Comments on: Pattern Puzzle: how to fix this bag?

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:27:30 +0000

Buckram might be a good choice to stiffen the top section.

By: LizPf

LizPf — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:55:56 +0000

As Barb said, the bag *wants* to form an oval within the handle area. I bet the problem is even worse with small, heavy items in the bag.

My first thought was to use something to stiffen the upper part of the bag between the handles, perhaps a heavy interfacing. With a still enough canvas, this would work — but it would change the feel of the bag and make it harder to fold compactly.

Another idea would be to re-shape the space within the handle “hole”. Perhaps widening the straps at their bases would do the trick.

By: Vesta

Vesta — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:41 +0000

Holy moly. I am in awe of the brain power evaluating a BAG! I am infatuated with bags, and I love hearing y’all dissect the issues involved.

By: Pattern Puzzle: how to fix this bag? pt.2

Pattern Puzzle: how to fix this bag? pt.2 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:32:23 +0000

[...] from part one, I never imagined we’d have such a range of responses. I included the link to the pattern so [...]

By: jennie

jennie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:19:54 +0000

Did it stretch along the inside of the straps as you sewed? Thats what the photos suggest to me.

By: Betsy Johnson

Betsy Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:08:18 +0000

I’ve thought a bit more about what happens when the straps are moved toward the center.

Having the outside of the straps near the outside edges of the bag makes the bag curve around the body giving it a bit of an ergonomic look. If the straps are moved in without widening them, the bag will not curve around the body as much and be flatter, more like a briefcase. Depending on how it is loaded, the ends could sag.

If the outside edge of the straps is kept the same, but they are widened, at their base, making the space between them less, the gapping will be diminished, but the bag will continue to curve around the body.

Which is better seems to depend on taste and what will be carried in it.

By: Barb Taylorr

Barb Taylorr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:55:10 +0000

Good call Betsy, I hadn’t even noticed that!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:59:30 +0000

Here is Barb's file (pdf).

By: Betsy Johnson

Betsy Johnson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:57:58 +0000

I would move the straps in toward the center and would curve them in to improve the fit/comfort at the top of the shoulder. I consider the top of the shoulder issue much more important. When I look at the current version, I can almost feel the pain of the edge of the strap cutting into my shoulder.

By: Barb Taylorr

Barb Taylorr — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:51:36 +0000

Anytime the opening between the straps is wider than the widest part of the body that the straps will drape over, then there will be a gap. Gravity will adjust the size of the opening to be equal to the width of the shoulder (profile). If you want to keep the capacity the same you’ll have to set the straps in from the edge or make them wider to reduce the opening between them. I’ll e-mail a sketch Kathleen if you want to link to it.