Lots of traveling, knitting, baby prep this summer and not as much sewing. This was the perfect little project to get me rolling again!

The Fringe + Grainline collaboration is very exciting to me! The "make a pattern from an already popular product" model is great, and I hope we'll see the rest of the Fringe Lineup released as patterns too.

Fringe and Grainline have one previous collaborative pattern — the Stowe bag — that was only ever a pattern, and not a finished product sold by Fringe (I believe). Honestly this model seems like a great fit for Grainline. They move slowly, specialize in simple designs (that in my opinion have gotten increasingly snoozy...) and Jen seems to prefer knitting to sewing in her personal life anyway. Producing already existing patterns could help them move more quickly and ensure the final design will be widely loved. Plus, the aesthetic/simple designs of Fringe products fit very well with their established style.

Construction of this bag was fun, easy and surprising in some ways! Looking at a finished bag, I felt almost dumb for paying for a pattern for a rectangle with a square bottom and drawstring closure — surely I could just figure out how to make it on my own! But there were enough "unique" features and construction (at least for somebody who doesn't sew many bags) that I found the pattern price to be worth it. Structure is built up in the base of the bag by continuing the pocket piece across the entire bottom, the edge finishing of the drawstring openings seems rudimentary but works great, etc.

The main drawback of the Field bag as designed (in my opinion) is the leather strap. I love the look, feel, quality, and sturdyness it adds, but it is the only thing keeping me from chucking it in the washer to clean it. Spot washing or carefully soaking around the leather is a pain! Next time I make my own I won't get a kit so I won't feel guilted in to doing a leather strap.

I'm also of the opinion that the grommets inside are unnecessary. I get anxious thinking about tethering my entire project to my bag! Even though it's as easy as cutting the yarn and weaving in an extra end to free it. So that's a simplification that could be made by bypassing the kit .

The final drawback I'll mention about purchasing the whole kit is that while the pieces are pre-cut, they are not marked, which means having to print/cut/get the pattern out anyway in order to mark pocket placement. I tried to place the pockets without markings, basing my placement on the center of the pieces and by taking measurements from the pre-made Field Bag I already have. This worked just fine, but I wish the pattern gave instructions for placing the pocket based on measurements.

Overall, while I had a good experience and enjoyed using the full kit, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it or the notions kit. I'd be fine skipping the grommets, would maybe want to consider a non-leather handle material, cording is easy to come by, and canvas fabric is easy to find as well.

Also, how perfect is my tulip tag for it!

Designed by Fringe Supply Co, pattern produced by Grainline Studio

I'm a sucker for this orange color.