New Sewing Pattern Review - Krissyanne Designs Ruffled Bow Cosmetic Bag

Hello there!  Today I have a new sewing pattern to introduce!  This cute little make-up bag is from the talented Kristin at Krissyanne Designs.  She has created her very first pattern and I was lucky enough to be a tester for her! 

As you can see, the Ruffled Bow Cosmetic Bag Pattern creates the cutest little bag!  This little guy is about 7 inches tall, 4 inches deep and 2.5 inches wide at the bottom of the bag.  The instructions were very clear and the pictures were super-helpful.  I really liked Kristin's zipper instructions and I'm hoping she'll provide a little tutorial here in the future :)

Recommended fabrics are quilting cottons and the interfacing is fusible fleece.  I used a linen for the exterior and Denyse Schmidt for Joann fabric for the bow and liner.  My favorite part of this bag is the bow - it's adorable!  Purchase your own pattern (currently available at a special discounted price!!) in Kristin's Etsy shop here, check out other item's she's made here on Flickr and like her on Facebook!!

Don't forget to check out the 3 giveaways going on right now!  See here, here and here :)  Have a great day!

Girls Best Friend Wallet

I took a break from sewing for the upcoming purse/jewelry party to make up this wallet for my best friend.  This is the Girl's Best Friend Wallet pattern from Jennalou Designs, made up in an awesome, mustard-colored fabric from Joann's.  It's lined with a chocolate brown Kona cotton. 

This was a tough one.  I sewed and resewed the zipper.  Then I had to cut all new pattern pieces for the zippered pocket and try one last time.  I have a zillion links saved under sewing tips, so I finally went through them and found one for inserting a zippered pocket.  Check it out here, it saved me!

As you can see, the zipper did come out good, although I put it in backwards!  I didn't have it in me to take it out again, so it stays that way!  Hopefully she won't even notice :)  I also struggled with the top-stitching.  I think next time I would square it up, so that I wouldn't have to sew around curves - I had to rip it out several times before I was satisfied with it.

All in all, I'm pretty satisfied with it.  If I could do it over again I would line it in gray, as there is a bit of pale gray in the flower buds and I don't love the contrast between the yellow thread and the brown fabric, but it does look pretty good.  This is not a pattern I would recommend to beginners, but if you have experience (and lots of patience!), give it a try :)  The Girl's Best Friend Wallet is available as a PDF downloadable pattern for purchase here.  

The Slouch Bag in Aviary II

Happy Friday All!  I have been saying I wanted to sew up a new fall bag, so I found some time this week and did just that!  And I love it!!!  The pattern is by Ali Foster and is called The Slouch Bag (find it here).  Super simple to sew up - 3 pattern pieces that come along with detailed instructions in a PDF file.  I love the patterns you can find from independent designers - they are so creative!

I made a couple of minor changes - I added a pen pocket by just sewing a straight line up the original pocket piece after it had been sewn to the lining.  I eliminated the magnetic snap because I don't like them in pocketbooks.  I also changed the opening in the lining to the bottom, instead of the side like the pattern instructs. 

The pattern calls for canvas to be used to interline the main bag body - I didn't have any plain canvas, but I had some left over from this project, so I used it and you can't see it a bit :)  The exterior fabric is Bloom in Granite from the Aviary II line by Joel Dewberry and the interior is Lodge Lattice in Vintage Yellow also from Aviary II.  I'm loving the grey and yellow combo! 

  

All in all, I highly recommend this pattern.  It's super simple (would be great for beginners!) and it makes a really cute and functional tote.  Happy Sewing!

PR - Simplicity 2606

Pattern Review - Simplicity 2606

Pattern Description: A Simple Solutions pattern - Misses pull-on pleated skirts and tie belt

Pattern Sizing: 6-14, I made my usual 14 and it fits fine.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were super easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it had pleats, in addition to the elastic waistline. It made the skirt just a bit fuller and is a great little detail. I also love the pockets!

Fabric Used: A border print cotton in navy/pink/green/white that I purchased at Joann's. It was 50% off, so for 2 yards it was only $10!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely sew it again and I would recommend it to others for sure.

Conclusion: Easy to sew with great results! I plan on wearing this with a white t-shirt and some sandals for summer :)

PR - Pink Chalk's Mail Sack

Pattern Description: Modern, hands-free styling defines the Mail Sack, a roomy cross-body bag ready for adventure. Two interior pockets keep essentials like cell phone, sunglasses and keys within easy reach.

Pattern Sizing: Large (the large is HUGE - this is the one I made) and Mini

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very clear and easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love this pattern! Everything was explained in a clear manner and all the pieces fit together just right. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: Cotton quilting fabric from Amy Butler's Love fabric line. I bought it with this pattern in mind and I'm so happy with the outcome.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I skipped the zipper pocket and just made the divided patch pockets. I also made a little pocket for a pen.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew this again, as there are so many other patterns I want to try - but I definitely recommend this pattern!

Conclusion: An excellent bag pattern - perfect for hands-free shopping!

PR: Simplicity 2614

Remember when I said I was going to share more pattern reviews?   Well, here is the first one! 

Pattern Description:  Misses Pull Over Tops with Separate Patterns for A,B,C,D Cup Sizes and Bias Skirt: Threads Collection


Pattern Sizing: 6-14, I cut a 14 and it fits perfect.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy - I followed them exactly

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of this top - it reminds me of a vintage style from the 40's.

Fabric Used:  I used a Swiss Dotted cotton from Joann's

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did not make any alterations. The only thing I did differently was when hemming - I pinked the very edge of the fabric and then turned it once and stitched. I found it to be too narrow if I tried folding it over twice. If I had a narrow hem foot, I would have done it that way, but this worked for me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely sew it again and I recommend this to others for sure!

Conclusion:  I love how this pattern came out! I made it once before in a solid and I hated it, so I think it needs a print. This is a nice simple top to whip up for work.