Craftsy Class Review – Sew Better Bags the Weekend Duffle with Betz White
Hello and Welcome from South Western Ontario to Day 5 of the our Great Canadian Craftsy Bag Tour!
Welcome to Canada’s sunny south where the weather today is a balmy 4 C with the sun shining. What better to do then sew?
Craftsy equips you with the tangible skills, quality materials, access to inspiring and like-minded crafters, and most importantly, the confidence to add your own creative twist to all that you create. Craftsy is committed to helping you express your unique passion, talent, and creativity!
Please note: I received this Craftsy class for the purpose of writing an honest review. All opinions and thoughts expressed within this review are all completely mine. This post also contains some affiliate links which means that if you purchase something after clicking on one of the affiliate links I may earn a small commission (but with no additional cost to you).
The class that I chose to review is Sew Better Bags the Weekend Duffle with Betz White. I have been sewing for many years but have only recently starting sewing bags and blogging and am hoping to learn some new tips and techniques!
The class is broken down into seven different videos that covers all of the components of making the bag. There is also a PDF material list and directions that are included with the class. The videos run about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Lesson 1. Preparing Materials
This lesson focused on cutting out and preparing the materials. There was a PDF that listed all of the materials and that came in super handy.
Lesson 2. Interior Pockets
This lesson worked through the interior of the bag.
Lesson 3. Exterior Pockets
This was a great lesson on different types of exterior pockets to put on your bag and this lesson also discussed the variety of hardware you could choose.
Lesson 4. Assembling the Bag Front & Back
This was a great lesson on the corner patches and other details that make the bag unique. It was my first time using corner patches and also using a zipper facing.
Lesson 5. Zipper & End Panels
I really enjoyed adding the zipper the way it is taught in this lesson. The zipper will never get caught in lining!! Also the end panel seams are all enclosed – I learned another way to add on end panels.
Lesson 6. Base of Bag
In this lesson the base is also enclosed.
Lesson 7. Finishing Touches
This is where I added the handle and the x’s on the handles. I really liked the extra finishing touches that really make the bag look professionally finished.
Overall Impressions…
I found that the instructor of the class Betz White to be very engaging and gave excellent directions. Betz seemed very confident in making the bag and gave very clear directions – I was easily able to watch the section of video and felt comfortable in working through the steps on my bag. I think that the favorite part about the instructor were her witty comments through out the class. Betz also gives the right amount of information through out the video so you feel confident working on your bag and do not feel overwhelmed.
I feel for a confident beginner bag maker the class was just the perfect amount of information and went at the perfect pace. I like that Betz captured all of the steps and I was able to try the steps and pause rewind or move forward at my own pace. Due to being a newby bag maker the content was great and I learned some new tips and tricks that I will be able to transfer to other projects.
What is my conclusions…..
This is a great class that I thoroughly enjoyed!! I also learned a number of tips and tricks that I will definitely be using for other projects. I will also buy some of Betz White’s other patterns.
This pattern is rated for a beginner sewer but I feel that it is more suited for a confident beginner.
The class usually costs $39.99USD (about $47.09CAD according to google today) but Craftsy are generously offering it for the reduced price of $19.99 USD by using this link up to the 15th April 2016.
Thank you so much for reading my blog and following the Great Canadian Craftsy Bag Tour!!
Shelaine
Come back here on Sunday, April 10 for your chance to win one of these prize packs.
Tour Dates
Monday, April 4
Seam of my Pants — Bag-Making Basics: Reversible Tote & Zipper Pouch with Kristin Link and Learn to Sew: Simple Bags with Nicole Vasbinder
Tuesday, April 5
Sprouting JubeJube — Sew Sturdy: Home Organizers with Annie Unrein
Lulu & Celeste — Sewing With Oilcloth: Bags & Baskets with Kathy McGee
Wednesday, April 6
Happy Okapi — Sew Sturdy Travel Organizers with Annie Unrein
Thursday, April 7
Michelle’s Creations — Mix & Match: Clutch Bag Techniques with Janelle MacKay
Friday, April 8
Shelaine’s Designs — Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel with Betz White
Tangled Blossom Designs — 20 Essential Techniques for Better Bags with Lisa Lam
Saturday, April 9
Emmaline Bags — Recap/Roundup
Sunday, April 10
Sur “prizes“
Love the duffle bag you made
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Love the bag, thanks for your review.
