Perfect Pattern Parcel #7: Handbags Galore!

Good morning! Welcome to my day of this awesome round of the Perfect Pattern Parcel.  This parcel is very exciting.  To start with, this is the LAST parcel of the year, so I'd really love to see huge support of this one so the awesome people behind the parcel can meet their goal and donate tons of needs to school kids!

If this is your first time hearing about the PPP, here is what it's all about, right from the mouth (fingers?) of the founder...

"Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Its our goal to raise over $20,000 for Donors Choose this year."

And you only have have FOUR MORE DAYS to get in on this awesome deal. To start with, the pattern collection of this round is just awesome. AND, because I really want to encourage you to spend enough the get the *bonus* pattern, that's the one I've chosen to sew up! Meet my Daphne:

I am totally in love with this bag.  Once in a while I get a hankering to quilt, but I am really not a very good quilter.  So this bag... totally scratched that itch

**Editing to add the pic I took on the way out the door this morning with my bag all packed**

Bag is holding: 2 diapers, wipes, extra pants for Connor, bottle of water, bottle of gatorade, various kids snacks, wallet, phone and keys... AND there is room to spare!

Before I start gushing over my bag, let me break down the patterns in this parcel... 

Parcel #7 includes:

Barcelona Bag and Wallet by Pat Bravo

Butterfly Sling Purse by Emmaline Patterns

Evelyn Hangbag by ChrisW Designs

Midtown Messenger Bag by Betz White

Betty Bowler by Swoon Sewing Patterns

BONUS PATTERN: Daphne Bag by Clover & Violet

What's a bonus pattern? Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #6 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's only $5.33 a pattern. This is a brand new, never been seen before pattern and is an exclusive opportunity for Parcel #7 customers!

I have to say, this pattern was so much fun to sew.  The directions were clear and easy to follow, and I really enjoyed playing around with my fabrics..

All of these fabrics came from my stash... I have these three packs of charm squares from Anthology fabrics that have been sitting on my shelf for a year now waiting for a project.. The best part? They are 40 square packs, so I can make TWO BAGS out of each pack!  The other batik's in the picture are also Anthology Fabrics batiks.

The bag has two inside pockets, as well, which are a total requirement when I make a bag... or I'm constantly losing my keys and phone (which I do anyways...).  I love how all the different pieces come together to and it was so much fun to play with the different accent prints.
Even the strap has a cool accent piece!

By the way, make sure you find your hardware in advance!  My Joann's doesn't carry the rectangles or sliders and neither does my Walmart, or either of the local quilt shops.  BUT, here's what I did and I think that if you find yourself with the same problem, this solution may help you.  Our town has this thrift store (not Goodwill, they were kind of spendy) that helps fund the local homeless shelter.  I go there every now and then and raid their sewing section for $.25 zippers (used on this purse!!) and other cool notions for super cheap.  Well, I went this time to the purse area... and bought an ugly old bag for $.99 with the slider and rectangle thing on, and cut off the strap and voila!

As for the other patterns in this parcel... when I got the pattern list, I was super excited to see two patterns that I already own... I will recommend without reservation anything that Swoon makes and I may have a few Emmaline patterns that are sitting in my *make me* file.

So for all the right reasons... Awesome patterns, great price, AND great cause... Go out and grab this parcel... and I know it's close to the holidays, but these prices are spectacular, and if you're still looking for Christmas gifts... these are perfect!

Perfect Pattern Parcel #5 Blog Tour!

Hi! I am really excited to tell you about Perfect Pattern Parcel #5. 

Last round was super successful, raising $1000 for classrooms in need!  This brings the total that the Perfect Pattern Parcel bundles have raised to over $11,000!  How amazing is that?  So not only are you getting great patterns, but you are supporting children's education.

This round here are the awesome patterns you get from the parcel:

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-a-Boo Patterns

Everyday Yoga Pant for Girls by Greenstyle

Asymmetrical Drape Top by EYMM

Playhouse Dress by Fishstick Designs

Mimi Dress and Shirt by Filles a Maman 

BONUS PATTERN: Sunki Dress by Figgy’s

If this is your first intro to the Perfect Pattern Parcel, here is how it works.  You get to name your price for the patterns included in this bundle.  If you name your price OVER $28, you get the BONUS PATTERN... which is actually a double bonus this round, because it includes both size ranges.  So you get the Sunki dress in sizes 18mo through girl's 16!  After expenses, all remaining proceeds from sales go back into donorschoose.org to support classrooms in need. 

