Serendipity Hip Bag Pattern Review & Tilly The Card Holder

I'm really excited to be showing you this bag today because the design is just wonderful and I used fabric that I bought while I was away visiting my daughter and absolutely love the outcome.

I really wanted to take it out for a spin but it was too late so I put it on and walked around the house stroking it and saying how beautiful it was. Hubby really thought I'd lost the plot LOLLL
Finally the following day I took it out to see how it performed for my needs.

I normally make my bags with upholstery fabrics because I can't find the right interfacing to make them nice and firm but just lately I've found the perfect interfacing for bags so I'm switching over to using quilting cottons which gives a larger variety of designs.

Isn't this fabric just adorable.

I've been wanting a hipster for ages but never found just the right one until I saw Christine's Serendipity Hip Bag and fell in love with it. This isn't a large bag, it measures Approx: W 20cm X H 25cm X D 4.5cm. (W 8" X H 10" X D 1¾”) but is perfect for those days when you don't need everything but the kitchen sink.

Although small it still has loads of pockets to keep things organized and has an adjustable strap so you can choose how to wear it.

The front has a slip pocket behind the zipper pocket and also a slip pocket for your cell phone.

The main curved zipper pocket compartment also has 2 card pockets and a slip pocket behind those. In the pattern there is also an inside zipper pocket that is placed above the card pockets but I didn't put mine here, instead I added this zipper pocket to the back of the bag. It leaves the inside uncluttered. Ok honesty is always the best policy, I actually misread the pattern and added it to the back of my bag by mistake LOLLL but I'm really happy with it there as I find it's easier to get to things.

I keep my cards in my wallet so next time I make this bag I'll replace the card pockets for a larger slip pocket and maybe even put one on each side.

This is the back view with the zipper that shouldn't be there LOL. I also quilted my bag with these wavy lines to make the bag even firmer plus I think it looks pretty.

I can't stop looking at this fabric.

Christine's patterns are first class and this one is no exception and I promise you I'm not just saying that to advertise her patterns. If you want a bag that has loads of pockets to help you stay organized and a good quality bag that looks like you bought a designer bag then you must try them out.

All of her patterns are very detailed with loads of instructions and photos galore to help you make your bag without having to pull your hair out wondering what you should be doing.
When I first started testing bags I didn't have much experience and had only made bags from free tutorials. Christine was the first designer I tested for and  I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to do it but after receiving the first pattern I was amazed at how easy she made it. It wasn't just a pattern I was getting, it was like getting sewing classes thrown in.

The Serendipity Hip pattern has 58 pages which includes printing instructions, fabric suggestions, links to where you can buy the hardware, instructions, photos galore and your pattern pieces and becasue you probably wouldn't want to print out the whole lot there is a Text Only Instructions For Printing.

At the moment Christine is having a GIVEAWAY on her blog. Her sponser the Fat Quarter Shop is offering a fat quarter bundle of fabric and Christine is giving away the Serendipity Hip Pattern and if you've already bought the pattern you can still enter and if you win you'll be refunded the price of the pattern. How good is that!!!!!!

Entry is open WORLDWIDE and open until 12:00 am 20th November EST (USA & Canada) so head on over and try your luck. If you can't wait that long to see if you're the lucky winner then you can buy the pattern from Christine's pattern shop or etsy

Now because I love this fabric so much I wanted to make a matching wallet but didn't have the time so opted for the Tilly Card Holder.

This card holder is so quick too make it took me longer to open my FB page than it did to make it.
Tilly is the design of Karis at CloBird Designs and you can find the pattern HERE.
Remember the Fiona Folding Wallet I made HERE well this is also a design by Karis and is the one I wanted to make to match my bag. As soon as I have a spare moment I'll be making one.

Today I'm finishing off something completely unrelated to bags and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you as soon as it's finished. It's a gift for my friends 2 year old which is tomorrow so I'd best get my skates on.

Happy Sewing

~ Maria ~