I'm very excited to introduce my 2018 pattern for the Bag of the Month club: the Stargazer tote!
The Stargazer is a larger tote (15” W x 10.5” H x 4.5” D) with 2 carrying handles and a removable cross body strap. The pattern's hardware kit comes with 2 handle attachment options: using diamond strap anchors or vinyl connectors. The bag pictured above shows the vinyl connectors.
The Stargazer has a cut out style slip pocket on both sides of the exterior, perfect for your phone and keys.
It has gusseted sides and some lovely pleats along the bottom to give it some personality! The cut out pockets and side seams are accented with piping.
For the bag's interior, the pattern includes instructions for a zippered main closure, 2 slip pockets and 1 zippered pocket.
This year, my testers have outdone themselves! Some made the bag exactly as instructed in the pattern and others customized it to suit their personal needs.
Abbe Coury of Just an E made her Stargazer out of this adorable owl print with a coordinating navy cork. Abbe chose to use the diamond strap anchors for her bag.
Amy Wood of Pity the Spool made this super fun Goonies themed bag with tons of embroidery on an essex linen for the exterior and a tiny skull print for her cut out pockets. She used the vinyl connectors for her bag.
Casey White of Rounds and Stitches used one of my favourite Alexander Henry prints for her Stargazer. She used the gorgeous diamond anchor connectors but made her handles shoulder strap length and omitted the cross body strap.
Chera Phipody of Phipody used an inset style of handle connector with rectangle rings. This version is not included in the pattern but provides inspiration for a different technique. Chera's bag looks amazing in Cotton and Steel and gold faux leather.
Cyndi Farfsing of the Nosy Pepper also used the diamond anchor connectors and made this incredible version in Tula Pink fabric with silver faux leather. Instead of the usual D-ring side connectors, her version uses Emmaline bag's triangle rings.
For everyone who loves embroidery or leather, Jessica Daley of Twigs and Needles made this very unique version featuring an intricate embroidery panel on linen paired with real leather. She also used the diamond strap anchors but a different metal connector on her side gussets.
Lauren Zocholl from Love Vern Handmade made this stunning version with a soft floral paired with black cork. She also used the diamond strap anchors in a copper finish. Her photo also shows the bag on a mannequin for size.
Tester Line Vienneau made several versions. Two versions are shown above, without piping, to provide inspiration for those who dislike piping. The bag still looks amazing with the right combination of fabric.
Michelle Tripp of Barabooboo Designs created this stunning version in Art Gallery floral fabric with navy faux leather. She used the diamond strap anchors and added the cross body strap.
Michelle also wrote a tutorial to turn the Stargazer into a grommet handle clutch!
Sheri Ferraro of Munkee Made made her Stargazer entirely from cork fabric. She used a large print for the front and back and a coordinating sold for her side gussets. Sheri also used a different kind of metal strap connector from Emmaline bags but incorporated the rectangle rings as well.
Jenny Greene of Sincerely Jen created this beautiful version of the Stargazer using a stunning Anna Maria Horner print paired with black vinyl. She used the vinyl connectors for her version. Love the pop of turquoise for her cut out pocket!
And last but not least, Wendy Dunham of W.D. Handbags customized her bag completely! Her bag is made entirely in vinyl with the body in white and the accents in brown. She added the half moon magnetic clasp from Emmaline bags to her cut out pockets. She omitted the cross body strap and made rolled handles installed in a top edge metal connector from Bringberry hardware.
If you haven't purchased your hardware kit yet, you can order one from a hardware supplier in your country. Check out the hardware page on the Bag of the Month club website.
I can't wait to see everyone's Stargazer Totes in the Bag of the Month Club Facebook group!