Bestie bag from a recycled coat

Blackbird Fabrics take on the Uniglo banana bag

I’m sure everyone reading this will be aware of the phenomenon of the Uniglo banana bag. For those unaware, this is the cross-body, half-moon shaped bag you’ll have inevitably seen out and about, on everyone from students, to parents, to commuters, on nights out and in the park. The appeal for me personally, is nicely summed up by Andrew Groves, professor of fashion at the University of Westminster and quoted in the above Guardian article link;

“What I find intriguing is not the design of the bag, but how it is worn. It has military overtones and signals to others that you are unconcerned with the flippancies of fashion, and more concerned with having an endless litany of supplies immediately at hand.”

As someone who is always busy and on the go, who frequently walks and often has dogs in tow, the concept of a stylish but practical bag, that can carry all my essentials (including my bulky awkward cans), without being overly large, feels like a revelation. I’m the kind of person who prefers to leave the house with literally any essential I may ever need, despite living in Scotland’s capital city, which also has shops. My most-used bag is my Fjallraven Greenland backpack, which I absolutely adore, but sometimes feels like overkill when the only additional item I need it to carry, other than my keys/wallet essentials, is my headphones. My second-most-used is my thrifted National Trust bag, which is perfect for popping out with the dogs, but holds nothing more than poo bags, keys, mobile and wallet. I like the middle ground of the Uniglo bag, holding more than a tiny handbag, but still keeping your hands free for dog leads, shopping bags, and life’s inevitable troch. The hard part about being an environmentalist, is the inevitable reusable STUFF you end up carting around with you; cup, water bottle, hankies, cutlery roll…it all takes up space.

When Blackbird Fabrics released the Bestie Bag pattern, I instantly jumped at the opportunity to make my own banana bag. I love a pattern that offers lots of style options for both myself and gift giving. A bag like this would make a lovely gift for a variety of friends and family, with the added benefit of not having to worry about fitting and measurements. I could imagine it made in a variety of fabrics, to give a different design for different people or circumstances. A black rip-stop for all weather, a leather for smart occasions, a waxed cotton for daily chores. You could use remnant shirt cotton for the lining, or go fancy with a silk.

Andrew, circa 2018, wearing the sacrificed waterproof

For my first version, it seemed appropriate to make the Bestie bag for my actual bestie. Andrew had a 12 year old black waterproof that had seen better days and was too far gone to be donated to charity. Victoria (said bestie) requested black rip-stop material, to replace a beloved Uniglo version that had developed a hole. The timing was perfect and the coat was swiftly sacrificed on the Altar of Creativity and Recycling.

I chose a vintage kimono cotton from my pal Moira for the lining, thinking it was white with a black geometric design. It wasn’t until I started sewing with it, that I realised the ‘black’ is actually a very dark navy blue. I don’t think it’s a major issue, since in the dark depths of a bag filled with gubbins, you’re unlikely to notice the lining pattern doesn’t quite match the outer fabric. The zip was a selection I bought from Needled Boutique on Etsy, it’s good quality and they have a range of colours and lengths so I’ll most likely order from them again.

The pattern comes with 4 options and two sizes. I went for option B, which is lined (with 3 internal pockets), and the version with the knot between the strap and the bag. I was worried this might look fussy but actually it looks the opposite in my opinion, neat and minimal. It also required the least by way of hardware, you can tie the right strap directly to the left bag strap loop, but I opted to add in a D ring I happened to have in my stash.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easily this bag came together. I was worried the waterproof material might be difficult for my machine to handle, but between those fears being unfounded, and the well written, clear pattern instructions, this bag came together like a breeze. I have second version to share, which did not go as smoothly, but I want to use that bag for a while before I report back on how it fares!