GIVEAWAY and New Sponsor Jacks and Roxanne!

This giveaway is closed. The winner is #45 katie!

I'm really excited to share with you a giveaway from a great shop called Jacks and Roxanne! Amanda and Dana are best friends since high school, who have teamed up to bring you beautiful clothing and accessories for mom and baby!

My favorite item from their shop, hands down, are these hand-painted baby onesies with the letters of the alphabet. There is a different animal design for each letter, and here is an example of some of the others:

My silly quilting brain immediately thought, 'wow, wouldn't that be really cool to have printed on cotton fabric, to be made into a baby quilt with some bright Kona solids?!' lol. The designs are seriously adorable. Another favorite item in the shop are the Monthly Onesies; this is a set of onesies that gradually get larger in size, with numbers appliqued on the front. The numbers correspond to the age (in months) of your little one, which would be adorable to commemorate in photos as your child grows!

And who can forget the expectant mom...this hand-painted tee announces to everyone when your little one will be arriving!

So go and check out Jacks and Roxanne for all of your baby shower needs! You can also like them on Facebook.

And now...on to the giveaway! Amanda and Dana from Jacks and Roxanne are offering a $40 gift certificate to their shop to one lucky winner! You have until Friday, August 3rd at 7pm to enter. Please click the link below to take you to the entry page! Good luck!

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway!

Book Review: A Bag for All Reasons

I'm really excited to share a book review with you today, for Lisa Lam's A Bag for All Reasons. You may or may not be familiar with Lisa Lam's Bag Making Bible, which is one of the top-selling bag sewing pattern books out there. Her follow-up to that doesn't disappoint. It's a beautiful spiral-bound hardcover book, with the pattern pieces at the back, attached to the spiral.

The first 37 pages of the book go into great depth in explaining tools and techniques that you will use in making the bags in the book. Lisa explains how to understand the pattern pieces, how to modify a pattern, as well as installing several zippers and magnetic snaps. These are all accompanied by several steps and color photos, which makes them really easy to understand.

All of this is followed up by 12 different bag sewing patterns, ranging from easy ('The Compact Groceries Tote') to more challenging ('The Train-Style Vanity Case'). All of the bags in the book are completely different, and each serves a specific function (a backpack, bicycle bag, etc.).

My favorite pattern in the book is 'The Too Cool for School Satchel'. This is a super-cool update on your run-of-the-mill messenger bag; it has a 3-dimensional front pocket, adjustable strap, and unique hardware for the front closure (I don't think I've seen anything like this closure anywhere else). For such a detailed sewing pattern, it actually isn't as hard as you would think! All the color photos are definitely a plus, and the instructions are written in a very detailed way (i.e. they're not short and leaving you wondering what exactly you're supposed to be doing).

'The Train-Style Vanity Case' is another one of my favorites. This is a stand-up, oval-shaped bag, much like you would see in the cosmetics department at Target (which I always have to stop and look at even though I never get a case, by the way). Again, this is a style that I have not seen anywhere else, as far as sewing patterns go. It also has a cute knotted tie as a handle. There are 2 zippers that close this sucker up, another feature I like extremely well, and the flap also holds all your small beauty essentials, such as brushes. Lisa Lam really has thought of it all with this pattern.

The price of this book is definitely worth it, just alone for the 2 bags I have discussed here. As you can see by the other bags in the book, I'm sure you will find several that you will want to make! You may or may not know that I have a thing about bags, so a bag book really has to be something special to 'wow' me. I really like creative use of purse hardware as well, which this book has. All-in-all, a definite keeper on the craft room bookshelf! Definitely check this one out!

GIVEAWAY! The Fabric Tree + Coupon Code

This giveaway is closed. The winner is #146 jackiescrafts!

I want to share with you a new Etsy shop called Fabric Tree. The Fabric tree currently carries fabrics from Michael Miller, Riley Blake, Windham, and Blend Fabrics. There are a good amount of polka dots (my favorite!) and child-inspired prints in the shop, like this Dress Up bundle from Riley Blake:

Personally, I have my eye on this bundle of Chevrons!

