a new pattern ... and a summer giveaway

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).

Comments

[Erica]

You are one very talented lady. Thank you for the giveaway.
Erica

[Jenna O]

What a cute little bag! I love it :) Hope I win so I can make my own :)

[Rachel]

It's my birthday! Pick me, pick me! :)

[Mary]

How sweet! Your work reminds me of tea with friends in England 😀

[Susan]

Soooo cute - I've been wanting to make a little tote for my granddaughter, but I am better at "hand work"... so, this may be the pattern for me to try doing this on the machine. She would love it. You have the cutest things - thanks for the inspiration, ideas and the chance to win some gorgeous fabrics! Thanks as well to Simply Sweet!

[Susan]

Soooo cute - I've been wanting to make a little tote for my granddaughter, but I am better at "hand work"... so, this may be the pattern for me to try doing this on the machine. She would love it. You have the cutest things - thanks for the inspiration, ideas and the chance to win some gorgeous fabrics! Thanks as well to Simply Sweet! I would love to win and it's my birthday too so I'm going to make a wish for it!

[Mary]

Thanks for the chance. I am in the process of moving too, it is overwhelming after 23 years in one house, 4 children and lots and lots of fabric and projects! I hope you have a fun weekend

[Gudrun]

It is so a little very sweet bag!!! I like it! :-)
LG, Gudrun from Germany

[Carol Leatherman]

Gorgeous and sweet!! Thanks for the chance to win them!

[Michelle]

As always, your work is beautiful!!!

[Carol Linhart]

I would love to win the fabric,,,,so sweet...would make something perfect for one of my 6 granddaughters...thank you

[Lisa Marie]

I could make such sweet things for my nieces with that lovely fabric!

[Margareth]

This is so sweet and pretty. Thanks for the lovely give away!

[Laura]

Wow, what a lovely bundle of fabrics! And your little bag is so cute!
Thanks for the chance of winning.

Laura

[MANDY]

Such a pretty little bag and fabric, I'd love to be the lucky winner. Fingers crossed x

[Karen]

I absolutely adore your fabric choices, all ones I would choose myself and your creativity is endless. Sweet little tote. Thanks for a chance at some darling fabric.

[dianne mitzel]

Love your new little bag! Your blog is so fresh and lovely, always makes me happy to visit. I would love that beautiful bundle of fabric, what a generous giveaway!
diannemitzel1@hotmail.com

[Delcia Rosenow]

Charming giveaway! Thanks! Simply Sweet Fabrics has darling prints I've gotten, but I don't own any of those--yum! I had to chuckle about your hexie quilt. Now I don't feel too guilty or behind! I have a blue and yellows in the works (over 9 years now) and another of fave fabrics that is waiting for fabrics to go into the stash once their intended purpose has been cut (but not necessarily sewn!). I'm afraid I'm a tv watcher/car rider/long traffic light driver hexie quilt maker. Gotta use those spare minutes to good advantage.

[Tina Conner]

You new little bag is sew sweet. The fabrics were the perfect choice. Thanks for the giveaways.

[Tabitha Keener]

I love your pattern and the fabric is crazy sweet! I hope I win! Thanks

tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

[Mary L.]

Collecting fabric to make a quilt for my new granddaughter - these would be the perfect starting point!

[Jackie]

Oh wow! Your little girl's purse is soooo cute!! I love those fabrics from Simply Sweet Fabrics too. I'm happy to see you dusted off your hexies, I hit a wall with mine too and haven't touched them in almost four months. I need to get back to that project.

[Anita]

Lovely bag and great fabric. Oh the possibilities.

[Laura Smith]

So love those prints! Darling!

[Gloriajean Penny]

I know the sweetest little girl who would love something made from this adorable fabric. I would really like to win it for her.

Thank you so much for the chance.

[Robin Elaine]

The past couple of weeks have been fun watching the auction and the excitement it has generated among your blog followers. Then you have a "give away" ...a bonus surprise tor all. Very sweet of you!

[Teresa]

I love those sweet little fabrics and your purse is adorable. I would love to win this bundle - esp. because my birthday is the 14th.

[janice]

Love these fat quarters! Thanks for all the inspiration - I always enjoy seeing your projects.

[Leslie Hancock]

OMG, I love it too! Sew cute! Thanks for the giveaway!

[Cathi]

Those little girls must have been oh, so proud of their beautiful purses.
That bundle of fabrics is fabulous. Someone will be very, very happy to win those.

[Jeanie]

Pretty! Thanks for the chance to win.

[Rebecca L.]

So very pretty! You have such amazing talent!!!

P.s. Such cute fabric!!!

[Hildy]

Oh that's so sweet! I can imagine that a little girl love a bag little this and it's sure a great gift:-)

[Kate]

What a lovely giveaway - fingers crossed. Thanks!

[Julia]

I love this fabric! It has such a sweet, retro feel to it! Thanks for the chance to win such a beautiful little package!

[charlotte]

Such pretty soft colors. So sweet for a little purse.

[Inka]

Oh, I would love to win the sweet fabric. And I would make a purse for my daughter;-)

[Ellyn]

so lovely! and love your little purse too!

[Anita Carroll]

Beautiful fat quarters. My mind starts spinning when I see coordinating fabrics I like. Possibilities are endless, it is always nice to be inspired.

[Jill]

Would love to win this pretty fabric. With all boys in my family, something a little "girly" would be a pleasant change!!

[marsha]

Love it all!

[Pat]

Oh, I love Lucien fabrics; so cute!

[Tanya Quilts in CO]

I always love your fabric choices and designs! Thank you for the opportunity!

[Shelley]

Oh what a sweet little bag, made even sweeter with you fabric choice. I love the ruffles.

[Monica Sisk]

Oh, I just scratched 3, yes 3, Christmas gifts off my list. This is just perfect for all the tiny ladies in our family. Thank you.

Monica

(just in case) m3reyna at gmail dot com

[Julie B.]

Love it! Thank you so much for the chance to win.

[Patricia M.]

I LOVE 30's, but where do you enter???

[Four dogs and one quilter]

Super cute fabric and I know three little girls who would love a bag. Would keep one for myself .

[uk city crafter]

That fabric is sooo pretty, I can imagine making lots of things with all that gorgeousness!

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

[Tammy Edwards]

I love the little purse Kristyne. Thank you for making a pattern, I will definitely be ordering it. I can't wait to make some for the special little girls in my life.
Thank you, to you and Shay also for another great giveaway. The fabric bundle is so pretty and the Little Red Riding Hood FQ is adorable : )
Good luck everyone!