My local Joann’s recently asked me to teach a class showing how to make this pattern.

Since I never made it before, I did a sample to familiarize myself with the steps.

Here’s my review of the pattern, Simplicity 2274:

Pattern Description: Large overnight bag with zipper top, one zippered end pocket and front pocket.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were well written

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the way the pockets were added. I didn’t care for the recommended strap material.

Fabric Used: Quilting cotton from Joann’s. I choose to make the strap decoration and all the pockets out of a contrasting fabric.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Instead of 3.5-inch jute webbing for the straps, I used a 1.5-inch braided twine strap. It’s much softer and nicer. I used the same pattern pieces for the strap decoration, (you only need three of the four they tell you to cut, btw) but first sewed the short ends together, then seamed this length into a long tube, right sides together. You then press the long seam open, turn right side out and press flat, with the seam centered on the back. This is the perfect width to top stitch onto the 1.5-inch straps.

Also, step 6 tells you to cut your handles into two 62-inch pieces, which is silly because they are all one long piece. So instead, cut a 125-inch piece, seam the ends together and press seam open. Now you only have to top stitch over two layers at the seam. rather than three.

And, it’s just as easy to cut two #2 pieces, bag front pocket, as it is to cut one. So I cut two and added one to each side. You can’t have too many pockets, right?

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don’t think I need more than one of these, but I might make it again as a gift.

Conclusion: A nice bag that goes together easily. Consider using a prequilted fabric to save time. Also, finishing the edges of the quilted sections with a serger makes a much nicer inside finish.

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