I apologize if I’ve been less available this week – one of the many reasons I wish my body was covered under warranty is the plantar fasciitis/fasciosis I’ve been dealing with for years. It’s arch and heel pain and it’s probably genetic. There was a time when I couldn’t even get through one single trip to Target or JoAnn without being in tears from the pain. Now it’s more like 2 or 3 stores. :-/ So after driving reallllly far, way too often, to see a specialist, they determined I was a lost cause with conventional treatment (shocker, i’m always in that unlucky 1%) and decided to do surgery. And it’s a one-foot-at-a-time thing so as soon as I stop limping on one side, they’ll do the other. I’m still not moving very quickly and won’t be for a while. I always have my phone if I’m awake but lengthy email replies are waiting until the next time I crawl over to my computer. They did my left foot first, so I can still sew for a little bit – it’s getting to my sewing room and moving over to and standing at the ironing board that’s exhausting. I do have something to be thankful for though – no boot. And however the doc did it, I only had it wrapped for a day and waterproof bandages after that. :D (This is exciting because it means showering like a normal person and not getting creative with duct tape and garbage bags.)
Anyway, I made four prototypes in the last few weeks. I’m not at all happy with the top zip tote - I think because of the extra interfacing for a tote vs. a wristlet and the just looks better with an inset zipper. And I’m very “meh” right now about the sling bag. The pieces all fit together, I’m just not very excited about it. So, I’ll back-burner those and show you the two I like. I have several more ideas that need to get out of my head and crossed off the list, but two solid prototypes is a good stopping point.
Mini Hip Zip Seriously Needs A Better Name
You’ve already seen the pink one. I’m going to make it in a few more colors to try out some different hardware ideas. The delay on this one is nailing down the right hardware. Ideally I’d like some 5/8″ slides so I can use the same lobster clasps and D-rings as the wristlet. Or maybe some 3/4″ slides + rectangles or 3/4″ lobster clasps. I’m hoping El from Tantalizing Stitches can help me out with the right combo. These came off of 2 old dog leashes, so I don’t have a source for them.
Backpack!
The Backpack. I bought this fabric at least a year ago, maybe longer? and I’d always intended to make it into a backpack like this. There are a zillion tutorials and patterns for these for kids, but I wanted one for me to take to the gym. I have one of those cheapy nylon ones, but I wanted a cute one with a zipper. I don’t usually change at the gym, but I need my earbuds, inhaler, lock, etc. and if I don’t keep them in a designated bag, I forget them. And I can put my phone and keys in the front pocket so I don’t lose them deep in the bag. 
Of course I’m seeing the imperfections – the zippered pocket definitely needs to get moved down. Otherwise I’m thrilled with it. I gave it an oval bottom so it holds more stuff, especially my giant water bottle, and stands up! Plus no grommets on the bottom taking up space. 
Button holes make the straps lie flat. Most of you on FB were fine with button holes. Yell at me now if you hate them and will never ever consider making this bag if you must sew button holes. :)
So, what do you think? Which one should I write the pattern for first??
The backpack!
And I hope that you get better soon. I need my sewing buddy at full capacity. :)
Thanks Natasha!! I know, I’ve been… going to bed early. I don’t even know who I am any more! :D
So far like 5 votes on twitter for the backpack too. I’m so excited! I love both but I also like help making decisions :)
I like them both ;) but I’d make the mini hip zip before the backpack…I think?? I see myself using it more-my only reason.
But I do love the idea of the button holes for the backpack straps!!!
Wishing you good health soon!!
Thank you!!
I love the button holes too, I just won’t want people to get frustrated. I think button holes + an alternative might work out really well.
Hi Erin,
Love them both, but for me the mini hip first! I have 3 daughters who all want one :)
You could probably make three in the time it takes to make one two-zip, so that sounds perfect. Don’t worry even if I do the backpack first, this will be next! :)
The backpack! Love it – hope you are up and about soon!
Thank you! Me too!! :)
Backpack, definitely! I think it looks absolutely gorgeous.
I like the backpack the best. Also voted for it on FB. Hope both your surgeries heal quickly.
Kathy
Backpack!
(Would love an option for a zip top closure though)
Keep up the good work.
I’m not sure how a top zip would work on a drawstring backpack? I don’t think I want to delve into a structured zippered backpack right now – my need for unfinished seams would probably drive me crazy with that. I’m going for simpler, less interfacing, etc. After the Daytripper, I need a bag I can make in an afternoon. :)
Love them both! Still, the backpack has my vote! My Jessica would love this!!!
On another note, so sorry about your foot (feet) problem. I know you’ve got to be miserable. Wish I could do something to help.
Thank you! I’ve been dealing with pain for a long time, not just foot pain, so hey if this is the last bit of chronic pain to banish from my body, I’ll take it. I just hope this is it! :D
Either! They’re both fabulous. Based on my gut reaction though (probably due to the gorgeous fabric), I guess I would vote for the backpack. Maybe my first buttonhole project. :
)
I know, that fabric is fabulous. I love it. My concern with button holes is that every single machine is different. I can explain the basics but it will require taking out the manual to figure out how to sew them on your machine. But I think we can work through it. :)
I vote backpack (and not just because you made it in one of my all time fav fabrics, I’ve made it into dog beds and Blythe dresses, and…). But also Its very different to your other offerings which is diversifying, and its something I could use my own self!
Yeah? I wish I had some more. I love the color!! And I totally agree, different is good. I love cross-body bags but I’m a bit on overload with them at the moment. :)
Hi Erin! Hope you feel well soon and that the next surgery goes smooth. I love the mini hipster!!!
Thanks!!!
I hope you feel better soon…
I like the backpack better, because I think the mini-hip-zip and the 2 Zip hipster are slightly similar (and I’d probably make the 2 Zip hipster). But both of them are really nice!
Thanks! Yeah, they are similar in that they are cross-body bags, although construction and size wise- very different. But I agree!
My vote’s also for the backpack–it makes me happy I have an automatic buttonhole foot. I’d just need to know the button dimension/size to make it work. I hope you’re back to 100% soon! I’m sending feel-better vibes.
Thanks! I have the auto one too. I never made a button hole pre-auto foot. I may need to look into that :)
I love the name mini zip hipster! It’s cute and I don’t think it needs a new name. I don’t usually tell people what to do, but you asked….I think you should write the pattern for the blue backpack bag first–or only–the mini zip thing looks pretty easy and I’m sure anyone who can sew a zipper can make that without a pattern–but the blue backpack thing looks s little complicated.
As for the button holes, I’ve never sewn one, but I would certainly attempt it if I had a project I loved that called for one.
Good luck with your patterns!
Thanks! It kind of needs a new name because it’s too similar and confusing with the Two Zip Hipster. The cross body bag thing is the only thing that’s similar and I don’t want people to think it’s a mini version of it (you can get that just by printing the Two Zip smaller). I do think the fast construction and finished seams will be appealing to a lot of people, BUT yes I’m also thinking backpack first!!
I like both the patterns, but I wanted to wish you luck with the plantar faciatis. I’m around your age and in November 2011 I had surgery on both feet at once to deal with a two year long problem with it. I’m sure you’re uncomfortable and you’ve got another surgery to deal with, but trust me, its worth it! Its been a little over a year and I don’t think I’ve had any pain in months. Last weekend my husband and I went to Ikea (like the holy grail for plantar faciatis) and although I was tired at the end, my feet did not hurt!
Although its not something that anyone can see, believe me, it is a miserable problem and I hope that the surgery works for you. I have a bit of scar tissue on the arches of my feet (which were once very high-part of the issue) and I still wear my “good” shoes, like Birkenstocks and Danskos. But it is so wonderful to be able to go for a hike, walk the dogs, or just walk around Ikea without limping after five minutes and wondering if there was a chair somewhere.
Goodluck and keep up the good work!
Oh gosh, thank you. I’m just so tired of it, and it’s difficult to explain to people because I look fine, so thank you for understanding! It’s true, IKEA puts me in tears. I do have custom orthotics that I’ve worn in my running shoes for years and will continue to wear, although it will be nice to be able to wear a pair of sandals or wedges for something fancy for a few hours. I’m lucky that I *get* to wear jeans every day but it’s also more that I *have to* wear jeans every day because my Nikes are not going to look cute with a skirt or dress or trousers or even shorts or capris. :P
I’m so happy it worked for you. Stories like yours are very encouraging. I’ve had a lot of surgeries in my life and the one thing I learned was DO NOT GOOGLE – you just end up freaking unnecessarily, so I haven’t really learned much, good or bad. I’m so excited to be able to walk again! I think it affects me more than I even realize. Just the sew-iron-sew-iron process of walking to the ironing board and standing there is painful. Cooking, washing dishes – I do it all through the pain. I really can’t wait to be healed!! :D
I feel your pain. I had the same problem and learned to deal with it…the best that I could. THEN…I tore the tendion in my ankle; of the same foot and was in a cast after surgery for 6 weeks. Cured both problems, but it was hard to deal with.
I made your 2-zip purse and loved it (left a review) so I’m thinking I need to make that mini one too. Just name it “Mini-zip”. We could get the point!
Thanks! I like Mini Zip. :D Very cute. I’m glad you’re healed. I can’t imagine being in a cast for 6 weeks. Yikes! I was bored after two days and crawled to my desk! Can’t really do that in a cast!
I have dealt with plantar fasciitis, and so has my husband, so I understand what you’re going through. It’s not fun AT ALL. Recover quickly!
Thanks! I go in for the second one thursday. I’m still limping but the one they didn’t hack up hurts as much as the one they did! So I’ll be out of commission again for a few days but once they are fixed I’m looking forward to a “normal” I haven’t had in a very very long time!! :)
I actually really like the little mini zip hipster! :D
Mini Zip!!! Mini Zip!!! Mini Zip!!!
I have made the regular bag just last week and I love it! My friends all want one but I would rather make them the smaller version.
wishing you all the best as you heal from your surgery. I vote for the backpack only because i never used my auto button hole foot yet. lol…
I really love both but the Backpack is what I’d like to have first.
The backpack! It’s so cute!
The backpack!
Hope you are up and around again soon!
Blurg. I’m sorry to hear about the PF. My husband is dealing with it right now, too. I know the surgical path will be a long one, but ultimately I’m sure you’ll be better than ever! Nice work on the bags. These are really cute!
I am thinking the backpack. The mini-zip could be made from downsizing the two zip hipster. Just my 2 cents!
Not exactly – They are both zippered cross body bags but that is about all they have in common. You could make three of these bags in the time it takes to make a smaller Two Zip Hipster. At the same time, even a mini two-zip would hold keys, wallet, phone and extras and this will pretty much old your phone, your money, and a chapstick. It’s only slightly bigger than a wristlet. PERFECT for teens or gifts. No way would I make all my relatives hipsters (I don’t have that kind of time!) but I would make these. Super quick!
OK I’m actually writing these side by side. It’s just easier to do all the diagramming, all the pattern pieces, all the layouts, etc. So I don’t have an ETA but I’m working on them!
the Backpack for sure. And i hope you are up and about soon :D
I can’t wait for this backpack pattern, it looks perfect for a gym bag that I can take to Crossfit! :)