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Thanks for all of your kind comments and emails about The Everything Bag, friends. Wow, y’all make me blush! I should say, I am quite smitten myself. Just a few days in and I’m loving it more each time I take it out.
I thought I’d take a minute to give you a few more details and tell you about some of its fabulous features. Y’all will love to hear that my brother and my husband (and my new BFF, Jill from Made it on Monday!) had a whole bevy of suggestions for me- it is an entirely different bag because of their input.
First fabulous feature (courtesy of my brother’s input)- tapered, snapped side panels. The provision for extra room when its necessary, and a more streamlined look when it isn’t, is fantastic!
Second, a {big enough} laptop pocket. Just last week I tucked my computer into my purse, got to my destination, and watched it tumble right out onto the wood floor. Ugh. But problem solved now!
Third fabulous feature (the hubbie’s suggestion)- Doubled exterior side pockets… perfect for tucking in a water bottle, snacks, Burke’s cars, all things that require easy access. I have dubbed them the “sippy cup pockets” because they’re constantly full of drinks for the Smooches.
The proliferation of pockets is actually probably my favorite feature. Besides designated sippy cup pockets, the laptop pocket, and the camera section, there’s a pocket for my planner, a deep pocket for Piper Jane (right now there’s a change of clothes and diapers/wipes in there), a deep pocket for Burke (right now it holds a change of clothes for him), a “Kirstin” pocket for my keys/cell phone/wallet, a make up pocket (right now it’s a Lip Gloss Pocket) and then about 8 more pockets for other goodies.
Fourth fabulous feature (inspired by the Kelly Moore Libby bag)- a removable shoulder strap. The swivel clasps are a bonus as well. This feature should come in handy when we’re traveling this summer and I need to have the bag secure across my body so I can carry Piper Jane (or Burke). Love.
Fifth fabulous feature (thanks to Jill)- tons of hardware and casters on the bottom. I have to admit, I’m a bit of a hardware junky and Jill’s idea to use it liberally was genius, sheer genius.
A few more tidbits and fun facts? The Everything Bag by the numbers-
Three– the number of times I changed my mind about my fabric. I had two other choices for the blue fabric (another wool blend that turned out to be too light and a teal duck cloth that was too bright) and another choice for the ‘leather’ (that one was too orange).
Four– the number of foam inserts ready to cushion my camera and camera gear.
Seven– the number of ‘inspiration’ bags that I combined to make this final fabulousness (Lovingly Prescribed by Anthropologie, Cake by Petunia, Gritty and Gorgeous by modcloth, The Libby Bag by Kelly Moore, the Noir Bag by JoTotes, the Spinning Globes Satchel by Anthropologie, and the Juju Bag by Kelly Moore).
Sixteen– the number of pockets (eight exterior pockets and eight interior pockets).
Seventeen– inches. The width of my laptop. Eighteen– inches. The width of the laptop pocket.
Twenty five- hours. The number of hours spent sewing. Possibly more.
One million times infinity- how much I love this bag.
Also, today is the final day to vote at So You Think You Can Sew. I’d be ever so grateful if you’d take a minute to vote for our Everything Bag!
Girl! You are CRAZY! I much prefer your bag to the Kelti bags and those are outragesouly priced. I bet it was a ton of work but I am sure once you get the rhythm down you could pump these out and make a fortune!!! Great job girl!
Crazy is a good descriptor. Also, sleep deprived. And a little tired of sewing. 🙂
But thrilled to pieces as well. 🙂
Thanks for the compliments. Loved your photo shoot pics!
I LOVE it! Any plans for a pattern/tutorial?
Yep- pattern/tutorial for sure (haven’t decided which yet- it is a TON of information to write up, though!).
This bag is TRULY amazing!! I am so glad I made it for the last day of voting – I was sick earlier this week and was afraid I would miss it. Thanks for sharing and all of your hard work on this wonderful bag.
Thanks for the vote and the compliments, Jennifer! 🙂
Oh my goodness. This is genius!! I would never have the patience to make something this incredible – but I wish I did!
haha! patient or just crazy, right? 🙂
OMG I cannot believe you MADE this! I want one!! Etsy??
Haha! Thanks Ashleigh!
Remember our conversation about putting our expensive cameras in our purses? And how we needed a solution? That spurred this on! 🙂
wow! your bag is amazing! i am so glad i found your blog. more inspiration for a newbie (me) to sewing. good luck with the contest:)
thanks gina!!! 🙂
I love all the extra details! And thanks for the shout out! I had so much fun being a part of your creative process 🙂
THANKS friend! Loved working with you on this! 🙂
Kirstin!
What a wonderful job! I love all the pockets, it keeps things so organized! I just saw the results and you won first place! Congratulations! It’s been so fun to see all of your creations and to get to know you! You are so talented!
Thanks Briana! I am beyond excited! 🙂
Ooooh, and I share your thing for pockets. 🙂
YOU WON!!! SUPER D DUPER EXCITED FOR YA!!!!
THANKS RUTHIE!!!! 🙂
This bag is absolutely stunning Kirstin. I have been staring at the pictures for so long thinking of how you put it all together! You are brilliant.
Haha! Thanks Jenilyn!
As far as putting it together, it is the same basic idea as this tote (http://kojo-designs.com/2010/09/kojotutorial-stripe-y-yellow-teacher-tote/), but wider, and with more pockets, and a little tapered. It is definitely the same basic idea, though!
YAY!!!! YOU WON!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Well deserved, I say:)!
THANKS Mary!!! 🙂
Hi Kirstin ,
Congratulations on winning SYTYCS! All your entries were simply fabulous and they were so diverse too. You rock !
BTW , I made my sister some pillow covers based on on your Anthro quilt pattern , with some modifications. I’ll send you pics as soon as she puts them on pillow forms. They did turn out great and all thanks to you !
Hats off , once again .
Have a great weekend
Shireen
I seriously could slap down some moola for that purse! In love. Love love love!
Haha! Thanks Marisa! 🙂
Did you end up ever making a tutorial for this bag? If not can you give me the dimensions of the bag?
Hey Rebekah- nope, no tutorial for this one (though, used the same process as on this bag http://kojo-designs.com/2010/09/kojotutorial-stripe-y-yellow-teacher-tote/). It overwhelms me to think about trying to type all of that out, even 10 months later- haha. 🙂
The large side pieces started as 22″x16″ rectangles (and then I tapered them down by a couple inches, making them trapezoids that were a couple inches narrower at the top than at the bottom). Hope that helps! 🙂
I absolutely love this bag! I would love to make one for myself, but I’m only a beginner sewer. How hard do you think this would be for me? If that is way out of my range, would you consider making one and selling it to me?
Thank you and you make a beautiful bag!
Hey Megan- not difficult, per se, just a little time consuming. You could totally do it. 🙂
Thanks for the compliments. 🙂
I love your bag! I am a teacher! I teach business and various computer courses. I have decided to make my own bag as well because I can’t find the “perfect” bag. I do sew but I’ve never attempted anything like this! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks Sandra! Before I was home with the Smooches, I was an elementary teacher- this bag would’ve been PERFECT as a teacher bag. 🙂 Send over your pics when yours is done- I’d love to see it!