Recently in Bag and wallet patterns Category
If you've ever used those "hard" U-shaped handles in your handbag making, you may have experienced the little screws coming loose on you. In the picture below, I'm referring to the silver U shape and the screw that attaches it to the handle. I know it has happened to me...so I bet it has happened to others.
A very quick, inexpensive and invisible "fix" is to fully tighten the screw and then dab a bit of clear nail polish (on head of the screw and on the threaded side if you can reach it) to seal it the screw. It has been at least two months since I tried this fix and it is still holding beautifully.
I mean...wow...it's no fun to be shopping and one side of your handle pops off your gorgeous bag! I was especially bummed because it happened to me about the 2nd week I was carrying my Miranda Bag (the bag I made is pictured below -- click here to read my review of The Miranda Bag pattern & see more pictures):
Are you looking for some handles or hardware for your next handbag project? Click here to check out some ideas at Sew Thankful.
Are you looking for a fabulous new handbag pattern? Click here to see what's available at Sew Thankful.
A very quick, inexpensive and invisible "fix" is to fully tighten the screw and then dab a bit of clear nail polish (on head of the screw and on the threaded side if you can reach it) to seal it the screw. It has been at least two months since I tried this fix and it is still holding beautifully.
I mean...wow...it's no fun to be shopping and one side of your handle pops off your gorgeous bag! I was especially bummed because it happened to me about the 2nd week I was carrying my Miranda Bag (the bag I made is pictured below -- click here to read my review of The Miranda Bag pattern & see more pictures):
Are you looking for some handles or hardware for your next handbag project? Click here to check out some ideas at Sew Thankful.
Are you looking for a fabulous new handbag pattern? Click here to see what's available at Sew Thankful.
Kristine Poor started Poorhouse
Quilt Designs in September 2006, after designing the Sampler Tote as a
gift for a family member. The tote was a hit and a pattern company was
born! Kristine has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was bitten by the quilt bug fifteen years ago. She works with mom, Jean Johnson (pattern editor/sample maker/creative assistant) to put together patterns that are a palette for your creativity.
Click here to see Sew Thankful's current selection of Kristine's patterns.
Wooo Hooo...exciting news! Joan Hawley made a post to her blog yesterday featuring my Miranda bag! I feel like such a proud mamma having my baby in the spotlight! Click here if you'd like to take a look.
Cinching: I recently received a request for clarification on how I applied the tabs for the "cinched" effect on my Miranda bag.
Here's the scoop:
You attach the tabs for the swivel clips in the same manner as you attach the tabs for the purchased handles (instructions for that are in the pattern, I believe). Only instead of placing the tabs on the outside (as for the handles) you'll place the tabs on the inside. You'll want to use a matching/coordinating thread so the stitching will be discreet & not very noticeable.
Joan (Joan Hawley, the Miranda Bag pattern designer) shows/describes this a little better on her blog in these two entries:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=786#more-786
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=776
Hope that helps.
Cinching: I recently received a request for clarification on how I applied the tabs for the "cinched" effect on my Miranda bag.
Here's the scoop:
You attach the tabs for the swivel clips in the same manner as you attach the tabs for the purchased handles (instructions for that are in the pattern, I believe). Only instead of placing the tabs on the outside (as for the handles) you'll place the tabs on the inside. You'll want to use a matching/coordinating thread so the stitching will be discreet & not very noticeable.
Joan (Joan Hawley, the Miranda Bag pattern designer) shows/describes this a little better on her blog in these two entries:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=786#more-786
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/?p=776
Hope that helps.
Let's be sew great in 2008!
I recently received an email from a lovely customer sharing some pics of her work. She gave permission for me to share them here with you. Enjoy...
Sue says: "My name is Sue and I am from Massachusetts (home of the Patriots!!) I loved making the purse, and already have 2 of my nieces reminding me of their birthdays!! My world traveling daughter will soon be receiving the passport holder when I ship it overseas to her. I can tell that both of these patterns are going to become habit forming!"
I recently received an email from a lovely customer sharing some pics of her work. She gave permission for me to share them here with you. Enjoy...
Sue says: "My name is Sue and I am from Massachusetts (home of the Patriots!!) I loved making the purse, and already have 2 of my nieces reminding me of their birthdays!! My world traveling daughter will soon be receiving the passport holder when I ship it overseas to her. I can tell that both of these patterns are going to become habit forming!"
