January 30, 2016

Another Easy Street Pattern by Chris W Designs -- Chloe's Court






I was lucky enough to test another of Chris W Designs Easy Street Patterns, her third in this easier, quicker pattern line.  This one is Chloe's Court, and it comes with two options for the front flap and, yes, I just had to make both of them.  I loved the hardware on both options so I had to include it, but, this bag can be made without it.

Here is the first option.  It is a clutch/shoulder bag that closes with a hidden magnetic closure that attracts the metal of the large oval handle to keep the bag closed flat.  It has a removable chain strap.



When you open the bag, you will see a zippered pocket compartment.  The contrasting fabric is a large slip pocket that closes with a magnetic snap. It is large enough to hold the largest of phones.



Inside the zippered pocket are 4 card slots and a slip pocket behind them.




The other option uses entirely different hardware.


The tree fabric has silver metallic in it and makes it look very dressy.  Again the hardware attaches to a hidden magnet to close flat.


In case you want to know what the back looks like, it is the main fabric.



This bag calls for Stiff Stuff sew-in firm interfacing from Lazy Girl Designs.  I had never used it before.  Most firmer interfacing will be too thick or stiff to make this clutch, but this product is like a softer, more flexible, thinner Peltex that makes turning the bag easier and allows it to lay flat.  I loved working with it. It may become one of my new go to interfacings.  It is relatively easy to find online.  I wished I would have bought more than 2 yards at the time.  I am anxious to try it in some other bag designs.

You can get Christine's new Chloe's Court pattern here and go here to see other testers' bags.  The completed bag measures 11"W x 6 3/4" H.

I got the bag front hardware from Janelle at Emmaline Bags.

I love Christine's patterns and this one is no different.





January 27, 2016

Easy Street Patterns by Chris W Designs - Brandt's Boulevard






I love being a tester for Christine at Chris W Designs.  Her patterns are so well put together and produce such professional bags.  In December, I introduced you to the first of her Easy Street Pattern Line, Abby's Alley and today I want to share her second pattern from the Easy Street Line.  I made this one in December as well but was down with a bug and then busy for the holidays, that I just realized that I had not shared the second one.  (and the third Easy Street pattern is about to be released) This one is very special to me.  Can you guess why???  It is the Brandt's Boulevard Wallet.  How fun is it to have a pattern named after you??  Christine is starting to name bags from this line after her testers and this one is all mine!


This wallet measures 7 1/4"W x 4 1/4"H x 7/8" D.  It has 4 credit card pockets, an ID pocket, a slip pocket for bills, a zippered coin pocket, a smaller slip pocket and a phone slip pocket that is big enough to carry my Samsung 5 in its otter box case.  That is a lot of stuff packed in to one wallet!



There will be many more of these in my future because this one sold right away...



And besides, it is my namesake, and I am one proud mama!  You can get the pattern here.

January 22, 2016

Up, Up & Away Add On - Double Up Version by Moments






Last post, I showed you the new passport wallet from Liz of Moments.  Can you believe that she already updated the pattern by adding a second option for the inside called Double Up?  This second version is for singles or couples that don't need to carry so many passports...and it is a free add on when you purchase her Up, Up & Away pattern on Craftsy here.  (If you have already purchased this pattern, you should be getting notification from Craftsy so you can download the additional free pattern).




How is the add on pattern different?  It still has room for a couple of passports on the left hand side but the right hand side has a zippered pocket with 2 slip pockets behind it for money and your cell phone.  The largest of cell phones with a case on, fits this pocket easily.

You can see pictures of the family version in my last post here.  This is a fun, quick wallet to make.  There are so many different options for the closure, too.  It is great for gift giving. The pattern is for confident beginners.

On this version, I used an upholstery fabric for the outside, a quilting cotton for the interior with the solid fabric being Kona cotton.  The D ring on the flap of the bag can hold any charm.  Here I added a suede tassel.

Thanks, Liz for letting me test this second version for you, too.  I look forward to the next one.

January 10, 2016

Up, Up & Away Passport Wallet by Moments





Happy New Year everybody!   I know I have been absent from this blog but I have many things to share with you.  Today I am excited to introduce a new pattern designer...Liz from Moments.  We have tested other designers' patterns together for quite some time and I was thrilled when she asked me to be a tester for her new pattern, her first... of many more to come, I hope.  It is The Up, Up & Away Family Passport Wallet.


 This is a fun and quick sew. The finished passport wallet measures 5" X 8" when folded.  On the inside, are pockets that will hold several family members' passports so they can all be together in one place.


These pockets are sewn in a way that was new for me.  I used a faux leather for the outside and quilting cottons for the interior.  The pattern can be done with a variety of closures from velcro, to snaps or the thumb latch that I chose to use.  Check here to see all of the testers' passport wallets.

By the way, these would make nice gifts for your friends that travel. The pattern is designed for confident beginners and it includes tips for sewing with faux leather.  The directions are clear and concise with pictures to help along the way.

You can get the pattern here on Craftsy.  Liz is giving a discount on the pattern if you act fast.  The price is $3.95 until Monday, when it will be $5.95.