Tom Bihn’s Swift Bag

By Guest Contributor, Kristine LeFevre

Tom Bihn

www.tombihn.com

Requirements: Desire to be organized.

Strengths: Roomy, attractive, heavy duty construction and easy to carry.

Weaknesses: None. The perfect crafting bag.

Introduction (Hi!)

First, a bit of background. As reviewed before here at macCompanion, Tom Bihn makes top shelf bags. All types of bags, but mostly having to do with any and all types of computer totes. From any type of notebook, specializing in fitting all the Apple brands, to even having a snug container for the Mac mini.

However, this particular bag is not one of their normal computer bags. It is a bag made for crafters of yarn, not crafters of code. It can go far beyond that. You see, I am a quilter, not a knitter, let's get this straight from the top. I know how to knit, and I have made a few scarves but this review is not about knitting. It's about quilting and the Swift knitting bag by Tom Bihn. This is a great bag that any crafter will appreciate, not just the knitters.

Description (all the technical stuff)

Made of 1050 denier Ballistic nylon or 1000 denier Cordura®;
Two clear vinyl zippered pockets backed with Dyneema Ripstop fabric
Button closure has three adjustments
One Black/White Dyneema Clear Bottom Yarn Stuff Sack with yarn guide is included
Button closure won't catch on yarn
Overall measurement: 7 1/2" x 12 1/2" x 13 1/2"
Volume: 15.5 liters / 950 cu.in.
Handles padded with Poron® foam
Made in the TOM BIHN Factory in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A

Using the Bag (The best part!)

What I like best about this bag is (everything) I can put all my quilting stuff into it an it fits. I have an 18 inch ruler that I have a hard time carrying with me, usually my other bags are too small. With the swift, it is tall enough and wide enough that I can put it in at an angle and only a small portion sticks out. I love the see through pockets. When I am at a quilt class or a quilt day, I don't want to spend time searching for my tools. I can see right where they are, especially my phone.

The Swift is so roomy, I can load it up with fabric, (the thought of all that fabric gives me chills) or the parts to my sewing machine, scissors, rulers, my lunch and drink, cell phone. I don't have to take my purse I can toss my wallet in and I am set.

I use the Black/White Dyneema Clear Bottom Yarn stuff sack to hold my pins, seam ripper, which I never really need but bring for my friends, and other small items. I put this right next to my machine to keep everything neat and organized. I have also used the stuff sack to hold my binding when sewing it on the quilt. It helps keep it from tangling up while sewing it on. I also use it to hold smaller bits of fabric for appliqué and hand piecing.

The handles are fantastic. They are so comfortable and just the perfect size for shoulder or hand. I also appreciate the button closure. It has 3 loops that let you close the bag no matter how full it is.

Conclusion (just wrapping it up)

I love this bag, and when I can put 2 of my favorite things together, bags and quilting, I am a very happy person. You don't have to be a knitter to appreciate this bag. The first time I took my bag quilting I had two friends ask me where I got it. They took everything out of it and really fell in love with it. One offered me money for it.

Her comment was "if I am goingto invest money into my hobby and use quality tools, I need a quality bag to hold it all in, and this is the bag." She ordered one this week I believe.

I am always looking for excuses to use this bag. It is great for all kinds of crafts and for anyone who loves quality. Since I have been using Tom Bihn bags I have not needed to buy other bags because these bags do everything and last forever.