Eve by Moments

I have tested bag patterns for many independent designers which I really love doing.  By my side was Liz, testing for many of those same designers. Now, guess who is designing bag patterns? Yes, Liz, from Moments. I have been excited to be one of her testers through her first two releases, Up, Up & Away Passport Wallet and The Fine and Dandy Pouch. But now, she has released her first handbag pattern in two styles.  Introducing Eve...

The first version of Eve is one with a flap.  I made mine from two different faux leathers with quilting cotton for the interior.

If you have been wanting to try faux leather, this could be the pattern for you.  Liz gives lots of tips throughout for sewing with faux leather. The bag can be made with cottons as well. The back mimics the front design.

Liz includes patterns for a faux leather overlay for the inside zipper.

I love the linings in Liz's bags.  She uses a special technique to keep them fitted and snug to the bag.

The second version I did was with a zipper top instead of the flap.  It is made from upholstery fabric, faux leather and cotton for the interior. These three fabrics are from three different places, purchased at three different times.  It amazes me sometimes when things just match.  My explanation of that is that I must just tend to migrate to certain shades of colors that I love.

You will really enjoy making this one.  The pattern is clear and concise with many pictures along the way.  You can purchase the pattern here on craftsy.  Can't wait for the next pattern from Moments.

Bag of the Month Club - February's Window Shopper's Tote by Sewing With Mrs H

Well, I decided to post about my April Bag of the Month but realized I hadn't posted about February yet. (I still haven't made March ). So let me show you Miss February.  It is the Window Shopper's Tote by Samantha at Sewing Patterns by Mrs H. You have to belong to the Bag of the Month Club to receive this pattern now.  It is not too late to join.  You will receive the first four patterns that have been released and May and June patterns as they are released on the first of that month.  Beginning July 1, the designers can release the individual patterns for sale on their own sites.  I'll tell you how to get more info at the bottom of the post.

This is one large bag.  It measures 15" W x 16" H x 2 1/2" D. The fabric should look familiar.  It is a second colorway of the Kinetic Triangles by Windham Fabrics.  I used this same fabric in a different color in my post yesterday. I combined it with a turquoise faux leather.  The front of the bag has a large slip pocket.  The directions called for the pocket to be pleated at the bottom, but I liked the look of a flat pocket instead.

The back of the bag looks almost identical, except the slip pocket is the width of the entire bag.  I added piping to the top of the pockets to give them more definition.  As you can see, there are handles, but what you can't see is that there is a removeable, adjustable crossbody strap, too.

 On the inside, there is a zipper closure below the handles to keep everything in. There are two slip pockets and a zippered pocket on one side of the lining and two larger slip pockets on the other side.  The lining fabric is also from Windham Fabrics that I have in several colors called Swirl by Whistler. This one is navy and turquoise and the picture doesn't do it justice.

The pattern was great and easy to follow.  You can find out more about the Bag of the Month Club here.

Set To Go Cosmetic Set by Uniquely Michelle

I had the pleasure to test a new pattern from Michelle at Uniquely Michelle, The Set To Go Cosmetic Set.

As you can see, this is a two piece set, a pouch and a case. The strap on the pouch can be hooked through the loop on the case so that they can be carried as one. Let's look at each of these pieces individually.



The pouch measures 9 1/2" W x 7"H x 2 1/2" D. With boxed corners, it is plenty roomy. What I really love is the inside. The interior lining is covered with a layer of clear vinyl to make it easy to wipe out when needed and so that you can still see the beautiful lining.  There are 2 clear vinyl slip pockets inside as well.

It is hard to see the vinyl, but trust me, it is there.  I used a combination from Windham Fabric's Kinetic line, Triangles and Zig Zags in purple. I combined them with a polka dot I had in my stash.

The case is a little smaller and measures 7 3/4" W x 5 3/4" H x 2 1/2" D.

The lining in the case is covered with a layer of clear vinyl.  There is only one slip pocket in the interior.

 I really love this set.  It was fun to make and is so practical with the vinyl layer. Even if you have not sewn with vinyl before, there are tips throughout the pattern that will make it a breeze for you.

If you have never made one of Michelle's patterns, you should know that they are very thorough, concise and easy to follow. They are full of pictures to help you every step of the way. You can get her patterns at her Craftsy page here or on Etsy here.

To see more fabric combinations for this set, go to Michelle's blog here.

The Seat Belt Series: The Crossover Bag and Trifold Wallet by Cozy Nest Designs

Okay, let me just tell you up front that I really had fun testing the first two patterns in the Seat Belt Series from Sarah Gido of Cozy Nest Designs.  These two patterns, working with seat belt webbing, were different from anything else I have done.  So much fun that I just ordered three more webbing kits, and I will tell you how to get those after I tell you about the patterns.

 Let's talk about the bag first. You have the option of making your bag out of a single color, two colors or three colors.  As you can see, I chose three colors. (Can you tell that I live in Ohio and the colors I chose just happen to be the colors of a really great college team in my state?) The completed bag measures
10-1/2" W x 11" L x 1-1/2" D. Seat belts are great to use because they are durable and stain resistant.  Since the seat belts are top stitched to a background fabric and the edges of the belts abut, not overlap, this bag does not get too thick to sew. And imagine this...Sarah was concerned about which shoulder that you might want to wear it on, that she gives you two sets of directions so the zippers will open correctly and the vertical seat belt strip will be on the correct side..

If you look at the next picture, you can see the front pockets. The top pocket is a zippered pocket underneath the second seat belt strip.  Under the third seat belt strip, is an L-shaped slip pocket that allows you to put your phone in it so it won't slip out.  Did she think of everything?

The inside of the bag has another zippered pocket and the bag closes with a recessed zipper.

The second pattern is for the Trifold Wallet.  There are directions for using seat belts and also directions for using fabric.  The choice is yours.  I made mine out of a single color of seat belt webbing.  

The inside of the wallet has six card slots and two zippered pockets.  It closes with a magnetic snap

You can get both of the patterns here.  They are on sale for an introductory price of $5 each through April 2, 2016.  Sarah, also, sells the webbing kits with the hardware here.  Patterns from Cozy Nest Designs are clear and concise and easy to follow. 

I love this bag.

The Girl Next Door Bag from Imazzpatterns

I recently enjoyed testing a bag for Imazzpatterns called The Girl Next Door Bag. I enjoyed the simplicity and the practicality of this bag.

I used Tula Pink Mini Owl in orchid from her True Colors collection for the main fabric.

If you look closely on the back, you can make out the owls.  The bag measures 11-1/2" H and the width varies from 11" at the top to 13-1/2" at the widest point.  It is 2-1/4" deep.  The flap is closed by a magnetic snap.  But the special part of this bag is the hidden zipper pocket under the contrast strip on the front of the bag.

 Here is my phone sticking out of that pocket.  The pocket is very large as it encompasses the whole front of the bag.  The pleats allow it to expand further without crimping on the space on the inside of the bag.

The inside has an optional slip pocket that I added.

You can purchase this pattern on her Etsy page here.