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Your duffle looks fabulous!! When I make one I’m sure I’ll want to use it daily, so I’ll use it to stash my yarn for whatever crochet product I’m working on and my iPad! I would also use it on Wednesdays to carry sewing stuff when I go to my weekly Sit ‘n Sew!
BeckAnn from Texas
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I would use your duffel bag for sew along sessions, to cart all my stuff!
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Thanks for the review of the duffle bag. These are usually too large and heavy for me. But I’d certainly make for a friend.
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Very nice… wanting to make one for my upcoming kayak/whale-watching tour!
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love the tutorial
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thank you for the tutorial. I usually carry my IPOD in my duffel. crystalbluern at tds dot net
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Thanks for your comments from the prospective of a new bag maker. I think it’s a good project for me.
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Excellent review. I would carry overnight supplies or sewing project supplies in my duffle.
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I am new to makong bags, and I love the challenges it brings! I would love to try the Weekender bag.
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I need a new duffle for packing for an overnight- just a change of clothes, some toiletries, and off we go!
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This would be a great bag to put my kids stuff in when we go on our weekend getaways! Perfect for just the right amount of stuff. Would need a second one for my stuff. Also, I love the fabric you used.
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This duffle is a perfect carry-on bag
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Love the bag you made. I would use a duffle to carry a clean change of clothes after a day of fourwheeling.
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I would probably use it to carry overnight stuff since my suitcases are all larger sizes.
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Love the bag – perfect for my daughter’s sleepovers at my parents’ house!
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I would carry the kids jackets in a duffel like this. Perfect for the upcoming winter sports.
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I need to make this bag for my weekend camping trips – it would be perfect!
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Great weekender bag for my daughter.
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Thanks for the great review. This is a pattern that I love and cannot wait to purchase when I get all caught up on to do list!!
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I would use it to carry the mass amount of research I am in the midst of for grad school
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I love making bags!
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Great review! I might need to make one of these soon for my son’s Taekwando kit!
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Beautiful bag. This would be a perfect gift to make for my granddaughter for youth camp.
Thanks for your teaching skills to help us beginners.
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I would carry a few days change of clothes in my duffle bag, for when I visit out of town friends.
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I love the Duffle Bag. Can’t wait to make it. Great for my frequent over night stays in hospital or for nights away with my husband.
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Roomy bag and you did beautifully Shelaine:). Expert bag make you are! When not using as a weekender bag I would probably store some of my fabric stash and bag making hardware, interfacing, etc. That way it’s ready to tote to a class or just to sew w/friends. Thank you.
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Great review. I love duffles. I like making them for the kids and they carry all their stuff in them when we go away for a weekend. Easy to pack and go.
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Greetings from St. George, Utah! Ruffles are great for travel! So anything for a good short trip would go in my duffle 😁
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Love the bag
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This is such a versatile duffle pattern. Easy but classy looking. I will put books and clothes to visit my kids.
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Thanks for the review. You can never have too many pretty bags!
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It is a very nice bag,,Wish I had one too,great idea
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hi, gorgeous duffel pattern! i would stuff my duffel full of my daughter’s toys to ensure her room stays clean (mila is 3)
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I would use this a lot. I have to travel out of town once a month to go help my parents. This would be perfect for it.
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I have thought about making this bag for my daughter for P.E. Thanks for the review.
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I love duffle bags for day trips! Big enough for snacks, diapers and extra clothes for the kiddies!
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Hopefully, I would carry my underwear in my duffle. Every trip I take, that’s the thing I always forget!
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I need a duffle for my everyday stuff. I’m a very old girl scout…I must be prepared at all times !!
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i’d use it as a diaper bag for day trips
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