Sew Sweetness Peas and Corn Lunchbag - Pattern Test

The lovely Sara of Sew Sweetness is quite clearly the bag queen (that sounds better than bag lady...).  I was lucky enough to pattern test her latest bag pattern, the Peas and Corn Lunch Bags pattern, and it didn't disappoint.

This pattern includes instructions for the (pictured) round lunchbox, a square top lunch box and two reusable snack bags.  

The zip top lunchbag is deemed advanced, with the round lunchbag being an intermediate pattern (I think the snack bags would be confident beginner probably).  I chose to make the lunchbox out of oilcloth which I had to hand.  Having never worked with oilcloth before, I decided to make the intermediate bag :)

Overall the pattern was well thought out and easy to follow.  I love the little hints to make things go better and I am really pleased with the result.  I would be happier if I had in fact followed one of the hints to keep the shape more regular which I chose to ignore :)  One day I will learn to believe that people writing patterns usually know better than I do!

I have since made one of the snack bags (will be covered in another post) and  that was also well thought out.  It is a simple zipped pouch but was constructed in a different way to how I normally would, so that was interesting to make and I liked the construction.  I really can't get enough of Sara's patterns, so far both of her patterns that I have made have been a step beyond the usual home sewist patterns and I think the resulting bags are very professional and great to sew.

I can see myself making heaps more of these and also trying the zip top version too.  Sewing with the oilcloth was pretty straightforward, though obviously thicker and more rigid than other fabrics might be.  I had to be super careful pressing it, but the extra effort was definitely worth it for the expected longer life of the bag and the fact it can be wiped clean.

Now I just have to decide which of the three people who have staked their claim will be the lucky recipient!!!