As an Island Batik Ambassador, we are given fabrics and other tools and are required to do a monthly project. This was a month that I had been both looking forward to, as well as was a a little nervous about. This was the month for the Island Batik Bag with By Annie project.

Earlier in the year we were asked to choose one of ByAnnie’s bag patterns along with fabrics from one of Island Batik’s newest lines that shipped to stores in September of 2021. I decided to make their “Switchback” bag for my daughter who headed off to college this year.

I have never made a bag like this one before. Years ago I made an easy tote bag from a pattern in a book and then I tried my hand at one of those rope bag totes. I have never worked with a zipper or bag fixtures or anything remotely resembling these bag patterns. That’s the part I was nervous about.

With a deadline in my mind, it was time to get started. It definitely took time and was not the easiest bag to make. However, the result is this gorgeous backpack/crossbody bag and it was not nearly as daunting as I thought it would be. Unfortunately I could not talk my daughter into leaving it at home. Guess I’ll have to make another one.

Here’s my bag making journey.

Disclosure: The products in this post were generously provided by Island Batik, Aurifil, Hobbs Batting and byAnnie

The Pattern

For my bag I chose the Switchback from Patterns by Annie. I wanted something useful but also fun and flirty. With my daughter heading off to college, I thought it would a great addition to her wardrobe.

ByAnnie and Island Batik sent everything I needed, including the hardware, stabilizer and fixtures.

The Fabric

With the exception of the dark purple, the fabric I chose was all from the new Island Batik line called Peacock Plumes. This gorgeous signature collection was designed by Kathy Engle for Tammy Silvers of Tamarinis. Specifically I chose the following fabrics:

From left to right, they are #112128345, #112129560, #112130255 and #112134900. They blended so well together and fit the bag pattern perfectly.

For the lining I chose Blackberry, a fabric from their Foundations Basics line.

Bag Show & Tell Plus Bonus Free Mug Rug Pattern

Want to hear more about the bag? Watch my video here.

Making the Bag

Like I said before, I’m new to bag making so I had some butterflies in my stomach when I set out to sew. There was no need for nerves however. The pattern and instructions are extremely detailed and organized. I don’t think that they missed a thing when they wrote this one up. There is even a page that can be copied where I can cut out labels for all of the various pieces. I can’t recommend these patterns enough.

So I did not get overwhelmed, I worked slowly, completing only a couple of steps a day. That really helped me with this project.

Here are a few pictures of the process. The organizational parts of the pattern were extremely helpful to me. In addition, Patterns by Annie has some free add on videos that help too.

I have to say I got pretty excited when it started looking like a bag! Even better was how great it looked when it was done!

Pictures from various angles. Love my Island Batik bag with byAnnie project!

Even the inside looks pretty and there is lots of room for all of my stuff!

Bonus Free Pattern

Look what I did with the fabrics I had left over!

As in the past months, I like to throw in a little something extra with my Island Batik ambassador projects. This month it is this super easy mug rug pattern. Because I received the fabric amounts needed to make my bag, I did not get a lot of extra fabric. Luckily I had enough left over for this fun make.