The Great Canadian Craftsy Bag Tour

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.

Hardware from Emmaline Bags

Love the zipper facing!

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“