And it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas, right??

The shop owner, Mary, is so lovely and helpful. And right now, you can get 10% off your total purchase at Fabric Tree by using coupon code BACKFROMVACA. Please stop over and check out the shop!

Want to win 2 yards of fabric from Fabric Tree?? Click on the link below to take you to the entry page! You have until Tuesday, July 31st at 7pm CT to enter!

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway!

The Quilt Alliance

I just wanted to share with you a quilting resource that I previously wasn't aware of. I'm talking about The Quilt Alliance (formerly Alliance for American Quilts). This non-profit organization documents, preserves, and shares information about quilts. I think this is such a wonderful idea, as most quilts tell a story, and through the work of The Quilt Alliance, the stories of the documented quilts will live on.

Their Boxes Under the Bed program helps people document and organize quilting treasures that they have found. My friend, Kim, was recently given a box of quilt blocks from her grandmother. You can see photos of some of the vintage blocks here - they certainly are beautiful. Things like this would be great to document for The Quilt Alliance...do you have anything like this that was given to you??

This summer, The Quilt Alliance is partnering with the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild for the EZ Dresden Challenge. This sewing contest (which is open to everyone, not just people living in Salt Lake City) runs through August 30th, and there are some amazing prizes people! Click over here to find out more!

I certainly learn something new about sewing every day, and The Quilting Alliance is a wonderful resource! Be sure to check out the EZ Dresden Challenge!!

Open for Sponsors!

Sew Sweetness is now open for sponsors! Here are a few quick stats, but feel free to check out my Sponsorship Page for more detailed information.

Rates as of July 2012: $25/month (Paypal or shop gift certificate)
Receive: 150x150 button on my sidebar, which will rotate for optimum exposure
                1 blog post announcing your sponsorship, with photos and information about your site
                button on my 'Sponsors' page
                Retweets/shares on my Twitter and Facebook pages for your sales, etc. 
                       (my prerogative, unless we have made specific arrangements)
                optional blog giveaway

I would love to sponsor your shop/site! My free sewing patterns and original sewing content keep my blog traffic busy on a daily basis, which means more potential traffic for you! Please e-mail me at sara@sewsweetness.com! :-)

Purse Palooza WINNERS!!

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2012.

For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!

I am so excited to finally be able to announce the Purse Palooza 2012 winners!! My lovely judges turned in their lists of winners before the weekend, and they certainly had a hard job of narrowing down their choices! I'd just like to say, that personally I think that everyone who submitted a bag is a winner in my eyes! Great job on sewing your purse (or purses!!). :-)

Drum roll please!!!

1st Prize - Sophia Bag (rose.is.a.rose)
* $50 gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop         
* 3-pack of books from Martingale Publishing
* $50 gift certificate to Zipit
* $70 Pellon gift pack (*this prize ships to the U.S. only)
* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics

2nd Prize - Elephant Weekender Bag (sayonion)

* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics 
* 3-pack of books from Martingale Publishing
* $50 gift certificate from Sew Fresh Fabrics
* $30 gift certificate to Spoonflower

3rd Prize - Sun and Sea Messenger Bag (imaginegnats)
* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics 
* 2-pack of books from Lark Crafts Publishing
* $80 prize pack from Olfa Cutting Tools

4th Prize - Toddler Friendly Backpack (sarahmarkos)

* fat quarter bundle from Art Gallery Fabrics 
* $20 gift certificate to The Quilted Castle 

3 Randomly Chosen Winners

$20 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics

DBakerTX for the Pleated Tote ~ MyLittleCeePod ~ Christy@a.AmeliaHandmade for the Art Student Tote

I will be contacting you shortly to arrange receipt of your prizes (unless you see this and contact me first, lol!!). Congratulations!!


