Pattern review: Two Zip Hipster bag | How About Orange

December 08, 2011

Pattern review: Two Zip Hipster bag

My mum just tried out Erin Erickson's Two Zip Hipster sewing pattern and sent over the result. And now we have a problem on our hands, because I love it so much I want a dozen of them in different fabrics. Is that greedy? It's my new favorite bag design.

It's got a zipper closure so no worries about your wallet falling out.

There's a pocket on the inside, plus two more on the outside.

The 9" x 11" size is exactly what I like in a bag. Just big enough to fit a book and an iPad, yet trim and not bulky. And the strap length is adjustable so you can carry it over the shoulder or wear it across your body, messenger bag style.

Here are Mum's thoughts on the process of sewing it:

"This pattern looks intimidating at first glance because it contains 32 pages, 17 of which are pattern pieces. But not to fear! Those 17 pattern pieces, when cut out and taped together as instructed, amount to only 9 actual pieces. The remaining 15 pages contain a LOT of photos, which are labeled and have notes to point out what the written instructions mean. Every detail is explained very clearly, so even if you're a beginner sewer, you'll be able to make this bag.

The bag has two zippers. If you're afraid of zippers, your fear will be gone after sewing this bag. They're so easy with these instructions, and they look professionally done.

One of the things I liked best about making this bag was cutting it out (which I normally hate). Every single piece is a rectangle, so with a cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter, cutting was a breeze. The VERY best thing I liked, though, was the bag itself... I love it! I will definitely be making more of these. Thanks, Erin, for an excellent pattern!"

So yeah. If you sew, you probably ought to buy this pattern. It's a PDF you can purchase and download right here from Erin's pattern shop, Dog Under My Desk. Have fun sewing!

Update: Erin has now added tips for making an optional iPad pocket.
Another update: Mom made another one!

62 comments:

hollymade said...

That bag looks perfect! Just the right size for shopping trips and quick outings. I'll have to get that pattern.

Poppyprint said...

That is an excellent bag! I love the pro finish to it. Best news is I may just have enough outside Oslo left from my 2-4-1 bag to make this one! Thanks for the review (nice job Mom).

Nancy said...

looks like a perfect size for shopping... I just pinned it...

Grandma G said...

It's a good thing Jess and I don't live near each other, or we'd be fighting over this bag! As it is, she's the "boss", so it had to go to her. ;)

Mum/Just the sewer

P.S. Thanks, Poppyprint! Have fun making yours!

Nanette said...

Can your mum start an Etsy shop so non-sewers like me can buy that fabulous bag? Love the pattern AND the print, obviously.

:)

Celtic Thistle said...

What a great bag and so well made. I am asking myself do I have enough time left to make one as a gift for my son's girlfriend?? At least I don't have to wait for the pattern to arrive! It looks like my to-do list just got longer :)

DianeY said...

This looks perfect! I am going to definitely try it. The funny part is I just took a look at the pattern & I probably wouldn't have bought it from her picture-she ought to use yours instead

Elizabeth Dackson said...

Oh my gosh, thank you SO much for sharing your experience with this bag, I totally think I will make one!!

Sandra said...

i love that. not a big sewer but I'd buy that.

Alexis Deise said...

Fabulous! One request -- I would love a photo of how the bag looks "on."

aL_and_Co said...

really nice !!

Jessica Jones said...

Alexis, there's nobody else here, so this weird photo I just took in front of my bathroom mirror will have to do!

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Gorgeous bag!! Have you seen Pantone´s Color of Year for 2012 pick...I am sure you will just LOVE it!!!

MyBunnyGoBoom said...

How cute is that? I love it, so professionally done.

Jessica Jones said...

Ha! Yes I do!

LeeAnn said...

I love your mom! You need to make her pattern reviews a regular feature here. :) I actually purchased the pattern of the last bag she made you during a $.99 sale at JoAnns.

able mabel said...

Wonderful!! Your mum is very talanted. Love her fabric choice!

Anonymous said...

i would never have given that pattern a second glance before seeing a picture of it in outside oslo! now it's on my wishlist (along with outside oslo fabric...). loved your mom's review about the pattern being good for beginners as well!

Kelli said...

I want one! :) Sadly, learning to sew is not on my agenda any time soon.

Grandma G said...

1. Thank you, everyone, for your kind words!
2. Nanette... sorry, but we already tried the Etsy thing. We're done with that.
3. Jess... how in the world did you manage to take that photo in your little bathroom?! :)
4. LeeAnn... thanks for loving me! :) The pattern reviews would be a little more regular if I weren't so slow. ;) Congrats on your bargain purchase! Did you make the bag yet?
5. Able Mabel... my boss dictated the fabric choice! Okay, we really agreed on it. But I just love that designer!

Alexis Deise said...

OOh thanks! That's a great mirror shot, and it makes me want to make the bag even more. :)

Linda said...

Totally agree with LeeAnn -- love Grandma G's reviews! Especially love that she indicates whether or not patterns are appropriate for beginners, since that's what I am! Would normally be intimidated by a pattern like this, but with your mom's words, am ready to try it!

Heather X said...

An ipad and a book! I love it. How much does mum charge? :)

Jessica Jones said...

Ha, good question, Heather!

Mum, well, to take this photo, I used a special technique where I stood on my tiptoes and backed up until the glass shelf opposite the mirror pressed into my shoulder blades.