This bundle was super exciting for me, because I actually owned three of the patterns already, and all of the designers on the list are ones that I love showing off my creations from.  For this post, I want to talk about two of the patterns... mostly because they made the cutest outfit together....

Check out my wild child rocking the Asymmetrical Drape top and Everyday Yoga Pants..... entire outfit... cutting included -- under 90 minutes.  Awesome.

Asymmetrical Drape Top from EYMM
Sizes: NB through 18 teen
Two shirt asymmetry options
Two bottom finishing options
Clear, simple instructions that are easy for even a knit newbie to follow.

 The knit I used on the top was the slinkiest, slippiest, staticy-est (I know those aren't words, but you get my point...) fabric that I've ever sewn.  Inara found it in the clearance bin at Walmart, and said it was *so soft* she just *had* to have it.  So we got it, and she just loves the shirt.  I dreaded the idea of hemming it, so we went with the banded bottom and used a nice black ribbing to match the neck binding.

And the pants...
Everyday Yoga Pants from Greenstyle Creations
Sizes: XS-XL (approximately girls 4 through girls 14)
Multiple length options: short, capri, or pant
Fast sew, with yoga waistband
Easy to follow instructions

 It's still relatively warm out here, so I went with the capri version.  They are meant to be made with fabrics that have some good stretch and recovery on them, and as I attempted to explain this to Inara, she was already pulling this dance wear lycra print off the shelf.  So I think she understood the lesson at least.  They are a little bright, but they totally fit her personality, AND they match her hair.  The fit on these is perfect without any adjustments, and Inara loves the comfort of the yoga waistband.

If you're on the fence, you will not regret grabbing this Pattern Parcel.  It's a great collection for those mostly knit lovers, with a great bonus sophisticated pattern too!  I'll be back later in the week to show off some more sewing from this bundle as well!

If you're decided already... hop over and grab the bundle:

But, if you're waffling, make sure you check out the rest of the tour, it will definitely convince you to get it!
Parcel #5 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, September 19 Pienkel || Cookin' and Craftin'

Saturday, September 20 Sew Busy Lizzy || The Life Of A Compulsive Crafter

Sunday, September 21 Keep Calm and Carrion || Felt With Love Designs

Monday, September 22 Radiant Home Studio || Sewing Sober

Tuesday, September 23 Sew Fishsticks || La Pantigana || Amanda Rose

Wednesday,September 24 Shawnta Sews || Sprouting JubeJube || Knot Sew Normal

Thursday, September 25 Make It Perfect || Mimi's Mom || Climbing the Willow

Friday, September 26 Needle and Ted || Our Family Four

Saturday, September 27 Froo & Boo

Sunday, September 28 Stitches by Laura || Vicky Myers creations

Monday, September 29 Cookin' and Craftin' || The Crazy Tailor

Tuesday, September 30 mama says sew || FABulous Home Sewn || The Inspired Wren

Wednesday, October 1 lady and the gents || That's-Sew-Kari || Sewing Sober

Thursday,October 2 Gracious Threads || Blogs Like A Mother || SewsNBows

Friday, October 3 sew chibi || Lulu & Celeste || Made by Sara  

 

Perfect Pattern Parcel Blog Tour, Post #2: Maxwell Top from Shwin Designs

This is my second post about Perfect Pattern Parcel #4, and I will jump right in there by saying that you really should buy this bundle if you haven't yet!   If you missed my first post, check it out here to see Connor rockin' his Zippy Jacket. 


Pattern Parcel #4 is all about boys... Included in this parcel are the following patterns:

Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs

Zippy Jacket by Blank Slate Patterns

Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado

Small Fry Jeans by Titchy Threads

Jet Pack Bag by Betz White

Bonus Pattern:  Knight Hoodie by Charming Doodle.

AND, if you're like me, you probably need an explanation of how this works...