Thank you to all of the lovely and extremely generous sponsors!
Art Gallery Fabrics // Amy Butler Design //  Artsy Crafty Babe // Noodlehead // Izzy and Ivy // Serendipity Studio // Martingale & Co. Publishing // Betz White // Sis Boom // Atkinson Designs // Mommy's Thimble // Sew Fresh Fabrics // Bari J. // C&T Publishing // Michelle Patterns // Clover and Violet // Indygo Junction // Marie-Madeline Studio // Pellon // Pink Chalk Fabrics // Lark Crafts Publishing // The Quilted Castle // Fat Quarter Shop // Craft Apple // iThinkSew // Emmaline Bags // Bag Purse Frames // Zipit // Oliver + S // Ellen Medlock Studio // Charlie's Aunt Patterns // Spoonflower

Kickstarter...Take 2

Soo...maybe you saw lately that I was trying to raise money to start a women's clothing sewing pattern operation (if not, you can see my previous post here). I had to re-evaluate because I could already see at the initial stages that my goal was a bit too high. I am sorry to all of those that spent time funding my goal. :-/

I have posted a *new* Kickstarter (since they do not allow you to edit your goal once you've posted it), with a new goal to cover the cost of the garment drafting software only, and allow me to produce the patterns as pdf files to sell online. Your Kickstarter donation is basically a pre-order on the patterns, which you will receive hopefully next summer.

If you funded my initial attempt, I hope you will fund again (pretty pretty please!). And if you didn't see my Kickstarter project last time, I hope you will fund me! I am so earnest in creating clothing sewing patterns...please help me do it!!

You can make a pledge and read more about my Kickstarter campaign here.

Thank you so much, I love you all for all of your support and kind words!! Please tweet or facebook me and help a girl out. :-)

Tutorial: The Conversation Bag

Some of you may or may not know that I had a sewing pattern in the first issue of Modern Quilting Magazine. I have debated long and hard about putting this pattern up on my blog for free (which I am legally able to do). I had a lot of problems regarding the magazine, including never receiving my finished bag back (which cost me $40 in postage to send in). I'd rather not talk any more about the magazine, but I thought that sharing this pattern with all of you, which is similar in style to my Urban Jungle Bag, would give the whole situation a good outcome. So enjoy. :-)

This post is also part of the Christmas in July series at Don't Call Me Betsy. Elizabeth has put together a great series of gifts that you can make for your loved ones (because it is never too early for Christmas sewing!). I have seen some of the other projects already and you will definitely want to check them out!!! Thank you for having me, Elizabeth!

Printable Pattern Pieces

ALL SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE 1cm (1/2") UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING.

Finished size: 24cm (9.5") tall x 35cm (14") long

SUPPLIES


- 1 charm pack (33 charm squares) for the exterior
- 1 meter/1 yard interior fabric
- 1.8 meters/2 yards Vilene #G700 fusible woven interfacing/Pellon SF-101 fusible woven interfacing
- 1.8 meters/2 yards Vilene 520/Pellon 520F fusible interfacing (or you may substitute 2 yards Vilene #S80 Heavy Sew-in/Pellon Peltex #70 Ultra-Firm Sew-In combined with 2 yards fusible woven interfacing)
- 0.5 meter or 1/2 yard Vilene #H630 iron-on volume fleece/Pellon #987 fusible fleece
- 50cm (20") zipper
- 58cm - 71cm (23" - 28") leather handles (I used size 71cm/28" handles for a shoulder bag)
- 1cm (1/2") magnetic snap
- zipper foot
- seam ripper
- coordinating thread
- hand sewing needle
- fabric marker or chalk

- ruler

STEP 1 ~ PREPARING THE PATCHWORK

1a. Take your charm squares and cut them into 6.5cm (2.5") squares. Assemble the patchwork by sewing straight columns/rows, using a 0.5cm (1/4") seam allowance. Make the following:

- 2 units, each 8 squares across by 5 squares high (Main Panels)

- 1 unit, 8 squares across by 2 squares high (Flap)

- 1 unit, 7 squares across by 3 squares high (Bottom Panel)

- 2 units, each 3 squares across by 3 squares high (Side Panels)

It is helpful to iron your seams in alternating rows; for example, the first row iron to the right, the second row iron to the left, the third row to the right, and so on. That way, when it is time to sew the rows together, the seams will 'lock' together and make perfect seams much easier!

