3 in 1 Betsy Bag - zipped up!

zippered front

Do you ever start a project and hit pause for no good reason?   My 3 in 1 Betsy Bag sat in the same state as shown on my "travel handmade to be" blog post until now.  Thanks to #fridaynightsewalong for boosting me to finish.

recessed zipper top

At our August guild meeting I purchased the zipper with the intention of bringing it for show and tell last Tuesday.  Oh well, it's done in time for stuffing it full of supplies for our SBAMQG Quilt Retreat in October so that counts. 

hardware detail

The recessed zipper (my first) was a modification from the drawstring in the pattern because I knew I  couldn't stand the thought of squishing my bugs.  

back

Kraftex, was easy to use (also a first) and will be great for the base of more bag projects.   Because this one is so deep I used a shoe box wrapped in fabric as a support to iron out the wrinkles created when flipping the bag inside out after attaching the lining.  I also sprayed with Best Press.

folded option

The bag design cleverly folds inside itself to convert to a briefcase size with an outside zipper becoming an inside zipper.  The interior also features one entire side of divided pockets.

pretty in pink deatils

For a pop of color I used a solid pink for the lining and also added another pink pocket inside with a key clip.  Now that it's all sewn together it's near impossible to photograph so here's a shot I shared on IG when I was auditioning topstitch thread colors. 

recessed zipper parts

I was wanting to make sure change I made wasn't going to be hindered by the opening while unzipped and overestimated the space. I can trim and redo the end tabs easily.

stitching down the rings

Reinforcing the straps strength by leaving a wide turndown and lots - lots - of stitching should make it hold up.  The fussy cut on the straps was worth the effort but these are covered up.  

Excited to have it done and to add a travel handmade to my collection.  Linking to the party at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday

Started: July 6, finished Sept 6, 2015

Pattern: 3 in 1 Besty Bag by Betsy La Honta for Stash Books/C&T Publishing

Fabrics: Tokyo Trainride by Sarah Watts,  Flora& Fauna by Patty Young,  Kona solid and Kraftex in Stone. Thread: Aurifil #2325 50wt and #5014 40wt.  Interfacing: Pellon 808 and Shape-flex Hardware (need to look this up)