Comments on: Prototype bag Style# 4216 pt.2

By: Hilarie Burke

Hilarie Burke — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:04:59 +0000

I appreciate you wanting to sew the straps the way you did. The pattern can be fixed so the bag does not gape. I have “shopping bags” with the straps sewn the other way, and they do not hang nicely against your body. … My husband constantly complains that the bag bangs against his knees while walking. This is much more sensible.

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

Pattern Puzzle: how to fix this bag? pt.2 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:20:38 +0000

[...] from part one, I never imagined we’d have such a range of responses. I included the link to the pattern so you could see the shaping -basically a square with straps on one end. The bag is gusseted [...]

By: Jasmin

Jasmin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:45:04 +0000

I too prefer these handles – and I would be most interested in the yield calculation method.

I love seeing the iterative approach, the changes, and the way the idea (and patterns) change and evolve, it is absolutely fascinating. Thanks Kathleen!

By: Pam ~Off The Cuff~

Pam ~Off The Cuff~ — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:32:16 +0000

Fabulous !

By: Danielle

Danielle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:44:58 +0000

Like other people I also prefer the handles the way you sewed them. I have a problem with my hands, so carrying a bag can sometimes be a challenge. I learned that a bag with the handles like above is much easier to carry. I don’t have to turn my wrist which means less strain and aches.

With the handles sewn they way you meant them to be, I find I’m dropping bags a lot more. So that makes me curious what you mean when you say :
But it would be noticeable that the ergonomics of the bag were off even if one couldn’t articulate the reasons for it.

I’m just wondering. Maybe because my hands work different (less strength and feeling) it works different for me. I spoke with an ergonomical therapist (sorry, don’t know the english name for it) and she helped me to use my hands as efficient as possible.
The best way of course is not to carry as many things as I sometimes tend to do.

By: Theresa Riess

Theresa Riess — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:31:04 +0000

Kathleen, the way you sewed the handles on 4216 seems right to me. As Becky said, they will fit over the shoulder better. A handle on either side of the bag seems to be the norm for purses and tote bags and your bag is long enough to function as a large shoulder purse. Such style for shopping! I’m looking forward to the Western style bag.

Theresa in Tucson

By: carissa

carissa — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:47:39 +0000

Beautiful!!

By: Kaaren

Kaaren — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:49:25 +0000

I like the narrower handles and set the way you have them- may have been a mistake to start with but the look is great. I also think that in the end it will be easier to shoulder if full as it looks like it should have better weight distribution. Have you tested the bags with weight in them? Is there a difference in how stuff rolls around half full, full?
and Yes – please the leather yield formula would be wonderful!

Kaaren

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:16:15 +0000

This bag looks great Kathleen. I do like the handles sewn this way better. Looks like it fits over the shoulder better than the first ones. I love the layering of the different colors.

By: LisaB

LisaB — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:03:24 +0000

I think the new bag is great! I can see how this pocket would be far better to sew than a patch pocket, too.

Fire away on the manual leather yield calculations. I’m interested in learning.