Simplicity S9935 Bag Pattern Review

I love seeing my designs made up into different things, and one of my very favourites is bags. Creating a beautiful yet functional bag is a fantastic way to effortlessly add style or personality to an outfit, which was what we had in mind when we chose to work with Simplicity S9935. We wanted an easy project which looked timeless and could be used for a variety of occassions, whilst show casing my designs.

The pattern includes instructions to make three different tote bags and a pickleball paddle cover. While we didn't make this, it is a sweet accompaniment to the tote designs. We opted to make pattern 'C' as we liked the addition of the large front pocket to keep things in. The size of this bag makes it a great weekend or 'going away' bag with plenty of space, although the front pocket could have been slightly sturdier.

This bag pattern offers a versatile design which suits a range of fabric styles. For our bag we chose fabrics from my 'Forever Blooms' collection for Lewis and Irene. These fabrics aren't just great for making quilts, but a whole plethora of craft or interior projects and garment patterns. The pattern's recommended fabrics include cotton or cotton blends, making my designs ideal for this project. For the main body of the bag, we used 'Forevermore' in White and for the large pocket, 'Interlaced Blossoms' in Prussian Blue. We styled it with the darker fabric on the bottom to draw the eye downwards. This combination brings a fresh, floral charm to the finished bag, making it an eye catching accessory.

Perfect for an advanced beginner or intermediate sewist, this bag is ideal for someone who wants to create a new bag in an afternoon. The instructions are clear and easy to read, especially installing pockets and attaching the handles. The fabrics which we used were tossed prints, so thankfully pattern placement wasn't too much of a issue, but If you're using a directional fabric, I would recommend really taking the time to pattern match the motifs as the due to the size of the bag, a lot of the fabric design is visible.

The floral prints from 'Forever Blooms' add a soft inviting look to the bag. The pattern's design allows the fabric to shine, especially on larger panels such as the totes main body, whilst the coordinating handle in the Prussian Blue complete the look. The fabric choices combined with the Simplicity pattern make this the perfect, versatile bag for any occasion. Combining practicality with style, I would definitely make this again using other designs from my collection. I can't wait to take this one on lots more adventures too!