Sew Sweetness Dot Dot Dash Bag Review

Sara at Sew Sweetness is hosting Purse Palooza 2013 through October.  I love to make bags and needed to start Christmas gifts, so here is my first Purse Palooza bag - the Dot Dot Dash bag from the Sew Sweetness Shop.  

Dot Dot Dash bag by Sew Sweetness Pattern Shop

This is a big tote-style bag featuring five front zipper compartments.  Notice the curved accents on the lower front panel also have zippers!  The top also has a recessed zipper and an adjustable strap lets you wear this one cross-body if desired.  I recently won a few patterns from the Sew Sweetness shop and this was one that I chose.  

I have been hoarding this pink, girly skull fabric that I purchased on clearance from JoAnn Fabrics last year at a clearance sale.  I believe it was a bottom-weight apparel fabric, but I purchased it with a cool bag in mind.  I thought the fun zippered Dot Dot Dash pattern would be perfect with this fabric and am totally pleased with the result.  

I really like the zippered top closure.  I used a longer separating zipper and tucked the end between the lining and outer fabrics before finishing the bag.  I struggled to get the top zip fabric corners to match exactly, so there is some pleating in those corners, but the zip functions perfectly despite not looking quite perfect.  

The front zips went in easily and Sara does a good job explaining how to insert those long zippers.  I thought about omitting the corner piece zips, but am glad I added them.  It would be a good place to put some ear buds or a flash drive.  The corner accents on the back are simply sewn in place.  

The inside of the bag pattern did not include any pockets, so I added a double-patch pocket and key ring clip to one side and a large pocket on the opposite side.  I tend to carry my Kindle, water & snacks along with my wallet and essentials, the the big pocket at the bottom will help keep me organized.  I also really like the sliding strap feature so this bag can be adjusted for shoulder-bag or cross-body wearing.

As you can see, this is a big bag at about 15" long x 13" wide x 4" deep at the bottom.  It will be hard to give this one away, I love it so much!  

Check out the Sew Sweetness blog during October for daily (Mon-Fri) bag reviews and giveaways.  Thanks, Sara, for writing a great pattern!  I will be making more Dot Dot Dash bags in the future.