Tuesday, March 16, 2010

HotPatterns: Like a Moth to Flame

Well, folks, it's happened again. Burnt by another HotPatterns pattern. I can't seem to help myself; I like their style.

The project, a hobo bag, was supposed to serve as a little break from working on my pants muslin. A quick, no-fit project, made from my stash, that would finally end in me having a bag of my own after making so many bags for others. But it was not to be. Am I being a bit melodramatic and writing run-on sentences? Well, yes. I can't help it. I'm irritated.

Here is the offending bag.

What happened was this: I used the free HotPatterns "Nomad Hobo" that is available on Fabric.com. (Yes, I already know what you are going to say: you get what you pay for.) I was happily sewing along, relaxing and following the instructions. It was coming together so very quickly and easily - I was nearly done assembling the bag! That's when I realized that something was very wrong. Where the pockets and closures were made no sense. In fact, they were completely backward!

I flipped back in the instructions, sure that I had done something wrong. But no! I had followed the instructions to the letter. The instructions and pattern markings are just plain wrong! They have you attach the magnet and pockets to the end pieces - the pieces with the straps. Look at the image above and tell me exactly how that is supposed to work. Aaarg! It doesn't! The closure should be on the inside of the bag roughly where the girl's elbow is - right? - attaching one side of the bag to the other. Double aaaarg!

Here is my re-do. The side pieces of the lining, with pockets and magnetic closure.

I basically had to undo an hour's work. And, since I made the bag with a remnant, I don't have extra fabric. This is not a problem for the pieces with pockets, which I swapped with the same shaped pieces that didn't have pockets. And I had an extra magnetic closure to attach in the correct place. However, once you attach the closures you really can't undo them without leaving holes behind. So, now the bag has an extra superfluous magnetic closure at the base of each strap.

Is this a deal breaker? No. I don't think so. I like the fabric and will finish the bag. Anyway, it is now unsewn and I've begun sewing it back together. So, it should be easy to finish. Knock on wood. So much for an easy project that I wouldn't have to think about.

6 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

Thanks for your comment about my suit! I downloaded that bag pattern too. Not sure when I thought I was going to get to it. Thanks for the heads up on the problem with the pattern.

Anonymous said...

Oh that stinks! How frustrating. Ugh.

Mar-Mar said...

Clio,
Thank you for your help the other day regarding the bobbin's nest. I took apart the plate and removed the inner workings of the bobbin and now it is just dandy! I finished my trial run of the pillowcase apron for Project Abbycakes and it looks great! I figured out (from books) how to do gathering on the machine. Gosh, I feel so accomplished. What a feeling!

Meanwhile I learned how to stuff in the instruction booklet for the Sewist 500 like, filling a bobin, threading the machine, and very importantly, adjusting the tension (which goes from 1 to 9 btw, not 1-5. I was looking at the wrong nob).

So my infant apron is done. I thought maybe I should try a pattern(how ambitious). I bought a McCalls pattern for an infant dress. I am a little scared of it, but, you know, I have to take the first step sometime. And, I have old king-sized bed sheets that are light purple and might just work for the project.

If I am successful, I might just decide to make the dress for Abby for my sis-n-laws wedding.
xoxo
Mar-Mar

Clio said...

Mar-Mar - I am so excited for you! I can't wait to see your first few sewing adventures. Email me pictures!

Anonymous said...

I had the same experience with their free "cowl" top, that isn't a cowl at all.

leader said...

Can provide protection for the entire dwelling on an all risks basis around the policy limits. thomas charms The policy limit is defined by the policy owner when the insurance coverage is paid for. thomas sabo charm You are able to decide to insure the house and items for either replacement cost or actual cash value. cheap thomas sabo charms The house needs to be insured for replacement cost. cheap thomas sabo charmsReplacement cost is most likely the sum it will take to replace or rebuild the house or repair damages with equipment of identical kind and quality,thomas sabo without the need of deducting for depreciation.