Bag Pattern Making Part 1: Design 

Thank you! I get emails all of the time from people saying "you copied this!" or "they copied you!"... no... unless someone lifts the pattern contents straight up, it's not a "copy" and it infuriates me. I have a pattern in the works right now that looks just like one that was released last week. Clearly she was a couple weeks ahead of me on testers, but sheesh!

Agree!

I seriously need to do the second part. I always try to time it around when I'm designing a new pattern, but then I end up getting carried away and forget to document the process!

Sure can!

I have been meaning to do this. I was going to release a men's wallet pattern this past Spring, but a LOT of similar patterns were released at the same time, so I wanted to give them a bit of runway before I released mine. Mine is meant to be sewn, not left with raw vinyl or leather edges. I do want to make a sort of bowler bag that kind of looks like a wee duffle bag. That would fit the bill here!

I hope you get round to this soon!

That's a great follow-on question! I tend to base this on size. A smaller bag won't do well with a super heavy canvas, for example. The way that you wear it and how well formed you want the shape will be will also dictate your interfacings. I will cover this in more detail in the next video, because that's about making the first pattern pieces and starting the testing process.

I have been meaning to for quite some time now, but every single time I sit down to do it, something has come up to derail me (new job, cross country move, marathon training). This particular series is a long time coming.

Funny thing is, I'm scared to use leather! I mess up more than you can see in the videos :P I don't know anyone off-hand who does leather bags and posts tutorials, only those who tool leather and post progress photos on Instagram :( badmoodleather and tempestcreations.

Most of the patterns I have purchased will state if you can sell products made from them or not. If you aren't sure, reach out to the pattern maker to ask for clarification.

If you're intent to design a bag at the very beginning is to copy someone else's design down to the pattern pieces to make your own pattern to sell, it's a huge moral issue. Ethics aside, it's just a crappy and unprofessional thing to do. If you're taking someone's design to try to make a bag from it and the bag isn't hugely unique, I say go for it. I mean, I've been basically working on a Loungefly mini backpack pattern with a friend for a while now. We just won't be marketing it as a Loungefly knockoff or using their name anywhere. Nor did we disassemble any of their backpacks to try to figure out the pieces. THAT would have also been crappy.

No I don't think I'd use contact cement. It can be corrosive.

OUF... I'm going to get DRAGGED for answering this either way - I wouldn't have a problem with it if someone did that with one of my patterns as long as they didn't turn around and sell the knock-off.

OUF?? What does that stand for? You are fun and educational to watch. 👍❤️

Thank you! I appreciate it :)

HAH! I set it up to premiere at 6am but uploaded last night :P

GoodNotes!

@@fiercekittenz thank you so much !

Hopefully soon! I'm working on another (free!) pattern, and I want to use it as an example.

As long as it's a PDF pattern, just print it out by percentage. Instead of 100%, do 75% or 90%. Edit to add: make sure you adjust expectations for seam allowances, final sizes, and zipper sizing too when doing this!

Not me! God willing I will RESIST THE URGE to make a tote bag pattern!

@@fiercekittenz And there is no copyright on designs. If you created the pattern without referencing another pattern, there should be no problem or offense to the other designer.

I'd say generally, no, from an ethical perspective. HOWEVER, there's only so many styles of tote bags you can make. As long as you do the patterning, designing, and instructions on your own without straight up copying, you are better than most people out there. I've seen a lot of outright pirated stuff.

@@fiercekittenz Thank you so much I am from Zimbabwe

I really do love making patterns and designing .....I started making bags at school and l must say l was just curious what really happens in the industry of bags and l had to do researchs and I'm glad I did .....once again thank you for the videos they really inspire me

The one I'm using with the grid paper is Good Notes!

I don't provide mentorships unfortunately. I just don't have the extra time with a full-time job, streaming, and raising a family. RU-vid is where I like to put my instructional videos.

I love your direct forward approach when you are unable to provide the service.