be well
Kathreen

I have also sewn her weekender bag – not a freebie but well worth the pattern price. It looks great. But because the stiffening used, Timtex, is not widely available here I was stumped about what to use. I guess that’s one of the few suggestions I would have for her: to include better descriptions of some of these materials that reflect the fact her patterns will be used for many years to come, and by users in many countries.
I went to Spotlight and they recommended buckram, which is a traditional bagmaking material. However, it is a complete b**** to sew. after I’d made the bag, I finally found some Timtex – they’ve stopped manufacturing it in the US,so I snappe dit up,
I’ll try making that bag again with the Timtex. The difference between Timtex and buckram is that the former feels a bit like a stiff felt, whilst buckram is like a heavy canvas – I wish I’d known this at the time of buying. It is a distinction that becomes important when you’re sewing through multiple layers on a domestic machine.

IN terms of the thoroughness of the instructions, her patterns leave no stone unturned and are worth the $$$. However my one complaint is that she’ll often use an extravagant amount of material that’s not always necessary.

Otherwise you have to actually look up a store that sells the patterns, and then go there to buy them (or get them online).