I’ve been on a bit a meander… This time re-visiting bag making. Some weeks ago I bought and downloaded the Alpen Belt Bag pattern by Kristina of Center Street Quilts. The supply list is fairly straightforward with only a few extras required: just one zip, a length of webbing and three pieces of bag hardware. Apart from webbing I had most of what’s needed in my stash but I couldn’t resist choosing and purchasing a couple of Fat Quarters to match the bright red webbing I’d selected 😁
Missing from this photo is the wadding and a strap slider.
The Alpen Belt Bag is a new pattern. I found it easy to follow and appreciated the clear diagrams. Kristina created a sew along to coincide with the launch of her pattern. Read about the sew along in her blog post. The Sew Along took place on Instagram @centrestreetquilts. The mini tutorials are still available to watch (first tutorial dated 15th May 2023). I found these helpful especially as the pattern includes a couple of bag making techniques I hadn’t used before.
The Belt Bag has an adjustable strap and can be worn cross body style or around the waist (as modelled by Nanna Reid)
I am pleased with the Alpen Belt Bag I’ve made. The pattern is definitely patchwork-quilter friendly, suitable for a confident patchwork-quilter who is just venturing into bag-making. Most of the fabric pieces are cut using a rotary cutter. There are only four small templates: I traced the templates onto Freezer Paper; ironed them to the front of my fabric; cut around the shapes using a rotary cutter and ruler; and then peeled off the papers. The seams are all ¼” so there’s no need to change from the usual machine setting for patchwork. There’s even an opportunity to do a bit of quilting 🙂
The only caution I would give in my recommendation of this pattern is the thickness of some of the seams. I used fairly heavy duty cotton webbing for the straps and this had to be doubled over for the shorter strap and sewn into the side of the bag. The resultant seam was 3/8ths of an inch thick. A bit of a challenge for most light-to-medium weight domestic machines.
I noticed in the video tutorials Kristina was using a semi-industrial Juki machine which didn’t appear to falter as it stitched through the thick seams.
I give this pattern a thumbs up 👍 and know I could purchase other Centre Street Quilts patterns confident of their quality and make-ability.
Linking with Alycia for Finished or Not Friday and Wendy for the Peacock Party. Both have finished quilts to share, one a collaboration, the other a mystery quilt dating from 2018. Also linking with Kathleen for Tips & Tutorials on the 22nd. This month her tutorial is all about trimming quilts. And linking with Sandra as this project was not on the to-do list, definitely a DrEAMi! Linking with Cheryl for Favorite Finish Monthly Link-up – June 2023.
Allison
Link to Alpen Belt Bag pattern on Etsy.
The bag looks great! I really like the tip about using freezer paper for the templates…good idea! 🙂
I’m glad you found that useful Laura. I’m not a dress maker and don’t feel comfortable using paper templates but the freezer paper hack puts me back in my rotary cutter comfort zone!
Very nicely done! It’s been interesting to see how the “fanny pack” of the 1980 has made a comeback in this modified form. I like that it can be worn as a cross-body bag too. I had to smile at the picture of you taking a picture of yourself because I have the exact same red Canon powershot camera that you do! It’s a winner.
Thank you Linda! I’ve had my little Canon for a long time and you’re right it is a winner. My Dad is a keen amateur photographer and slowly made the transition from SLR to digital. He is astounded by the quality of the photographs taken on modern, small cameras and phones.
I love this stylish pouch and am always looking for great patterns. Thanks, too, for linking up to Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd!
That is so cute – and looks amazingly useful!!!