Another Metropolitan Bag

The Indygo Junction Metropolitan Bag strikes again! I love the first one that I made, so here's another - just a little different.

This is a copy of my review from PR. I'm just too tired to create anything original right now.

Pattern Description: Handbag with either short or long handles. This time I made the long handles
One of the women I sing with at church was admiring my original bag and wanted me to make one for her. I knew she was learning to sew, so I told her that I would help her make one for herself. I had been wanting to make another one, so this was a good excuses to get started on it.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes the instructions are easy to follow. Executing them is not as easy. Actually, everything about this is easy, except when you are sewing 9 layers of fabric plus interfacing together!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I made this pattern a few months ago when I thought I was going to do the wardrobe contest. I did the handbag first, and it ended up being my favorite bag!

Fabric Used: Some great cotton prints that I got from the quilt shop in the town where I work.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Lots! First of all, I cut this bag a little larger than my first version. Actually, the original size is perfect for holding all of my stuff, but I thought I would like the look of a little larger bag, since "big bags" seem to be "in" everywhere.


Next, the pattern calls for muslin for the interfacing. I used fusible fleece instead. This gives the bag a lot more "heft" and I like the look of it. I does make it more difficult to manipulate when sewing, though.
What I love about this bag the most is the pockets! Oh, wait, there ARE NO pockets in the pattern. You have to add them on your own. You can see more detail on the pockets in my last review, but I also did a tutorial on my blog.
blog tutorial


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I have already made this twice, and may make it again.

Conclusion: This is a great bag and I love the magnetic snap. But I MUST have pockets in my bag. One for cell phone, one for cards, one for keys, and one for "personal items" that zips. I think this pattern is OOP, but if you can find it, it is a great purse pattern (but, remember to add the pockets)!