You have until September 5th to purchase these patterns while supporting both the awesome indie designers who made them AND children's education equality, as after expenses are paid the remaining profit is donated to Donorschoose.org.  So there are 5 patterns included in the bundle and you kind of get to name your own price on this bundle (retail value is over $60).  If you pick a price over $26, then you get the bonus pattern.   It's back to school time, and if you're like this house, money is tight, but if you can, the Perfect Pattern Parcel people (say that one ten times fast?) would love it if you choose  to pay as much as you can so that they are able to donate as much as possible to Donorschoose.org, and organization that helps support children's education.

Connor LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!

For this second post, I've chosen the Maxwell Top by Shwin Designs to show you.  This pattern is pretty awesome, in fact, I like it so much, that I actually already owned it prior to signing up to blog about the Pattern Parcel.   

The details:
Sizes 12mo - 8yrs
made for woven fabrics
short sleeves
back yoke, lined collar, pockets and tab all make this perfect for a pop of contrast

I made my shirt in size 2 on Connor - he's really on the border of 18mo/size 2, and I think it could have gone either way,  but he'll get more wear out of the larger size.  I used some of his favorite Olaf fabric and paired it with a nice orange solid (I really wanted the Olaf to *pop*, so I changed to orange after originally picking blue).   The tabs on the sides are done using some cool twill tape that I had in my stash, and attached with two blue checkered buttons that I also had in my stash.  I waffled a bit with the front closure and ended up going with snaps, because i really liked the sort of urban look that they gave it.

Okay, silly show off close up here - check out how awesome that one pocket came out??? I totally nailed my fussy cutting!!  (dances happily)

I love the finished look this pattern has - from the facings to the decorative top stitching (I waffled here too, and I am really glad I went with the contrast instead of an orange) .  The instructions are easy to follow along, and the diagrams are clear and easy to undersand.  At one point I misunderstood something, I emailed the designer and heard back from her within minutes, AND she was very nice and sweet, even when responding to my ridiculous question.  In retrospect, it was a pretty silly question, so I'm really glad she didn't respond with "umm... are you sure you know what you're doing??" 

Total time spent on the pattern was about 2 hours including cutting.  I may have been a little slow, because I kept waffling on the details, and fussy cutting, but it still came together much faster than I actually expected!

So all in all, this pattern has actually sold me on Shwin patterns in general, not just for the great pattern, but when a designer takes time to answer and is happy and informative, it just wins me over.  And, its the second pattern I've sewn up from the Perfect Pattern Parcel #4 and I am just as happy with this one as I was with the Zippy Jacket.  I own the Knight Hoodie too, and that one is also a must have ... so really ... click my link!! <I don't get paid if you use my link, but I do get entered in a drawing to thank the bloggers>


And, if you're still on the fence...  Check out the posts from these other amazing bloggers (but hurry and buy it, because Parcel #4 ends on the 5th!):

Friday, August 22 casa crafty || Lulu & Celeste || Keep Calm and Carrion
Saturday, August 23 Max California || Amanda Rose
Sunday, August 24 little betty sews
Monday, August 25 Kadiddlehopper || Radiant Home Studio
Tuesday, August 26 La Pantigana || Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts || Friends Stitched Together
Wednesday, August 27 Make It Perfect || Modern Handmade || GYCT Designs
Thursday, August 28 Needle and Ted || Mae & K || Mimi's Mom
Friday, August 29 Pienkel || Once Upon a Sewing Machine || Friends Stitched Together
Saturday, August 30 FABulous Home Sewn || Gray Skies || The Crazy Tailor
Sunday, August 31 Nine Stitches || Max California || Oliver's Fancy || Friends Stitched Together
Monday, September 1 a happy stitch || lady and the gents || Our Family Four || Swoodson Says
Tuesday, September 2 verypurpleperson || Things for Boys || The Crazy Tailor
Wednesday, September 3 Our Family Four || Rebekah Sews || a happy stitch
Thursday, September 4 Sew a Straight Line || la inglesita || Made by Sara || Knot Sew Normal
Friday, September 5 Knot Sew Normal || Gracious Threads || Sofilantjes || Max California