STEP 2 ~ CUT OUT YOUR FABRIC


From the Exterior Fabric

2a. Take the 2 Main Panels of patchwork that you assembled in Step 1a. Fold in half lengthwise. Using the Main Panel pattern piece, cut on the fold. Repeat for the other Main Panel piece. These will be your Exterior Main Panels.

2b. Using the patchwork Flap piece that you assembled in Step 1a., fold in half lengthwise. With the Flap pattern piece, cut on the fold. This will be your Exterior Flap.

2c. Take the Bottom Panel patchwork and cut a piece measuring 14cm (5-1/2") tall by 35.5cm (14") long. This will be your Exterior Bottom Panel.

2d. With the 2 Side Panel patchwork units, cut each into a piece that measures 14cm 
(5-1/2") tall by 14cm (5-1/2") long. These will be your Exterior Side Panels.

From the Interior Fabric

2e. With the Main Panel pattern piece, cut 4 each on the fold. These will be your Interior Main Panels.


2f. Using the Flap pattern piece, cut 1 on the fold. This will be your Interior Flap.


2g. Cut a piece measuring 14cm (5-1/2") tall by 35.5cm (14") long. This will be your Interior Bottom Panel.


2h. Cut 2 each, with each piece measuring 14cm (5-1/2") tall by 14cm (5-1/2") long. These will be your Interior Side Panels.


2i. Cut 2 pieces, each measuring 12cm (4-3/4") x 55cm (22"). These will be your Zipper Panels.


From the Fusible Woven Interfacing


2j. Repeat Steps 2e. through 2i.


From the Fusible Fleece


2k. Repeat Step 2i. Also cut 1 Main Panel and 1 Flap. Cut 2 small 5cm x 5cm (2" x 2") scraps of fleece as well.


From the Vilene 520/Pellon 520F
(if you are using heavy sew-in interfacing instead, please cut Step 2l. as 1 layer of fusible woven and 1 layer of heavy sew-in; you will trim the heavy sew-in by 1cm (1/2") on all sides. For all future instructions referring to Vilene 520/Pellon 520F, you will do this instead: place the heavy sew-in against the wrong side of your fabric, centered. Follow that with one piece of fusible woven interfacing, with the fusible side against the heavy sew-in. Fuse in place, sealing the heavy sew-in against your fabric).


2l. Cut 2 each of the Main Panels, 1 each of the Flap, 2 each of the Side Panels, and 1 each of the Bottom Panel.




STEP 3 ~ FUSE YOUR FABRICS


3a. Take 1 Interior Main Panel and one of the corresponding fusible woven interfacing pieces. Fuse the woven interfacing to the wrong side of the Interior Main Panel using manufacturer instructions. Repeat for 2 more Interior Main Panels. Also repeat for the Interior Bottom, the Interior Flap, and the Interior Side Panels.


3b. Take the remaining Interior Main Panel and one of the Main Panel pieces cut from Vilene 520/Pellon 520F and fuse to the wrong side of your fabric following manufacturer instructions. Repeat for only 1 of the Exterior Main Panels, the Exterior Flap, the Exterior Bottom, and the Exterior Side Panels.


3c. Use the remaining Exterior Main Panel and one of the corresponding fusible woven interfacing pieces. Fuse the woven interfacing to the wrong side of the Exterior Main Panel. Then fuse the fusible fleece against the fusible woven interfacing. Repeat for the 2 Zipper Panels.