Purse-O-Nality Plus Back Side
Purse-O-Nality Plus inside
I'm certain your daughter is going to LOVE her new passport holder...VERY nice!
Great work!! Thanks so much for sharing Sue!
Great work!! Thanks so much for sharing Sue!
Miranda in action...she's a hard-workin' babe!
I made my sweet Miranda bag using the Lazy Girl Miranda Day Bag pattern (new Fall 2007 from Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs ).
My sweet Miranda, has been a busy girl. She has accompanied me on all my activities the last month and a half and OH BOY have I put her through the paces.
She is a class act doing her duties whether taking the boys to school, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, or out for an evening with a friend. She's always ready to go and she is TOUGH! Miranda does her job and even asks for more.
What could be better? I'll tell you--she NEVER, not even once has she ever complained or showed signs of weariness.
I love that I can change her look--cinched or not. I love the roominess inside and many fabulous inside pockets. I love how easy she is to manage.
She is the B-E-S-T companion for shopping and travel.
I made my sweet Miranda bag using the Lazy Girl Miranda Day Bag pattern (new Fall 2007 from Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs ).
My sweet Miranda, has been a busy girl. She has accompanied me on all my activities the last month and a half and OH BOY have I put her through the paces.
She is a class act doing her duties whether taking the boys to school, grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, or out for an evening with a friend. She's always ready to go and she is TOUGH! Miranda does her job and even asks for more.
What could be better? I'll tell you--she NEVER, not even once has she ever complained or showed signs of weariness.
I love that I can change her look--cinched or not. I love the roominess inside and many fabulous inside pockets. I love how easy she is to manage.
She is the B-E-S-T companion for shopping and travel.
Miranda and many more Lazy Girl Designs patterns are available at Sew Thankful.
To read about my adventure in sewing Miranda, click here...
To read about my adventure in sewing Miranda, click here...
My Miranda was birthed with love and nurturing dedication over the course of two days. It was an extended labor of love for this Lazy Girl.
Why did it take so long you ask?
Oh...so you want to see her? Here she is--click image to open large image in a pop up window:
Miranda, shown cinched, sporting ivory/black bamboo fashion handles from Clover.
I used Leisure Arts 1" Swivel Clips to make her cinch. Click here to see a selection of Leisure Arts handbag hardware accessories at Sew Thankful.
My Miranda is not quilted. Instead of batting, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece. I love the smooth and sleek look.
I also decided to give my Miranda FEET to protect her bottom, because good mama's take care of their baby's bottoms. Given Miranda's ample proportions, I decided that she would need 6 feet in order to protection at each end and also in the middle. You know, it's terrible to have a chafed middle bottom! I used silver tone purse feet from Ghees (gotta mind your metals when making purses...make sure all metal colors match for best results). Gold tone feet are also available at Sew Thankful...in fact, Sew Thankful stocks a nifty selection of handbag hardware.
I used the BLACK Velcro Fusion and I gotta say it again, "I LOVE that stuff!" I only had the 3/4" x 1" rectangles available, and being a Lazy Girl, I just placed them end to end to get my 2" piece and fused. Worked great!
Here are a couple more views - no cinching and inside:
So...you wanna know...how hard was she to sew?
Miranda is not a hard bag to make at all. If you don't have well honed sewing skills, you will definitely need patience and be able to discipline yourself to take one step at a time and follow it through without trying to guess it's right.
There are some minor challenges in dealing with the bulk because Miranda is very well stabilized (and that's a GREAT thing). These minor challenges are nothing too difficult if you can discipline yourself to stay focused on each task as Joan presents it you shouldn't have any major problems.
Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs and the Miranda Day Bag pattern, did an outstanding job with both the "design" of the bag and the directions for the pattern. Two thumbs up!!!
I LOVE my new Miranda and can't wait to show her off AND make more -- but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays!
Would you like to know when I make new samples of patterns, write pattern or product reviews or when Sew Thankful is offering eCoupon codes? If so, please be sure to sign up for the FREE Sew Thankful eNews -- click here.
Why did it take so long you ask?
- Well...because I never seem to have more than 20 consecutive minutes at a time to work on sewing projects lately.
- I also have a very bad habit of wanting to change things slightly...which ALWAYS results in requiring much more time. For example:
Did I need drugs to get through this extended labor you're wondering? No, silly. While operating a sewing machine or hot iron I highly recommend not becoming impaired or intoxicated.
