After months of prototyping, writing, testing, photographing and a thousand steps in between, I’m finally able to reveal what all the hard work has been about.

Introducing The Hex Messenger Bag and The Hexie Hipster! Yes, I’ve been cuckoo for hexagons for quite some time…I just had to work them into a few bag patterns.

The Hex Messenger has a cute hexie shape that’s super fun to put together. You can create a bold graphic look with solid colors or mix it up with your favorite prints. The Hex Messenger Bag can be made almost entirely with pre-cut quilt strips (“jelly rolls”) or a variety of fun fabric scraps from your stash. The bag is lightly quilted, lined and has a large interior pocket.

I made the cover sample with Robert Kaufman PURE organic cotton roll-ups. The colors are so clean an vibrant…and organic cotton to boot! I’ve rated the skill level of this pattern to be “Confident Beginner to Intermediate”, because of the piecing. But rest assured, I labored over every detail of the pattern instructions and intricate diagrams to make my explanations as clear as possible. Did you notice the vintage button I used on the flap? It’s entirely optional but should you have trouble matching the points of your triangles perfectly perfect, no one has to know. (wink wink)

Prism Style Hex Messenger, left, sewn in Stitch Organic, Lagoon color palette

For a simpler Beginner version of this bag, you might like to try the Prism Style, which uses full triangles instead of pieced strips. Easy peasy! Instructions included, natch.

Next up, The Hexie Hipster Bag:

Stitch seven hexagons together to create this unique quilted bag. The Hexie Hipster is perfect for using up scraps or “fussy cutting” your favorite prints. I love the construction of this bag. There are no side or bottom seams, just one hexagon sewn to the next. Beforeg you know it, you have a 3D bag!  I made the hipster shown on the cover with Daisy Janie’s Tilly collection by Jan DiCintio printed on GOTS certified organic cotton. The pattern includes instructions for 2 sizes (small shown below). The Hexie Hipster has a magnetic snap/flap closure, one interior slip pocket and plenty of room for your everyday things.

Small Hexie Hipster sewn with a combination of organic fabrics from Stitch, Daisy Janie and Harmony Art

As much work as they are, I really had a great time developing these bags and finessing the details. My sketch book is brimming with a million other ideas. As much as I had wanted to get more than 2 styles complete this spring, I am thrilled that the 2 I did accomplish are making me so happy. I hope they make you happy too! Both patterns are now available in PDF form in my Shop and will be in my Etsy store early next week.

This week I’m bound for Kansas City for the International Quilt Market to peddle my patterns to Wholesalers and Distributors. (If you are a retail shop and would like to sell print copies of these or my other sewing patterns, please email be at info(at)betzwhite(dot)com!)

Have a great rest-of-the-week and I will see you after market!