PPC5- A Triple Threat

(This post is part of a continuing series focusing on the development of a new handbag pattern from its initial conception to it's release.)

So... in our last post in this series, we revealed the first usable sample of our new design, and while it certainly wasn't a thing of beauty, we were sufficiently satisfied with the design and construction to move forward with some sample we figure to be keepers.Here's some of the design situations we're still addressing though:

• adding a third, even smaller zip on/off unit off to the side.
• adding a separating zipper of less than 5" in length to our line.
• Changing the zipper configuration in the Envelope feature.
• finding an improved, easier to operate key clasp.
• adding a flat zippered Pocket option, and

So, in this picture, you can see the third, thinner unit we added off to the side. It zips vertically into place alongside the other two units and is the same height as the main (forward-most) insert, but not as wide (by about a 1/3).

And here's how the fronts of our units look unzipped and separated from each other. Each Insert funtions as a stand-alone unit, or you can choose to make use of any two units as a duo.

Here's how the back side of our inserts look. The unzipped zippers do not interfere with the usage of any of our components and of course will be totally unnoticeable on the inside of our bag.

Now you might be thinking that it would take a HUMONGOUS bag to accommodate all three of these units when they are zipped together, and that's not altogether true, because look how easily it fits inside of our Harmony Handbag... with room to spare!

And here's now the tall and thin inserts look when used in a single-line configuration inside the same Harmony Handbag... as you can see, now one whole side of the bag is free.  :)

So let's take in the various Insert features one by one now...

Here's a closeup of one of the connecting zippers, which by the way is a specially-made 4.5" separating zipper (in black & white stripe, my passion!). Although it works very effectively, some modifications will be made to the design of the connecting fabric pieces and the installation in the next round.
First off- the zipper box at the base of the zipper is placed too low on this model and it was quite literally a "pain-in-the-neck" to sew around...
And secondly- the whole installation process was a bit laborious...OK, a LOT laborious, but I'll fix that, I promise.  :)

This picture reveals the modifications we made to the Envelope pocket, in particular, to the zipper installation. In this sample, we have changed from using a two-zipper opening to a single-zipper and we moved the location of the zipper down from it's previous location along the top edge of the insert. I like this setup MUCH better, so this feature is a keeper.

What I STILL don't like about this Envelope Pocket is the darts along the bottom edge which give "pointed corners" along the bottom edge, (which is actually more noticeable in the picture above). I would much prefer for the corners to be more rounded and softer in appearance, so that will be my goal in the next sample  :)

Here's a good shot of the Credit Card Caddy for the Main Insert. There's actually room for 6 cards on each side of the Caddy for a total of twelve. I LOVE this Caddy, but I do think it will potentially hold up under usage a whole better if I put some interfacing behind those slots. Additionally, I think I'll install a wraparound piece of elastic next time, to provide additional security for the credit cards.  

And now, let's take a little peek at the new thin Insert we added off to the side of our original high-low duo. We've purposely fabricated a totally unique interior option for this insert, in this case, a partition which yields 3 distinct storage areas.

Which leads me to the most exciting & revolutionary aspect our new design;
       Not only can each one of our Inserts be used as a stand-alone unit, but all of the components are interchangeable between the three Insert sizes. For example, the Credit Card Caddy can easily be made up in a size appropriate for the thin Insert, (ditto for the Elastic Pockets).

And speaking of the Flat Zippered Pocket, here it is, installed in the tall Insert. This particular feature works as an interior or an exterior option in both the Tall and the Main insert (but not the Thin insert).

And just as I promised, I found an extremely cool spring clamp to use for the key clasp. I just love it! But I do not love where it is placed in this sample. I was just testing it out here, but since I'm happy with how it works and how easy it was to install, I'll place it in a better spot next time!

And now, I want to give you the details about the fabulous fabric I used for this sample and where you might be able to find it:

The bold prints (shown here in red & purple) are by Terrie Mangat for Free Spirit as part of her Los Sanctos Collection, (the purple/gold crosses fabric is also part of that collection). Terrie gave these samples to me at the Quilt Market a while back, but I found some for sale here at QuiltHome.Com.

The purple/red dot fabric is part of Terrie's On the Rio Grande Collection, but sadly, I couldn't find it available anywhere. Maybe you'll have better luck than me? 

So there you have it. We're still got a little tweaking to do, but we close... very close indeed to a polished design and this sample is good enough indeed to qualify as an official sample for this new design, which I am sorry to say is still at this moment.... NAMELESS (and its driving me crazy!). 

So stay tuned my friends, because next time I'm going to use some special fabric I received from Clothworks, which I feel strongly just might wind up on the cover of this new pattern!

And as usual, we relish hearing all thoughts or suggestions you have, especially if any of those suggestions might be a potential name for this new design!

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