Hello! As I was making up a couple of my favorite zipper bags the other day I realized I’d never done a review for the pattern here on my blog. Since this is one of my favorite bag patterns…I thought I’d share all the details today.
If you make just one of these bags you’ll want to make them in all sizes …again
and again! The two bags in the front are the ones I made this weekend, and I used our Desert Bloom fabric to make them. The larger bag in the back was made by my friend Kaitlin for our Quilt Market booth last fall featuring our Valley fabric collection.
The pattern contains instructions for making all three sizes of bags which range in size from 4″ H x 7 ½″ W x 3″ D for the small bag to 6 ½″ H x 10 ½″ W x 4 ½″ D for the medium bag to 9″ H x 12″ W x 6″ D for the largest bag.
These bags are some of the most versatile bags you can make. They are perfect for traveling (I use mine all of the time to keep things separated in my suitcase), but they are also good for use around the house. The large and medium sized bags are perfect for keeping handwork sewing projects in, and I think they would also be great for baby stuff and a catch all for children’s things when traveling in the car.
As per the title, the bags really do open wide, so it’s easy to get things in and out of them. Also, the pattern gives directions for optional mesh pockets to corral things even more, but I didn’t put them in.
The zipper installation for this bag is different than most, but the clear directions and photo illustrations make it simple to put the zipper in. You will definitely want to use a handbag zipper to make it easier to put together. The handbag zippers sold here are wider and are also very sturdy and well-made.
I used the Clover Chaco Liner, White
that I mentioned the other day in my crosshatch quilting tutorial for adding the markings necessary for bag assembly (you‘ll notice that I was making the medium Open Wide bag when I did the pictures for that tutorial).
Another helpful tool I used while sewing these bags was the 2 ½″ circle from the Creative Grids Non-Slip Rotary Cutting Circles. In the past I’ve used dishes, glasses, and even thread cones for rounding edges, and it’s always been difficult to get everything the same. But using the circle template made it very easy (and the set comes with 4 other circles with diameters up to 6 ½″ which will come in handy for larger bag projects and for use as templates).
So…there you have it…my favorite zipper bags…cute as can be, easy to use, and most importantly…fast and fun to make!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
PS This wasn’t a sponsored post in any way…all opinions are my own (whenever I do write a sponsored review I will announce that at the beginning of my post)!
Hildy says
Love your bags!
A link to the pattern would be great too and do you know if the pattern is available as PDF?
joanold says
I'd really like to make a few of these for christmas presents, but I've hunted your site and can't find the pattern. Could you please post a link to it to make it easier to find?
Gina M says
The bag pattern is a byAnnie pattern, available at http://www.byannie.com. Her patterns are well-written and fairly easy to follow…I've made a few for my daughter, niece, and daughter-in-law and they love them.
Rosemary B❤️ says
Sherri, I love these bags. Ohhhh I want to make some for gifts
GailM. says
Your review is timely. I have this pattern on my table now. I'm picking fabrics now. Hmm, all I have are regular zips. I may wait to get the heavier zip.
ByAnnie says
Hi, Sherri! Thank you so much for your great review of my Open Wide! pattern. You made my day!! It's always fun to see what others do with ByAnnie patterns and the bags you made are just as awesome as always. Love you!
I used some of your Valley fabric to make a prototype for one of my new patterns. LOVE it! I'll post pictures when things get a little less hectic around here.
We're in crunch mode right now getting ready for Market. We've got six or seven fun new patterns coming out. I think you're going to love them!
For your readers who asked, here is the direct link to the Open Wide pattern:
http://www.byannie.com/shop/product/open-wide/
We don't have this available as a PDF download but we usually ship orders within a day of receipt so we'll get it to you fast!
Thanks again and happy stitching to all!
Helen L says
They look wonderful!! Especially in your Desert Bloom fabric. 🙂 When is the yardage coming out? Hugs, H
PKelly says
I am going to order pattern but would like to order zippers at the same time. What size zipper does each bag use and which do you recommend? Thank you!
Helen L says
So I ordered that bag pattern today, along with some zippers. Can't wait to try it!! Hugs, H