WIP Wednesday and Finish It Friday

Today I have a WIP I am so excited to share!  I teetered on whether or not to make the Amy Butler Weekender Bag for my  trip and I am SOO glad I did it!!  I think I read every single blog post out there about it, so I knew exactly what I was getting into, too.  And I can honestly say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I would totally make it again.  Now for the details!  I used the quilt-as-you-go method for the panels and didn't include any interfacing or peltex.  I wasn't sure about the piping, but I decided to make it myself instead of buying it pre-packaged.

I used a 26 inch dual zip parka zipper because I had heard the 30 inch zipper went down into the pockets and who wants to mess with that?  Plus, a dual zipper means that no matter which end I grab, I will be able to open the bag.  For the handles, I just used a pre-fab woven handle since I wanted something faster than the pattern called for.

Here are each of the side pockets...they are awesome!

And here's the back...I omitted the extra outside pocket.

For the lining, I wish I had more time to make extra pockets and stuff like that...but I ran out of time and didn't want to be installing it last minute!  The pattern says to attach the lining by hand-sewing, but I wanted it to actually stay intact, so I sewed it as far as I could by machine. I just sewed right over where I attached the zipper and it worked great.

I still have to finish up the false bottom, but that's simple compared to making this thing!  I absolutely love how this bag turned out and can't wait to make another one!

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts!