a new pattern ... and a summer giveaway
July 12, 2014 I finally ... FINALLY got around to writing up a quick pattern for one of my all-time favourite little girl/gift/purse designs. It's a miniature version of my very first bag design (about a decade ago?! Sheesh!). The first time I made this little girl version was for my daughter's 4th birthday. She was huge into Dora back then and I found some cute Dora yardage at Walmart. I also spotted some equally cute Strawberry Shortcake fabric for her little sister, so I came home with both and went to work. The end result was two enormous smiles, squeals of delight, and lots of hugs for me. They used those purses for years to tote their stuff around, carrying everything from Tupperware toys to Littlest Pet Shops to crafts to games ... rocks ... shells ... bits of paper ... if it could fit in the purse, they carried it in the purse. It was also my "go-to" gift for birthdays for a few years, until all my daughters' friends owned one. That's when I realized I need to expand my repertoire of quick sewing designs.
So. Last month, I saw this "oh-my-goodness-I-feel-a-cavity-coming-on- because-that-is-the-sweetest-I've-ever-seen" fabric at Simply Sweet Fabrics.
Agh! Love it. So of course you know what happened next ....
Yep. Little Red Riding Hood (by Lecien) inspired me to write the pattern. How could I not?
(My favourite use of polka dots as a lining.)
This print has a lot of detail so I didn't want to add too much in the way of embellishment ... but I did manage to sneak in a little satin bow and tiny lace tab. ;)
This purse is super basic. No templates, zippers, buttons, snaps, gussets, fittings, inset seams, piping ... none of the details that can be intimidating or frustrating. If you have basic sewing skills, you can do this pattern. All it takes is a fabric FQ, a fabric F8 and a FQ of batting. That said, with a little imagination this patten is also just the starting point. I've done countless variations including patchwork, lace, piecing, pockets, contrast fabrics, buttons, applique, embroidery ... let your creativity run amok. The PDF is available in my shop here for $3 and includes 20 step-by-step color photos.
But wait, there's more!
You know how much I love pretty fabric, right? I know "pretty" is relative - all in the eyes of the beholder as the saying goes.
Well I fell in love with this little pretty little bundle of Lecien's "Old/New 30s" the moment I beheld it. In fact, I was compelled to dust of this old thing (she said sheepishly because she was supposed to be done by now but she hasn't touched it for ... months).
This tiny print is absolutely PERFECT for my little 1/2" hexagons.
And now for my favourite part ... Shay over at Simply Sweet Fabric has kindly offered to give this bundle of 5 FQs away to a Pretty by Hand reader. :)
But wait, there's more!
She also wants to include a sweet Little Red Riding Hood FQ. :)
So 6 FQs in total. That means you could make 4 different purses with this fabric alone if you win. ;)
Giveaway closes July 14th 6:00 pm MST. Open to everyone! I wish you all good luck (and I wish you could all win too).
Reader Comments (375)
Thanks.
Colleen
California
And that cherry print in the fat quarter bundle is lovely. It makes me think of women chatting in a sunny kitchen while their children play in a grassy backyard. [sigh]
I would love to win so I can make the bags with these prints.One for all the girls!