Midi Bag Adventure

It's been a while since I've made a handbag or tote from a pattern; I usually just wing it.  The Midi Bag by QuiltSmart was tres cute...  but I needed the pattern because I couldn't figure out how it went together by looking at completed totes.

I've been sewing and reading patterns for over 50 years so I believe I can review this one fairly.   I cannot recommend this pattern for beginners... or even advanced beginners... unless they are in a class where they can receive assistance.

The pattern instructions are on the inside of a three-fold card stock insert that is folded around the printed interfacing.  

All the actual instructions are on the inside of the insert.    The top third of the inside of the pattern insert was given over to a photo of completed totes and "options."  While these were nice, more detailed directions would have been appreciated.   I can understand the need to keep the pattern insert to one sheet but a legal-size sheet with more room would have been a better choice.

Although I read through the directions before starting, things were not at all clear.   I needed to stop working on the project a number of times during construction  to reread the directions and try to figure out exactly what the diagrams meant.  Actual photos may have been more helpful.  Directions could have been more concise.  Statements such as: "Trust me on this" could have been omitted.

Working with the printed interfacing was fun.  Once the fabric squares were ironed on the interfacing, the sewing part was simple...  and the corners all met perfectly, which was cool!

Where the printed interfacing was really helpful was during layout of the panels since the illustration in the directions wasn't clear... at least to me.

I liked the option for including a pocket on the inside but, since I was working with remnants from a quilt, I didn't have enough fabric....   so I improvised, using measurements in the Options section for pocket placement on the lining panel.

Directions for the lining were not as clear as I thought they could be...  the actual sizes for the four lining pieces are in the directions and not listed anywhere else, such as for quilt directions where all the pieces to be cut are listed near the beginning, along with the fabric requirements.

All in all, this was a fun project and I'll probably make a few more....  especially since this tote is on its way to my baby sister who lives outside of Washington DC.   And, since I have another sister and want to be fair, the next tote will be for her.



I'll make notes of measurements since I won't purchase another pattern just to have the printed interfacing.  I'll also have notes that clarify cutting and assembly steps as well.

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Disclaimer:  I do not work for any quilt shops or pattern companies.  I was not given this pattern to review and the opinions stated above are my own.