The Sandhill Sling and Leopard love

 Hola, happy Sunday people!

 A quick little ditty about the Sandhill Sling today - another marvelous Noodlehead creation.  

I had been tempted by this pattern for a while due to it's demi-back pack qualities which looked useful for trips out and dog walking etc. (I walk other people's dogs we don't have one!) 

Andrea at Beyond the Pink Door then started making kits for it so I thought I would try that out - it was quite refreshing having all the bits and pieces in one place and taking the thought out of it! There was even a QR code to a super helpful sewalong to go with it so definite value for money there. 

Sandhill Sling Kit

 There were loads of colour options but I went for a vibrant cobalt. The bag itself is surprisingly easy to construct as it is mostly just a series of rectangles. 

I did not use the written instructions but instead used Andrea's video for the construction, whizzing past any bits that were not necessary (cutting out etc).  

This thing is ROOMY! I took it for a little test drive on a walk and managed to fit in keys, phone, card wallet, handbag organizer zippy-purse thingy, a notebook and a water bottle!!

Due to the bag being a 'sling' you do have to decide which shoulder you want to wear it over before committing to the strap. Just something to consider if you like different sides to the pattern. 

Whilst I absolutely love the bag itself, colours, construction and all - I'm not entirely sure I like the feel of wearing it. There was something about the weight across one part of my back and the strap moving. An actual backpack with equally weighted straps may suit me better as it appears I am fussy, but I shall preserve and see if it grows on me. 

And before I forget - check out the bright lining!! I loved how accurately the lining slipped right into the outer bag - hand stitched around the zip just makes it beautifully neat.

In a slightly less classy colour combo I decided to use up some A4 pink faux leather I had been hoarding. One thing led to another and I ended up with a super colourful leopard bag!

This is not a pattern of any kind - I just started cutting rectangles and made it up as I went along. It's essentially a simple zipper pouch with detachable straps.

The front is a functioning pocket with magnetic clasp and there's an inside zip compartment too. The blue leopard print is quilting cotton all interfaced with foam.   

Back at the Stitch Festival I had acquired the aqua leopard bag strap from Purple Stitches so low and behold that matched perfectly with the vibe and on it went. 

The bag is finished off with a little pin badge for that added bit of jazz (because clearly that's what the bag needed...more jazz.) 

Let me know if you have tried the Sandhill and what you have thought about it - plus if anyone has any little backpack patterns to recommend I'm all ears!

Hopefully I'll be coming back with something more interesting and a new pattern soon - but don't wait on that!  

Wishing everyone well and thank you for stopping by - feel free to comment and come and say hello on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Bloglovin too xxx