Today we take a look at one of the patterns included in the new edition of One Thimble Magazine. This is the Sunny Daytripper Bag by Stitched by Crystal.... this pattern is really making me want to sew my first bag in years!!!! Check out Becca and Brianne's version and you are going to want to get your own too....

Hey Ya'll, Becca the bag virgin here! ...Ok, so this isn't my VERY first bag, but it IS the first bag I've done correctly. See, up until now my understanding of such terms as "interfacing" has meant "a section in JoAnns where you can choose to spend very little or quite a lot on the exact.same.thing." Not so, as it turns out, and this great overnight bag was quite the educational experience for me!

Right off the bat, there is an entire description of interfacings AND the order in which to apply them. (No more floppy shapeless bags for this gal!!) If you're new to interfacings, go to your local craft store and feel out the options first. I ordered online and really didn't know WHAT was coming my way. All this said - it's a soft-sided bag, so none of the options are super stiff.

This beginner's thoughts on sewing bags:

There are a LOT of pieces to cut! Every piece has a corresponding lining and several interfacings, so every pocket and gusset gets cut multiple times over. Thankfully, most every piece you cut for this bag are dimensions (which you have the choice to print pattern pieces for, or follow a dimension chart - YEAH!). A rotary blade, quilter's ruler and cutting mat make quick work of this.
On a related note, avoid stripes or directional prints on your first bag It's nearly impossible to envision how all these little squares fit together until you've already done it! I actually did alright where this is concerned (aka, I got lucky!), except when it came to matching up the prints on either side of the zipper. Luckily the bag beneficiary is nearly 3 and won't notice ;)
Seams get BULKY. Be sure to use the suggested size needle! I'm not sure my universal size would have survived the experience. And I wish I'd used a walking foot for my top stitching, so my bulky seams would feed evenly through the machine. (Especially since I used a contrasting thread to topstitch!)
It's a slow, enjoyable process. I was really surprised how low-stress this bag was! Every seam is completed multiple times over, and nearly every one is a straight line. It was sort of hypnotic, actually! Next time I'm burnt out sewing over gathers or curves, or fighting with slippery/stretchy/delicate materials, I'm getting this pattern out and drifting off to my happy place :)
The construction is genius. Crystal's assembly (especially around the zipper, which I'd feared would be super stressful!) is so thorough and well illustrated! If you don't have a serger, you'll be especially pleased to produce something with fully enclosed seams. This is like... a REAL bag ya'll.

Ok, enough of my babbling! Enjoy some photos! Then read on to see Brianne's eye-catching, drool-worthy denim version!

Sunny Daytripper Bag - Stitched by Crystal for One Thimble Ezine, Issue 4 | Kate Spain Horizon Fabric Line for Moda Fabric

The Sunny Daytripper has 1 front exterior pocket (board book size!), two small side pockets.

There are two interior pockets, big enough to carry a couple of board books, and the bag can easily fit several days worth of clothes and shoes. ...Can I please live one day in my daughter's (super cute) shoes?

The opposite side of the interior is a blank slate. I could have left it empty, or added exterior pockets like the first side, but I opted to give my welt pocket skills some practice. I used the same dimensions as the main exterior pocket, and followed the instructions from my buddy Suzanne's new pattern in the Boys Bundle. Now I've got a great little enclosed pocket to slip contact information in!

Sunny Daytripper Bag - Stitched by Crystal for One Thimble Ezine, Issue 4 | Kate Spain Horizon Fabric Line for Moda Fabric
Cali Faye Collection Crop Blazer, Jocole Shoreline Tank, Mouse House Creations Clover Shorts for Willow & Co, Joyfolie Foy Fringe Booties

Ballet? Soccer? Weekend with Grammie? Karate? Sleepover?

Where ever the kids need to go, the Sunny Daytripper will be there for you!

The Sunny Daytripper is a bag pattern by Stitched by Crystal for One Thimble e-zine Issue 4.

Miss Sunshine has three exterior slip pockets and two interior slip pockets. You could very easily add an interior zipper pocket as well. She has handles for hand carrying and also a long,adjustable shoulder strap (not pictured).

The instructions are very easy to follow and include a color photo for every step. The pattern pieces are professionally digitized and easy to tape together. As an advanced beginner pattern, even if you've never sewn a zipper or a bag, the Sunny Daytripper is a great place to start.

The piping is not included in the pattern, but easily added around the two exterior main panels for additional 'pop'. I heart piping. I add it whenever possible.