Changes to airline baggage pricing models have made me reconsider what and how I pack when traveling. Need a cosmetic bag or multi purpose case that opens into a tray? This is a Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag review.

The link to the Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag paid PDF tutorial is:

Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag – Etsy

This project is for personal use.

For the purposes of my review, I’m going to summarize the basic steps, tell you what I did differently (if anything) and share my general thoughts about sewing the project.

Introduction

The first time I saw a video of a prism-shaped bag with a diagonal zipper that opened into a tray, I knew I needed one. After an hour of scouring the web for patterns and tutorials, I had a list of free and paid tutorials for bags with names like “unfolding pouch”, “tray pouch”, “Willow Bag”, “Spring Roll Pouch”, “Zip N’ Grip” and “All Access Bag”.

The Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag paid download includes two sizes of cosmetic case than can be made with or without patch pockets and a middle zipper pocket. This multi functional boxy pouch is great for traveling or organizing at home. The smaller Willow Bag is 4.1” wide by 4.1” high by 7.9” deep (10.5 cm wide x 10.5 cm high x 20 cm deep). This is slightly larger than the DIY Travel Pouch Bag. The larger Willow Bag is 4.7” wide by 4.7” high by 9.8” deep (12 cm wide x 12 cm high x 25 cm deep). This is slightly larger than the Isabella Pouch.

Step 0 Gather Materials

Canvas, leather, vinyl and any medium to heavy weight non-stretch fabric with fusible fleece, and a separating zipper are recommended for this project. A second zipper and elastic are required if you are making all the optional pockets. I choose a cotton canvas with fusible fleece for the exterior, quilting weight cotton for the interior and a piece of #5 zipper by the meter for the main zipper.

Step 1 Optional Pockets

I followed the instructions for making the patch pockets with boxed corners and zipper pocket. My adjustable guide presser foot made it easy to sew my seams with a consistent seam allowance and my narrow zipper foot made sewing the pocket zipper easy.

Step 2 Side Panels

The panels pieces are different for the versions of the Willow Bag with and without the middle zipper pocket. I followed the instructions accordingly.

Step 3 Main Zipper

I sewed my main zipper to the exterior and lining in two steps and also top stitched along the edge of my zipper.

Step 4 Final Assembly

I followed the instructions for attaching the side panels, boxing the main bag and binding the final seam.

Here are some photos of my finished Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag.

Conclusion

The author rates this project as advanced and I agree. Unfamiliar techniques, a complex main zipper placement, and tight corners make this project challenging. The amazing final result is worth it for advanced sewers. Omitting the interior pockets may lower the difficulty to intermediate. Beginner sewers and those who don’t have experience with zippers and boxing corners should avoid this project.

My small Willow Bag is 3.9” wide by 4.5” high by 7.9” deep (10 cm wide x 11.5 cm high x 20 cm deep). This is close to the expected size. I had some trouble boxing the corners of my bag and the ends aren’t as square as they should be. I’m looking forward to using my Willow Bag next time I travel.

I enjoyed this project and have already made another!

Have you tried this or any other tray pouch projects? Did you like this Bag Pattern Studio Willow Bag review? Comment below and/or Pin me for later!

Tanya

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