Saturday, May 1, 2010

Hot Patterns - Nairobi Bag

I finished it!!! It is pretty darn big but I love it. I always have to haul around a ton of stuff so it should be perfect. I love the teal color - very springy! Grumpy girl #1 wanted to be in the photo also. This photo is to show you the size and the real color. It's not as eye-popping as it looks in the other photos. Here's the original post with a little bit more information. Here are a few in-progress photos. Here's a link to the Hot Patterns page with the information. I got my download free (thank you, you-know-who!). If you want me to send it you, you probably won't have to convince me too much. I'm writing this small because I'm hoping that HP won't read this if it's small. They already aren't really big fans of me.


Here's the inside. This side sports a zippered pocket with a pink (all for you Paulette!) zipper.



This side has a series of pockets that you can barely see. Didn't I do an absolutely freaking awesome job matching the prints? It's so easy to do on something without darts, pleats, and curves. You can see my iPhone peeking out of one of the pockets. I made a few pencil pockets and a larger one for my wallet.


I decided to add a leather facing to the top edge. I didn't want the cotton peeking out at the top and I thought the cotton would be too dainty to deal with the magnetic snaps and the stress of open/shut, open/shut, open/shut. As it turns out, it's very hard to topstitch this many layers of leather. I topstiched through the outside and facing so that the lining didn't just go together leaving the main bag open. I never downloaded the directions so I don't know how HP has you put it together. I omitted the middle section of the bag. Melissa has made this bag numerous times and says that it's fine to leave that part out of the bag. It's plenty big she says.


Here's the outside of the bag with the straps. I don't like how long the straps that attach to the bag. They are too long. Oh well, there is no way I am fixing that at this point. On my next bag, I'll change that.



This is the intersection between the purse straps and the shoulder strap. Notice on the purse how I couldn't topstitch around the bag where the straps go it???? Too bulky. I'm not sure how to fix that next time. This time I think I'll just leave it. Oh well. I still love it. I'll get lots of use out of it.

57 comments:

Digs said...

Beautiful bag! and beautiful little grump :)
Love the shape, and the cheerful lining, and all the ingenious little pockets you managed to sneak into it. Great job!

gwensews said...

That's a terrific bag, and a good, large size for a busy teacher-mommie!

Sewingadicta said...

Beautiful! Great work!!

Victoria said...

I so love this back. It's beautiful from the inside out. The color and shape is so trendy. Hope you plan to make a few more.

Ann Made Studio said...

A very stylish and functional bag, you did a great job :)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I am going to make this bag too using the suede from some pants I no longer wear. I was already warned by Karen that it was a big bag and that I should reduce the size on the copier. Thanks for the heads up on the top stitching leather issues.

Beangirl said...

VERY nice! This is one of my favorite purses. I have about twenty purse patterns, and yet despite already having 2 Nairobi already made, now that I need a new one I was seriously thinking I might just make another one of these. Yours is definitely persuading me!

Sew-4-Fun said...

Beautiful bag! Love it!

Beth H said...

Love that! I have that pattern downloaded around here somewhere. Yours is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful and certainly looks as it will be equally functional. Well done!

Claudine said...

Very cool bag. Carry it with pride.

Shari said...

Great Bag! love the colour of the leather,the inside looks great also.

Jos said...

gorgeous bag! i love the color and the pockets inside!

Unknown said...

Great bag! Love the color and lining. You're a meticulous lil' bugger, matching the pattern on the lining... ;)

Christiana said...

Wow! Love the bag. Great Job!

Sherril said...

I wasn't even a little bit interested in this bag until I saw yours. I love that you left off the divider. I love the facing. I love your lining and the perfectly matched pockets. And I really really love the color. Thanks for sharing.

Sherril said...

I forgot to add: sherril at rock-art dot com

It would be easier to make if I had the pattern. ;D
Thanks!

Paulette said...

Dawn - looks awesome of course!! Part of it must be due to the sewing machine you used. ;) Great zipper choice too!!

Let me know when you want to sew again....

jillnjosh said...

It looks great. For your topstitching dilemma - Topstitch the strap (for show), and then rubber cement it together. I doubt anyone would know the difference. Same thing for your joining section (before seaming), sans cement.

Kelly said...

Oh I love your bag! It is beautiful and the perfect color. Eword10 has a great idea to reduce the size on a copier. I never thought of that before so now will have to get the pattern too and give it a go. Black Elk (leather & bead store in Anchorage) had some wonderful leather when I was shopping the other day... did you purchase your your suede there?

thanks k
tanasattic at yahoo dot com...

Uta said...

Great bag!

Noile said...

Your bag is beautiful! I love the perfectly-matched interior pockets.

The lining and your pink zipper are great touches -- and so is the facing. It looks so professional!

I'm really glad to learn about leaving the middle panel out. (I'd missed that on Melissa's posts.) I just finished the Nouveau Pyramid bag (which is huge) but didn't realize that the Nairobi is too. Yours looks like a very practical size.

Pam said...

I love it Dawn, you are actually inspiring me to buy some purse patterns . . . .