STEP 4 ~ ASSEMBLE THE FLAP


4a. Take your Interior Flap. Fold it in half, lengthwise, and lightly finger press the crease. Make a mark with your fabric marker that is 5cm (2") down from the longest straight edge.


4b. You will be using the smaller half of the magnetic snap. Take out the washer and place it on the mark that you made on the Interior Flap. Make a mark, using the washer, where the slits are to go. Use your scissors and cut small slits where the marks are. Repeat this for the center of one of your 5cm x 5cm (2"x2") scraps of fleece. The reason that you are using the fleece is that it will help to reinforce your fabric against the pull from the magnetic snap every time you open and shut the flap.


Helpful Hint: I like to put a dab of Fray Check on the slits that were cut. I feel this helps the fabric hold up a bit better under the stress of the magnetic snap.

4c. Slide the prongs of the snap through the right side of the Interior Flap. Place the fleece square, then the washer, over the prongs. Close the prongs outward (use pliers with a piece of scrap fabric over the metal, if you need to), making sure they lie flat.

4d. Take your Exterior Flap and your Interior Flap, and place them right sides together. Sew along the curved edge using a 0.5cm (1/4") seam allowance (do not sew the straight edge). Notch your seam (cutting small v's every 1cm or 1/2"), being careful not to cut into the stitching. Turn your fabric right side out and press.

4e. Topstitch the Flap, 0.3cm (1/8") from the edge, along the edge that you sewed in Step 4d.




STEP 5 ~ ASSEMBLE THE OUTER POCKET


5a. Take the Exterior Main Panel piece that you interfaced with the fusible fleece, and the remaining half of the magnetic snap. Fold the Exterior Main Panel in half and finger press a crease to find the center. The measure up 18cm (7") from the bottom of the Exterior Main Panel and make a mark intercepting the center point. Insert the other half of the snap, using the same method that you used for the Flap.

5b. Take the Exterior Main Panel piece from Step 5a., and 1 of your Interior Main Panels. Trim 1cm (1/2") off the top of each piece (the top is the slightly shorter edge). With the 2 pieces right sides together, sew along the edge that you just trimmed.

5c. Turn your panels right sides out and press. Topstitch 0.5cm (1/4") along the finished edge.

5d. Place the panels that you just sewed, against the right side of the Interior Main Panel that is interfaced with the 520 interfacing. The bottom, unfinished edge of the panels should be even with the bottom of the Interior Main Panel. Baste in place along both side edges and the bottom edge.

5e. With the exterior side of the Flap facing you, baste the long, unfinished edge of the flap with the top of the Interior Main Panel from Step 5c. Check to make sure that the snap closes properly. This unit will now be referred to as one of the Exterior Main Panels.

5f. Take the completed Exterior Main Panel with the flap, and one of your handles. Place the left end of the handle up 12.5cm (5") from the bottom and over 6cm (2-1/2") from the left. Make sure your handle tab is free of the flap so that you are able to open and close it (the strap will be on top of the flap while you are wearing the bag). You may need to adjust the placement depending on the handles you have chosen. Sew the handle tab in place. If your tabs are thick, you may need to hand-crank your needle, or even hand sew. Repeat to secure the right end of the handle. Repeat this step for you remaining Exterior Main Panel and the other handle.


The handles will be stitched through a small portion of the pocket; this is important so that the stitches go through the Vilene 520/Pellon 520F to add stability to the area where the handle tabs are.




STEP 6 ~ INSERT THE ZIPPER


6a. Take your Exterior Zipper Panel and cut it in half, lengthwise.

6b. Place the resulting 2 pieces right sides together. With your fabric marker, measure and make a mark that is 2.5cm (1") in from that left-hand edge. Do the same for the right-hand edge. Sew from the mark to the corresponding edge (each line of stitching will be only 2.5cm or 1" long), using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance.


6c. Set your machine to a basting stitch. Baste, using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance, in between the 2 lines of stitching from Step 6b. Press the seam open.


