sharon’s dress form always helps us visualize the size. This is quilting cotton with cotton drill and fusible fleece! (@lovequirky on IG and Etsy!)
Mimi used a blue solid cotton duck and home dec for the accent. I think my love of navy blue is rubbing off on some of my testers… :D
Ruth used this gorgeous canvas and decided to not risk fusing fleece to it, so she also fused it to the lining as well.
I’d also like to thank Samantha and Janelle for organizing such an amazing Club and asking me to be a guest designer this round! I’ve had so much fun, and I’m also thankful that I got to take these pics before the bay becomes a giant ice cube. October is already super fun in Door County because it’s apple season! It’s the perfect temperature to sew with the windows open, and it’s jeans and a hoodie weather – my favorite! So, welcome October and HAPPY SEWING!
This is beautiful, Erin. I love it. You are so talented!
Can’t wait to make it… such a great design, well done.
I love the look of this bag, it is exactly my style.
So pleased to have this as October pattern.
Love the different test bags – they have given me plenty of ideas.
Thank you!
I love the new bag!! The bags by the testers give me great ideas on what fabrics to use. I have a piece of waxed canvas that will work well. Thanks for all the pictures!
Where do you purchase the metal look nylon zippers you use?
I belong to the BOMC and am going to start on the Shoreline Shoulder Bag. Are you planning on also having a video tutorial. I usually find those quite helpful?
Where can I purchase this pattern? Looking all over and can’t find it without joining BOM.
Thank you,
Pam
Would this fit a 13″ laptop?
No. It will fit an iPad mini.
This is a great pattern. I love your style of pictorial instructions. The bagsewed out great. Thankyou.
do you have a tutorial for this bag? many thanks
The pattern has photos for every step.
So beautifulllllllll.
You have so many beautiful designs. I love those designs. You can also see my bag designs, which are on Clear Moda.