The Paris Clutch and Another Order Completed

You will remember that I recently made a book cover with handles (see here).  It is a free pattern by Imazzpatterns  After making that, I looked at her other patterns and decided to make the Paris Clutch.  I have made other clutches but I thought this one was really cute.  I will make more.  The pattern is here.

The front of the clutch has a large zippered pocket.  It is large enough to hold my Samsung Galaxy X 5 and the even larger Otter Box cover it is in.  It makes it easy to get at my phone.

The back has a cute slip pocket closed by a snap.

This pocket is not big enough for my phone because of the snap but still can hold plenty like sunglasses, lipstick, etc.

Inside, there are card pockets.  She gives you two different ways to insert them...one way if you have an industrial machine that can handle the thickness and one way if you have a domestic machine that protests when sewing several layers.  I have a semi-industrial machine and had no problem with the layers.  The inside edges will have binding to cover the raw edges so keep that in mind when choosing which way to go.  By the way, these were the easiest card pockets I have ever made.  My only regret is that I didn't put them on the other side of the inside of the bag, too.

If you are looking for a clutch when you only need to take the necessities, this is a fun pattern.  I love how it turned out.  The only change I made was to lengthen the wrist strap a bit.  The finished size is 5.5" high and 10" wide.

I have been busy testing some bag patterns that I can't wait to show you and I just completed two Bucket Bags from a free pattern I discovered that I will post in the next day or two.  I, also, wanted to show you an order that I completed.  It is for the two women that bought the other bags that match this fabric.  I will deliver them tomorrow. They have been such great customers!  The wallet is Emmaline Bags' Necessary Clutch Wallet that you can find here.  The smaller one is The Get Carded Wallet by Dog Under My Desk. You can find the pattern here.

February Bag of the Month, The Hyacinth Bag

Well, here it is the last day of February and I have not shown you my February Bag of the Month yet.  I actually completed it last week but have been busy testing a couple of bags and fulfilling orders that I haven't had a chance to post it yet.  I thought I better do it today so that you knew I actually completed it in the month of February.  I don't want to get behind.  The Hyacinth Bag is the second of six bag patterns that arrive on the 1st of the month for 6 months.  This is the 2nd year for it and this bag was designed by Sara of  Sew Sweetness.

I receive a lot of  discontinued samples of upholstery fabric from a local furniture store and I thought this bag would be cute if I made it in a solid color and highlighted one of those samples on the flap.  Those of you that follow me regularly realize I rarely use blue.  I don't know why that it.  Well, that was the color I chose this time and I think it really set the flap off. (I rarely use solid colors, too, except in linings sometimes).

Under the flap is a zippered pocket and 3 card pockets so you can reach a few key items easily.  The flap closes with a magnetic snap. (Looks like I better iron it again!)

The back of the bag has a zippered pocket

 The inside has a couple of slip pockets.  (Looks like when I get done ironing, I better get the lint roller out, too.  It didn't look like that with the naked eye).  The bag uses Soft and Stable to give it structure.

A new pattern arrives tomorrow morning.  I just wanted to show you that I am ready for it.

123 Book Bag / Book Cover with Handles

I had the great pleasure of being able to test the new 123 Book Bag from Imazzpatterns.  This fun pattern includes a chart for you to calculate the perfect sized pieces to assure the cover is the right size for any book you choose.  How fun would this be to give with a book for a special gift for a friend or family member?  Oh, and did I mention that the pattern is FREE on Craftsy.  You can find it here.

I had recently picked up a remnant piece of double sided prequilted fabric in black and white.  It was just the right size for this project.




















Because this fabric was prequilted, it already had a layer of batting in it which allowed me to forgo the interfacing and get a substantial cover.  I just love it!

I used it to cover a sketch book that I use to sketch ideas or draw bags I am making to decide on fabric placement.

This cover went together so easily and quickly.  Even a beginner can have great success with this professional looking cover.  The pattern also includes a pocket to put on the flap for bookmarkers or notes.

Don't forget to look at Imaz's  other patterns.  They are simplified patterns with great looks.  You can check them out here.  She also has this pattern posted on her Etsy site for a small charge to cover the cost of posting it.

I'll be making more of these and trying out some of her other patterns.  I'll share them here.

Lighthouse Fabric Get Carded and Eloise Wallets

I recently was contacted by a customer that saw the lighthouse Convertible Bag by Sewing With Mrs H that I made a while back.

 She collects lighthouses and was interested in purchasing this bag.  She grew up on the East Coast and now lives in OH and has been to many of the lighthouses pictured on this fabric.  I still had this bag in my inventory so I met with her to deliver the bag.

I got a call from her a few days later after she had gone through my blog and she wanted an Eloise Wallet by Swoon Patterns and a Get Carded Wallet from Dog Under My Desk made from the same fabric but with blue contrast fabric instead of red.

I used a solid color of blue for the inside of both of these wallets.

I made a wristlet strap and a lanyard for the Get Carded Wallet.  I'll deliver these tomorrow and hope that she loves them like she does the Convertible Bag.  You can get the pattern for the Convertble Bag here.  You can get the pattern for the Eloise Wallet here and the Get Carded Wallet here.

Sugar and Spice Bag Gets an Honorable Mention

What a great surprise!  The Sugar and Spice Bag Sew Along is over, the prizes have been awarded and my bag got an Honorable Mention.  How fun is that?  I got to pick a free pattern from Chris W Designs.  It wasn't too hard for me to decide.  I am such a fan of hers that I had all of her patterns but two.  I chose the Eve Clutch. (That only leaves Emma).

Congratulations to the first place winner Heidi Simkin, and the other Honorable Mention, Michelle Brown Burke.  All of the bags were so beautiful.  I think we were all winners.

I didn't have this bag very long.  Someone saw it and contacted me to buy it.  I was only too happy to oblige!  She wanted a wallet to match, so I just completed a Necessary Clutch Wallet from Emmaline Bags to go with it.

These two patterns are among my most favorite patterns to make and both look so professional when done.  I have made nine Sugar and Spice Bags now and probably close to twenty Necessary Clutch Wallets.  If you haven't yet tried either of these patterns, you are really missing out.

You can find the Sugar and Spice Bag here, and the Necessary Clutch Wallet here.