- I decided I did not like how my front and back panels looked when I pieced them together, so I added appliqué pane strip over the join and on each panel end. I quilted these down over the end of each large pieced rectangle (i.e., the front & back).
- I also decided I did not want to have a solid (looking) black lining, but I DID want to have a black faux binding around the top. Sew....this Lazy Girl took her time and pieced the lining sections.
Oh...so you want to see her? Here she is--click image to open large image in a pop up window:
Miranda, shown cinched, sporting ivory/black bamboo fashion handles from Clover.I used Leisure Arts 1" Swivel Clips to make her cinch. Click here to see a selection of Leisure Arts handbag hardware accessories at Sew Thankful.
My Miranda is not quilted. Instead of batting, I used Pellon Fusible Fleece. I love the smooth and sleek look.
I also decided to give my Miranda FEET to protect her bottom, because good mama's take care of their baby's bottoms. Given Miranda's ample proportions, I decided that she would need 6 feet in order to protection at each end and also in the middle. You know, it's terrible to have a chafed middle bottom! I used silver tone purse feet from Ghees (gotta mind your metals when making purses...make sure all metal colors match for best results). Gold tone feet are also available at Sew Thankful...in fact, Sew Thankful stocks a nifty selection of handbag hardware.
I used the BLACK Velcro Fusion and I gotta say it again, "I LOVE that stuff!" I only had the 3/4" x 1" rectangles available, and being a Lazy Girl, I just placed them end to end to get my 2" piece and fused. Worked great!
Here are a couple more views - no cinching and inside:
So...you wanna know...how hard was she to sew?
Miranda is not a hard bag to make at all. If you don't have well honed sewing skills, you will definitely need patience and be able to discipline yourself to take one step at a time and follow it through without trying to guess it's right.
There are some minor challenges in dealing with the bulk because Miranda is very well stabilized (and that's a GREAT thing). These minor challenges are nothing too difficult if you can discipline yourself to stay focused on each task as Joan presents it you shouldn't have any major problems.
Joan Hawley, owner/designer of Lazy Girl Designs and the Miranda Day Bag pattern, did an outstanding job with both the "design" of the bag and the directions for the pattern. Two thumbs up!!!
I LOVE my new Miranda and can't wait to show her off AND make more -- but that will probably have to wait until after the holidays!
Would you like to know when I make new samples of patterns, write pattern or product reviews or when Sew Thankful is offering eCoupon codes? If so, please be sure to sign up for the FREE Sew Thankful eNews -- click here.
I had a special treat today!
I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Patricia Gould, local and very talented New Mexico fiber artist and pattern designer. Patricia's pattern company is called Angel Fire Designs.
Patricia showed me some of her new designs and ideas and her most recent pattern, On The Town Elegance Bag pattern. WOW...the sample she showed me was gorgeous...and lined in dupioni silk... and it was amazing!
I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Patricia Gould, local and very talented New Mexico fiber artist and pattern designer. Patricia's pattern company is called Angel Fire Designs.
Patricia showed me some of her new designs and ideas and her most recent pattern, On The Town Elegance Bag pattern. WOW...the sample she showed me was gorgeous...and lined in dupioni silk... and it was amazing!
Click the thumbnail to see a larger image in a pop up window.
Click here to see more info on this pattern and more from Patricia.
Click here to see more info on this pattern and more from Patricia.
The Miranda Day Bag pattern has been flying off the shelf faster than any pattern I can remember!
The most frequently asked question I've been receiving about the pattern is WHAT is the name of the fabric used to make the bag on the cover of the pattern? If you are curious to know the answer to that question, you'll definitely want to check out this Lazy Girl blog entry - click here (link opens a new window).
Watch later this week, I'll be listing the very cool Clover purse handles in two different colors (and more coming). If all goes well, I'm hoping to have my own Miranda to show you very soon.
Designer, Joan Hawley, has been busy creating beautiful Miranda samples for Quilt Market!
Check out these two samples she made for Benartex
(thumbnails open a larger pop up image -- images used with permission):
Curious about these fabrics? Get the details on Joan's blog (link opens a new window).
How about these two for Moda!?!
(thumbnails open a larger pop up image -- images used with permission)
Want to know more about these fabrics? Get the scoop on Joan's blog (link opens a new window).
The most frequently asked question I've been receiving about the pattern is WHAT is the name of the fabric used to make the bag on the cover of the pattern? If you are curious to know the answer to that question, you'll definitely want to check out this Lazy Girl blog entry - click here (link opens a new window).
