I am so happy to say that I have finished my Aeroplane bag! I started working on it on the 10th with my awesome friend Kristan, and I finished it last night at almost midnight.
The fabrics I used are a bunch of blue and grey scraps from my Marcelle Medallion quilt. Mostly Lizzy House Constellations & Pearl Bracelets with a couple Tula Pink Birds & Bees prints. The grey is a canvas that I picked up at Joann’s.
I used the quilt as you go technique to piece the main panels of the bag an I really love how they turned out. I used this post from Oh, Fransson! as a reference. What I didn’t love was the amount of time it took to make each panel (probably 2-3 hours for each, if I factored in cutting and obsessing about where to place fabrics).
I quilted the panels with a gorgeous blue Aurifil Thread #4140 it blended just enough with the darker fabrics, and stands out beautifully on the lighter ones.
If I make the bag again I think I will try and do the zipper a different way. I’m not a huge fan of how it goes into one side and isn’t centered.
This bag is huge! (dimensions from the pattern: Long 18-1/2” x 14-1/2” tall x 8-1/2” deep) I could easily use it for a long weekend getaway, and I can even fit my sewing machine inside with all her goodies. I already know I want to use this for the HMQG retreat in May.
I added a magnetic snap pocket to one side of the bag and I am so proud of myself haha. I have never used a magnetic snap before and I was worried it was going to be difficult to install but it wasn’t. Also I fussy cut some cuteness for this bag… just check out that adorable fox up by the zipper.
What was difficult was the darn zipper. I don’t even want to begin to tell you the number of expletives that were spewed while sewing that bad boy in. I’m just happy little William was asleep while I was cursing up a storm.
But don’t let my zipper woes deter you from making this bag yourself, I caused the hardship because I chose a zipper that was 24″ instead of 26″ so the ends didn’t hit at quite the right place. I just couldn’t resist the awesome metal zipper 🙂
The lining is a gorgeous DS Quilts print that I picked up at my local Joann’s. I love using light colored fabrics for bag linings because I find it easier to find things in the bottom of the bag.
The pattern calls for 2 zippered pockets on the inside, but I ended up only putting one. I toyed with putting normal slip pockets but I decided against it because I was tired last night and just wanted to get this baby finished!
I think I might go back and tack the lining to the corners of the bag because it is a bit droopy on the inside, but that could be because I also skipped interfacing the lining because I ran out of Shapeflex.
One of my favorite parts about the bag is this little star that I pieced for one of the panels. It finishes at 3″ square and it was fun but difficult to make. Those 1.5″ unfinished wonky star points were interesting to say the least.
Final thoughts on the Aeroplane Bag pattern:
- Easy to follow and great for a confident beginner
- The zipper installation is going to feel wrong, but it works in the end.
- There are lots of pictures and detailed instructions for every step.
- The long size is huge!
If you have been looking for an awesome bag to make I definitely recommend making this one, and if you do I would love to see it!
Beautiful bag! Love all the blues! Nice job!
-Soma
Such a great bag! I would love to make one of these someday. i especially like the little wonky star, it is beautiful! great work.
Emily at http://backtothecraft.blogspot.ca
What a beautiful bag!! I especially love the wonky star. Great work!
I have been wanting to make that bag for the longest time. I've been too afraid to try. But you have confident beginner down as skill level so I bet I could do it. I'm going to be brave and put it on my to do list. Thanks for showing it. You did an awesome job.
Bags can be a bit time consuming. They never fail to wow you in the end though!! The blues are so pretty and the star is darling!
LOVE the bag!! Looks great on the blue chair too, nice picture!
Great bag, you have done a marvellous job on this the fussy cutting is lovely and your tiny star is amazing!
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This looks so amazing. Your panels were definitely worth the time you put into them.
It's a beauty! It's making me want one a lot! -Lettyb
All of your detailed work paid off. This is so lovely and well made. I didn't even attempt the inside pockets, but now I wish I had. Now I want to make a blue one!
Nice work, I think the final product makes it worth the time you spent to do a great job. You will enjoy using that bag for a long time. Love the blue and white fabrics.
This is so gorgeous! I really want to make myself an Aeroplane bag at some point — the list grows! 🙂
This bag looks great! And I love your tiny pieced star!
Kim
http://tiesthatbindquilting.wordpress.com/
As soon as you mentioned the size, I was wondering if it would be big enough to store/carry a sewing machine, and then you said it was! I think it would make an awesome sewing machine bag.
I particularly like the fabric with the circles made up of triangles.
I love the final outcome! I think the quilted panels came out beautifully. 🙂 Thank you for sharing! I hope to make one soon!
you are so talented!! Seriously, that looks impossible for me lol perfect pattern my dear 🙂
looks so good. I love all the blue fabrics 🙂
that bag looks awesome! and i love that you "fussy cut" that fox. you really gave that bag some wonderful character.
Looks great. Can't wait to see it in action!
So pretty! I have been wanting to make a bag for traveling and love the one you made! Thanks for all the tips. I found you on IG and now I'm a follower, hehe. Awesome job! Thanks for sharing!
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Your bag is wonderful! I have this pattern and it's been on my to-do list forever. I should probably get to making it!! Great work!
your bag is fantastic!!
Yours is so awesome! Love the colors and the QAYG I was so mad putting in the zipper on mine. My thread broke over 20 times (I stopped counting at 20, but it definitely kept happening). Mine is kinda done, I have to hand-sew my zipper ends. Will probably do that tonight!