The Summer Treat Traveler using Dutch Treat Fabric by Betz White!

Oh, I’ve been SO ready to share some great new happenings on the blog lately!  There has been a lot of creating and sewing going on, but very little to share and gush over. Until now.  

I had the opportunity recently to get my bag-stitchin’ hands on Betz White’s new fabric collection for Riley Blake Designs called Dutch Treat!! Betz is not only a fabulous designer of bags, a knitting queen and creates the best wool/felt designs, the gal has a created a stunning new fabric collection.

There was no question that I would make a bag or accessory.  As I chose my colors I realized that this would give me the chance to sew up a new pattern I’ve been working on, and maybe a few other things if I had leftovers.

If you click on the Dutch Treat official image at the beginning of the post, you’ll be able to read more about the inspiration behind the fabric line as well as see all the colorways offered.  But for now, let me show you what I made with this gorgeous fabric!

I tend to carry larger bags, so creating another one comes to no suprise. The Summer Treat Traveler measures 17″w x 12″h x 6″ deep.  The rounded gussets and used a narrow flat bottom create a unique rounded look, yet it stands up great on it’s own.  This model has one front magnet closure pocket outside as well as two large slip in pockets and a zippered pocket inside.

Riley Blake fabrics are great for handbag making.  They are soft to the touch and with the addition of a fusible stabilizer and/or foam I can easily be used to make loads of other projects, don’t you agree? For this bag I lined all pieces with Pellon SF101 and added foam to the exterior.

I designed the gusset to you can pinch the sides in a bit to create a more boxed look, or leave them wider on top if the bag is fuller.  Sew-in foam stabilizer for the body is great (not a fan of the fused) to keep everything from slouching.

The zipper was sewn on the top arc of the bag in a contrasting color and longer length so you can easily open it up.  I also made a zippered laptop case with handles using Dutch Treat that slips into the bag perfectly.  My 7yo MacBook Pro is happy to finally have a protective sleeve!

Here are the pattern ID and colorways I used for my bag and laptop case.

C5282-GRAY Dutch Wreath Gray                             C5280-BLUE Dutch Main Blue   

C5285-RED Dutch Medallion Red (Strap)              C5281-PINK Dutch Floral Pink

C5281-BLUE Dutch Floral Blue

Betz has such talent for creating and mixing vibrant, popping colors. Her fabric is no different and will look great with handbags, quilts and just about anything you can think of!  Congrats Betz and Riley Blake Designs on a great new line!