Watch later this week, I'll be listing the very cool Clover purse handles in two different colors (and more coming). If all goes well, I'm hoping to have my own Miranda to show you very soon.
Designer, Joan Hawley, has been busy creating beautiful Miranda samples for Quilt Market!
Check out these two samples she made for Benartex
(thumbnails open a larger pop up image -- images used with permission):
Curious about these fabrics? Get the details on Joan's blog (link opens a new window).
How about these two for Moda!?!
(thumbnails open a larger pop up image -- images used with permission)
Want to know more about these fabrics? Get the scoop on Joan's blog (link opens a new window).
I'm SEW EXCITED!!! I don't remember the last time so many people were so hyped up about a new bag pattern. WOW!!
I can't wait to make my first Miranda, can you?!!
At long last, she's HERE!!! Joan Hawley (Lazy Girl Designs) has outdone herself with this one!
Isn't she pretty?
Click the thumbnail to view a larger image.
The Miranda Day Bag pattern makes a bag that is sure to be the perfect companion for your day on the go.
Click here to see pattern front & back & purchase info... SewThankful does not have the Clover handles yet, but they are on order and should be available shortly. Note, you do not *have* to use purchased handles. There are instructions for fabric handles in the pattern.
I can't wait to make my first Miranda, can you?!!
At long last, she's HERE!!! Joan Hawley (Lazy Girl Designs) has outdone herself with this one!
Isn't she pretty?
Click the thumbnail to view a larger image.
The Miranda Day Bag pattern makes a bag that is sure to be the perfect companion for your day on the go.
- She's pretty, stylish, functional and she has attitude to spare!
- The bag was designed to be moderate sized, yet
roomy.
- Let Miranda double as your personal assistant. She graciously offers pockets to keep everything organized: file folders, magazines, even your favorite chocolate will fit nicely.
Click here to see pattern front & back & purchase info... SewThankful does not have the Clover handles yet, but they are on order and should be available shortly. Note, you do not *have* to use purchased handles. There are instructions for fabric handles in the pattern.
I love my new Cell Phone Catty!
I whipped her up over the weekend and she's already added *sew* much dazzle to my day.
I smile every time I pick up my purse.
Isn't she cute? I made her using the Cell Phone Catty pattern from Cotton Ginnys.Wanna see the back side?
I know I'm going to have to make more of these.
Oooohhh...great gift-making is in the works! Cell Phone Catty will make a great Christmas present for my daughter and quite a few other people.
I was surprised at how easy it was to make this pattern. The directions are very well written, but it is important to read them ALL the way through before beginning.
A sewing machine with zig-zag capability is recommended but not required (you can do all straight stitching if you want).
One thing I did differently from the pattern -- I did not use sew-in Velcro. I used the new Fusion Velcro (that is a permanent fusible). Good stuff! Sew Thankful does not have it in stock yet, but should very soon.
Another thing I think will be helpful -- next time I'm going to use Quilter's Vinyl to trace off the pattern templates. I made this one using KWIK Trace, and it worked OK...but for these smaller pieces and for the required placement markings, using Quilter's Vinyl should work much better.
Want to see the Cell Phone Catty pattern? Click here.
Want to see more fresh & fun Cotton Ginnys patterns? Click here.
I whipped her up over the weekend and she's already added *sew* much dazzle to my day.
I smile every time I pick up my purse.
Isn't she cute? I made her using the Cell Phone Catty pattern from Cotton Ginnys.Wanna see the back side?
I know I'm going to have to make more of these. Oooohhh...great gift-making is in the works! Cell Phone Catty will make a great Christmas present for my daughter and quite a few other people.
I was surprised at how easy it was to make this pattern. The directions are very well written, but it is important to read them ALL the way through before beginning.
A sewing machine with zig-zag capability is recommended but not required (you can do all straight stitching if you want).
One thing I did differently from the pattern -- I did not use sew-in Velcro. I used the new Fusion Velcro (that is a permanent fusible). Good stuff! Sew Thankful does not have it in stock yet, but should very soon.
Another thing I think will be helpful -- next time I'm going to use Quilter's Vinyl to trace off the pattern templates. I made this one using KWIK Trace, and it worked OK...but for these smaller pieces and for the required placement markings, using Quilter's Vinyl should work much better.
Want to see the Cell Phone Catty pattern? Click here.
Want to see more fresh & fun Cotton Ginnys patterns? Click here.
