The Ansel Camera Bag Pattern Review

In the past few months I have become a big fan of (affiliate link) Sew Sweetness bag patterns by Sara Lawson. I have added quite a few of them to my pattern collection. My sister and I both enjoy photography and I know that my sister wants to add to her photography equipment so for Christmas this year I sewed her the large Ansel Camera bag using Sara's pattern.



For the outside of the bag I used Tula Pink's "Deer Me" fabric from her Moonshine  and a green Kona solid for the straps.


For the inside of the bag I used fabric that I created by photographing my Grandmother's (and of course my sister's Grandmother too) Home Ec notes and laying them out together. I had this printed by Spoonflower. This fabric is available here. This adds a special personal element to the camera bag.

The Ansel Camera bag pattern is very thorough and detailed with photographs for each step plus there is a Sew Sweetness blog tutorial to make the mesh zipper pocket for the inside of the lid. It took me two days to make this bag. The large version has two removable dividers, as shown above, to create three compartments in the bag. The interior sides and bottom have foam in them to protect camera gear plus the entire exterior of the bag is made with bag foam as well.


 The sun was going down when I finished so I apologize for the darker photos. The strap is nice and long to enable the carrier to carry the bag cross-body which is great as it keeps your hands free to hold your camera and keeps the bag more secure. The clips are a nice professional bag touch.


This is the back view of the bag. The lid opens up fully for easy viewing and access to equipment.


This is the side view of the strap extenders. The bag uses two rectangle rings and a slider as well.


Another view of the optional mesh zipper pocket inside the lid and the inside of the bag.

I am very pleased with how this bag turned out. The pattern is excellent and includes three sizes of camera bags. I definitely want to make one for myself now. Sara's patterns are allowed to be used to sell the bags you make so I might sew a few and see how they do a markets. If you're up for a bag making challenge and/or you need a great camera bag I highly recommend this pattern.