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

It is a beautiful bag Dawn. And I'm glad you took a picture of it next to you because I thought it was rather small when in fact it's quite large. Thanks for sharing your process!

Peace Thyme said...

Oh, could you, would you forward the pattern and instructions to all of us. It is just, just, just the right size for me. You did a fantastic job, Dawn!

Unknown said...

I would love a download too!

Dawn, also. said...

As always, impressed with the quality of your work and the amount of your output!

Bug Adventures said...

Nice job matching the patterns for the pockets, you are so BA!! The color is soooooo Dawn!

PS I would like one in red :P

Tina said...

I am so impressed with how your bag turned out, Dawn! (I would also love to receive a link to the pattern download... omnicrafter at gmail dot com)

MAM said...

Fabulous bag! Need to get a copy!

Angela said...

Oo.. great bag!! I love the color and the print on the inside!

amber said...

That bag is gorgeous! I'm so very impressed. :)

Anonymous said...

I was never interested in that bag either, till now! Love that color!
PS- glad you've been posting again. Hope everything's OK again.

BarbaraB said...

Your bag is beautiful, inspiring me to sew bags. I too would like the pattern if you send it out.

Anonymous said...

Dawn, how can you give away something that is for sale? Would you want to be treated like that? I don't know what your beef is with Hot Patterns, but this is really surprising from you.

Kat said...

That bag is absolutely stunning. What a beautiful job you did! You've inspired me to try. I would very much love to receive a copy of your pattern. My email: Katdale57@yahoo(dot)com.

meredithp said...

Nice bag! I happen to have that pattern, AND pig suede in that color! I will be copying you...sorry. Except for the precise pocket matching. Been there, done that, and can't find the pockets when you need them :-) Beautiful job!

Jean said...

Wonderful bag -- love the colors, both inside and out, as well as the details. Well done!

Christine said...

I love this bag, too! And followed it here from pattern-review, hoping to track down the pattern. (I have an old suede coat that perhaps I can cut up to make this bag). If you are still sending the pattern out, crosses fingers.

Unknown said...

I love your bag.

I would love a copy of this pattern.
Please email to kittykat at velocity dot net. Thank you.``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Anonymous said...

Ooo, ooo if you are still sending out the pattern, I would greatly appreciate a copy. cmsams03@yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Bag is gorgeous, fabric and colour are beautiful. If you are still sending the pattern out, is it possible for you to send me a copy. Thank you.
Sharonhepple@gmail(dot)com

Kim Hood said...

I love this bag. I have just found your blog via Summerset @ Pins and Needls blog. I would love a download of this pattern if you would be happy to do that. Many thanks.

Anonymous said...

Great bag!...You did a beautiful job with the Ultrasuede!
I would be thrilled if you could send me a copy of the pattern. I lost mine in a computer crash and want to reprint it at 75% to make a bag for my little sister. I would buy one but I really need to print myself to re-size. Thanx!
Luv your blog!
sewfancy@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful bag! Can you also please send me the pattern. nozukon@live.co.za

Anonymous said...

Love the color of the bag! Would love to make it could you PLEASE sent ME the pattern please.neice4151@yahoo.com

Denise

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful bag - wonderful shape and I love the fabric you have used. Would you be willing to share the pdf with me? I would be eternally grateful, as I have some gorgeous aubergine-colour faux suede which would be perfect for this pattern. Thanks, I do hope you can help.

Captain Obvious said...

Love your version. Would you mind emailing the pattern to me? I tried to track down the download but no luck. I would be eternally grateful.

Anonymous said...

Hello from Argentina! My name is Malala. Could you pass me this pdf bag pattern like a Christmas gift? :)
Mi mail feria_ropa_2010@hotmail.com
Thanks Papa Noel!! :))))

kath said...

Love this bag. I had a copy and my computer crashed. Lost it all. If you still have it, could you send it to me? knpfuller @ yahoo.com

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am not a fan of bags, but saw this pattern and came across your fabulous version and can't help it; no trouble to you but if you still giving away copies, I would gratefully like to have one. Many thanks KDunlop2004@yahoo.com.

Sealina said...

I had this in my stash but can't seem to find it. Would you mind emailing me a copy also? Sealinam at aol dot com. Thank you!

DENISE said...

just came across your site and i would LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF THE NAIROBI BAG. Could you please sent me a copy of it at neice4151@yahoo.com. thanks in advance

alana said...

I'd be so happy if you would send me a copy. I've been thinking about making this for awhile now. Thank-you, thank-you!! alana0123 at yahoo dot com.

Diane Mullins said...

Hi Dawn, Beautiful bag! I love the teal fabric. I began one of these bags several months ago and set it aside (frustration). Anyway, my mom is here visiting and offered to finish the bag-- but I can't find the directions! Could you email me a set of instructions? Thank you in advance! Wibigail@gmail.com

Kim said...

I would love the pattern if its still available. Thank you Your bag looks impeccable!!

Sophia Gill said...

Nice Stuff... I Like it....
Carry on the Fantastic Work!


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