6d. The wrong side of your Exterior Zipper Panel should be facing you. Take your zipper and place it face down on top of the Zipper Panel. The zipper teeth should be approximately on top of the basting stitches. Pin in place.

6e. Put the zipper foot on your sewing machine, and sew along 1 long edge, pivot, sew the short edge, pivot, sew the remaining long edge, pivot, and finally sew the remaining short edge. You should sew approximately 0.5cm (1/4") away from the zipper teeth.

6f. With the right side of the Exterior Zipper Panel facing you, remove the basting stitches with your seam ripper.




STEP 7 ~ ASSEMBLE THE EXTERIOR

7a. Place 1 of your Exterior Side Panels in front of you. Make a mark at the top of your Exterior Side Panel, that is in 2cm (3/4") from the top left-hand corner. Draw a line from the mark you made, down to the bottom left-hand corner of the Exterior Side Panel. Repeat for the right-hand side of the Exterior Side Panel.

7b. Take 1 Exterior Side Panel and your Exterior Zipper Panel. Place them, right sides together. The short edge of the Exterior Side Panel should be even with the short edge of the Exterior Zipper Panel. Sew along the short edge, and press the seam toward the Exterior Side Panel. Topstitch on top of the Exterior Side Panel, both 0.5cm (1/4") and 0.3cm (1/8") from the seam that you sewed in this step.


7c. Repeat Step 7b. for the remaining Exterior Side Panel, and the other end of the Exterior Zipper Panel.

7d. Take one of your Exterior Main Panels and the assembled Side Panel. Place the long edge of the Side Panel flush with the outer edge of the Exterior Main Panel, starting at the bottom left-hand corner of the Exterior Main Panel. Pin in place, moving up the side of the Exterior Main Panel. When you get to the top left-hand corner of the Exterior Main Panel, ease the Side Panel around the corner, then continue across the top of the Exterior Main Panel. Ease through the top right-hand corner as well, and continue until you have reached the bottom right-hand corner of the Exterior Main Panel.

 Helpful Hint: I found it easier to sew the sides first, then the top of the bag, leaving the corners for last. I was able to more evenly distribute the side panel when attaching it to the exterior panels.


7e. Sew along the edges that you just pinned. Notch (cut small v's) the seam allowance at both of the top corners. Press seams open.


7f. Repeat Steps 7d. and 7e. for the remaining Exterior Main Panel.


7g. Unzip your zipper (this is important so that you will be able to turn your exterior right sides out). Take your Exterior Bottom Panel and place it underneath your assembled Exterior. Line up the raw edges of both, making sure the corners are even, and pin in place.

7h. Sew along one of the short edges, starting and stopping 1cm (1/2") from the corner. Repeat for the other short edges and both long edges. Trim the bottom corners, being careful not to cut into your seam allowance.




STEP 8 ~ ASSEMBLE THE INTERIOR


8a. Repeat Step 6a. and Step 6b. for the Interior Zipper Panel. 


8b. Press the seam allowance of the long edge of the Interior Zipper Panel to 1cm (1/2") (the center of the panel will be unsewn, but press the entire long edge anyway).


8c. Repeat Steps 7a. through 7h. with all of the interior pieces, except you will be using a 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowance. This is important so that your interior will sit more snug inside the exterior of the bag.


8d. Turn your exterior right side out and your interior wrong side out. Place the interior inside of the exterior (so that wrong sides will be touching). Pin in place in several randomly-chosen areas, and also pin the pressed edges of the Interior Zipper Panel against the wrong side of your zipper.


8d. With your hand sewing needle and coordinating thread, hand sew the pressed edge of the Interior Zipper Panel from Step 8b., to the wrong side of your zipper. You may also wish to hand sew a few stitches on the right side and the left side of the bag to hold the interior in place.

Congratulations, you've finished!!


Please give your bag a careful pressing for a nice, professional look. Feel free to e-mail me at any time with any questions at all! sara@sewsweetness.com