Pattern Tester: "Read" Book Bag

A few weeks ago I signed on to be a pattern tester for Michelle at City House Studio. I finally pushed everything to the side and actually fulfilled my promise of making the bag, and I love it! It appears I was late in getting it done because she's already released the pattern, but I still love mine. It turned out so very cute.

The only reason it's sitting out like that is because I wanted you to see all the letters. I also didn't put anything in it so it's standing on it's own. There is an option to quilt the letters or applique. I chose to quilt since I have been wanting to try it.

I made mine in red canvas and used a brown canvas material I had in my stash. Actually everything in this bag was from my stash. My books have selvage titles (Love Birds, Yankee Doodle, and Seuss), an embroidered title (Holes) and an FMQ title (Cook). I didn't have any fabric that looked like wood for the bookshelf so I FMQed it to look like wood.

Kind of just swirly but gives the idea.
I modified a tiny bit by adding a taller pencil/pen pocket on the inside since I figured this would be for the library or I may use it take my script and stuff to play practice. The pattern called for a regular strip pocket subdivided into three which I also did.

I also modified the handles. I initially cut out the brown canvas for the handles but decided I didn't want to FMQ it all so I did one side canvas and one side the liner fabric.

I love how it turned out. You should SO check out this pattern!  She is giving one way right now so run over and sign up to win before July 4th!