DIY Fanny Pack- Annie Pack Review

I’ve been looking around for a waist purse, fanny pack , whatever you want to call it for a few weeks.  I knew I wanted to make something so I went on the hunt for a pattern.  My first choice is big four when looking for patterns because there’s always a sale and I’m cheap frugal.  I purchased a McCall’s pattern, but the directions were confusing and it didn’t get good reviews.  I’m not really a purse maker so I need a bit of hand holding and when I need hand holding I go Indie.  I tend to carry too much stuff in my purse thus hurting my shoulder,  I typically wear cross body bags.  I’m going on vacation and I usually travel with a back pack, I wanted a cute modern waist purse to go with my tote bag and back pack.

One of the people I follow on Instagram, LeJanero Barnes is a pattern designer and she just so happened to release a fanny pack pattern.  She had a YouTube tutorial and it was on sale so I jumped on it, she held my hand all the way via Youtube.

Pattern Description: 

Annie pack

SEWING LEVEL: Beginner (YouTube tutorial, for written instructions only a confident beginner)

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, I’m a novice at purse construction so I get turned around quickly, but there is a YouTube tutorial and she walks you through each step and gives good pointers.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 
I like the connector and the size, it fits my Iphone 8 plus with lots of room and it doesn’t take a lot of fabric which is perfect.  She gives lots of variations in the YouTube tutorial of where to place the connectors and how to deal with different fabrics.  The triangle connectors are a little different, haven’t seen that feature on many bags, most are just tabs for the D ring so that’s a plus.  You could attach the webbing instead of the connectors at the side seams, but I like the connectors.

No dislikes.

Personal preferences: a separate pattern piece for the lining that’s slightly smaller so the lining doesn’t bunch up would be good.  Zipper tabs at the beginning and end of the top zipper would give a nicer finish.  I think having optional instructions to make your own strap would be nice.  Some people may want a strap out of the same main fabric.    

Fabric Used:
100% Cotton African print fabric for the shell and 100% cotton for the lining.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

 
I sewed the bag just as drafted, I used 1″ D rings instead of square rings because that’s what I had.  I purchased webbing, buckles, swivel clasps, and a pre-made strap
(1.25″).  They all ran about the same amount as the pre-made strap so I
went with the pre-made strap because I’m lazy it was slightly wider.   I used longer zippers and cut them down to size, I also used a red zipper as accent because I didn’t have two of the same color.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and I would recommend it.  I would make the lining 1/4″ smaller than the main piece and I would probably add tabs to the top zipper but no other changes.

I enjoyed bag making, not sure if I’m a convert, but I do like the bag!  I’m happy I supported an Indie designer and made my own DIY waist purse.

Are you a bag maker, do you make your own accessories?