Anonymous said...

I love the bag. I love the fabric. I love your mom.

But I misread the title, and then spent a few minutes trying to figure out--do you put the hamster IN the bag? Do you zip TWO hamsters in the bag? And variations.

Jessica Jones said...

I just laughed out loud. Yes, I believe Erin's next pattern should be a Two Zip Hamster bag.

Wendymoon said...

Looks great! Love your fabric choice, too, what is it?

Nina said...

Ah! That is the bag I've been looking for! Also, using your post, maybe I can try to convince my mum that this pattern is meant to be sewn by mums for their daughters... Do you think that'll work?

Staci said...

I'm so glad for the review. I've looked at this pattern and wondered about it. Looks like the perfect thing for carrying my book reader!

Las Flores del Sur said...

OMG. I love the size, the format, the fabric, the colors... I want one!! =))

Jessica Jones said...

Wendymoon, the fabric is the Sticks print in Dawn from my Outside Oslo fabric line.

Nina, I believe so. Here, let me help. Nina's mom, please make this for Nina. Pleeeeeease?

Grandma G said...

But a word of caution, Nina... your mum just might like it so much she'll decide to keep it for herself! Better get her enough fabric for two bags! ;)

ellen said...

I love that bag! I'm a baby lady...

mamasue123 said...

Love it!! Hmmm a project for after Christmas perhaps??

Grandma G said...

"a baby lady".... hmmm....

(Maybe she's pregnant and has babies on her mind???) ;)))

Mum/giggling

Rose Clearfield said...

This bag is really cute! It does look like a very useful size. How nice of your mom to sew it up and review it for your blog!

pak said...

Nice work G'ma G!

LeeAnn said...

Grandma G- I am taking some time off work surrounding the Xmas holiday and plan on sewing the bag then. I wanted to use leather for the bottom corners of the bag, and just last week was able to thift a leather skirt for $2.50 to use! All systems go!

Grandma G said...

Way to go, LeeAnn! Note that there are better ways to make those straps!

Erin Erickson said...

I absolutely love how it turned out in your fabric. I just ordered some of the blue and red! Thank you so much to Jess and Grandma G for reviewing my pattern! I'm so happy that you liked it!

Katie said...

Love this pattern but really love this fabric!!!!

Anonymous said...

I really love the look of that bag and want one for myself. One small problem, I have tried to figure out how much 0.5 yard is...? Google and conversion tables tells me its around 45cm and I am guessing that is the length of the fabric? How wide does the fabric have to be as most fabrics have a different range in width size.

Grandma G said...

Not sure where you got the .5 yard from. The pattern calls for 1 yard of main fabric and 2/3 yard of lining fabric. You'll need the whole yard (length) to make your straps. It needs to be 42" or more wide. Hope that helps!

(I'll let you do the conversions. Your 45 cm. is correct.)

Anonymous said...

Materials needed specified only 0.5 yard of material for the outside fabric. That was listed on the website itself. The purchased pdf specified 1 yard of fabric.

mo said...

Thanks for sharing. That is a great bag. Went to the site and now I'm sewing ear bud bags for little xmas extras. Will have to sew for me after the holidays!

Anonymous said...

Very nice bag i like it ,

Unknown said...

that is am=n amazing bag, love it!!!

BugandBoo said...

I love this bag!

Anonymous said...

Love your bag! Just want to double check it fits an Ipad - my daughter needs one for school next year & I think this is the perfect bag for her to carry it back & forth to school each day.

Grandma G said...

Anonymous... yes, it does fit an iPad. But if you go to Erin's blog, she explains how to add a pocket specifically for the iPad!

http://erinerickson.com/2011/12/enlarged-two-zip-hipster-w-ipad-pocket/

Unknown said...

That bag looks an excellent ..

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip Grandma G - looks perfect! On my way to purchase the pattern. Have a blessed Christmas!

Katie said...

I couldn't resist and bought the pattern. I made a bag today but I really think I need some Outside Oslo fabric for another one. :-)

Anonymous said...

A tip for anyone making this bag - definitely use a size 18 needle! I broke 3 size 16's, stuffed the tension & now my machine is off to be fixed - it was not happy sewing through so many layers! The good news is I scored a new Janome Horizon & the bag finished up a treat!

Grandma G said...

Hmmm... I believe I used a size 14 needle without any problems. Carefully, of course. But with the home dec weight OO fabric, I didn't use the fusible interfacing, only the sew-in called for. Maybe that was the problem?

Kammy T said...

Thanks for the review! It gave me the courage to buy the pattern and make the bag!

Carolyn said...

I have made ten of these bags now and I love each and every one of them. Good thing I don't keep all of them! I used the Sharptex needle recommended and did not have any issues sewing through all the layers!

CarolynB said...

Ditto the etsy shop recommendation. I have been looking for a bag like this but I don't see well especially anything with zippers. Please have your mum make a lot and sell them!!!

Kristy said...

I just finished this bag yesterday, and bought the pattern upon your recommendation! I love it!

My machine did have a little trouble with some of the layers and the fusible interfacing, but she slogged through it!

I love the zipper instructions, and am definitely over my fear of zippers!

Thank you so much for the post!

Jessica Jones said...

Yay! Congrats on your new bag!

Edie said...

I've got to have this pattern. This bag is perfect for my needs.

JenShep said...

I want this pattern... how can i get it??