The Alice Book Bag by Betz White
Posted on August 24, 2012 by prairiemoonquilts in ReviewsMy sister sews amazingly fast. She works a full-time job outside the home and still seems to get more done than I ever can.
The last time we went fabric shopping together, she fell in love with this pattern by Betz White, the Alice Book Bag.
I liked it, too, but had sense enough to realize that I’d never have time to make myself a bag, no matter how bad I wanted one.
Katy immediately purchased the pattern, and all the supplies to make the bag, and we went home. That was on a Saturday.
When I showed up at her house for Sunday dinner the very next day, she showed me her finished bag. It’s sooo cute!
Here’s the back, with the pocket on it . . .
She used Hometown by Sweetwater for Moda in the canvas version for the outside of her bag, and Hometown cotton for the lining and pocket and handle. She modified her handle a bit from the pattern, because she couldn’t find the webbing as wide as she wanted it. I like that it adds more color to the bag than just the plain webbing.
And then . . .
She hands me ANOTHER bag, one she made for ME!
I got one anyway, and I didn’t even have to make it!
She left the outside pocket off of mine, because when we had discussed it earlier, I had avowed that I didn’t need that pocket because I wanted the bag to carry my laptop. And that’s good, because it shows more of this gorgeous fabric that she made it from. I don’t know anything about this fabric, other than I love it. Such rich color!
I got a red lining — my favorite color!
The only thing I had to do for myself was attach my own handle, and she left that up to me so that I could make it the length I wanted. Two bags in 24 hours! I told you she’s fast . . .
But it also attests to the ease of the pattern itself and having nice instructions. Betz includes lots of suggestions for options, and even suggests repurposing a vintage tablecloth for your bag — wouldn’t that make a neat one?
If you’d like to pick up a copy of this pattern, you can shop Betz’s store HERE. It’s the Alice Book Bag, and it’s available as a PDF, or check with your local quilt shop for the printed version. She also has lots of other really neat bag patterns as well. You’ll have a hard time deciding which one you want to make!
That’s really a cute bag. What are the dimensions? You are so lucky she made one for you! They are both so beautiful! What a great sister! I should make another something for my sister. I bet she could use a pick-me-up.
That is a really cute bag!! And how nice of your sister to make one for you too!! I know there are times my mom and I go shopping together and one of us gets a pattern, the other comments on it, and whoever bought the pattern ends up making two of them!!