In the Clutch - Pretty Bags and a Giveaway

My Girl's Night Out pattern has only been out a few weeks, and already it's popping up.  Here's a beautiful version that showed up in the Flickr group belonging to Jill at Homemade by Jill.  A-maze-ing to have such a great sewist and blogger make one of MY patterns.

This version comes from my local friend Sarah.  Teacher extraordinaire and mommy to 2 beautiful girls.  

And if you aren't a follower of Roselee at Jane of All Trades (why aren't you a follower?) now's the time.  She's my dear friend, busy super-mom of 2, Daisy leader, blogger, and oh yeah, she tested my pattern and made 5, yes 5 clutches! 

She'll be posting them, each with a twist, with a pattern giveaway at the end.  Check out this super springy version. 

I've been super grumpy this week because it just doesn't feel very Spring-like.  Looking at this bag cheers me right up.  Hard to feel blue with such a pretty bag tucked under your arm.

Girls Night Out Clutch - New Pattern!

 After putting together my first PDF pattern for the Mirabelle Messegner Bag, I didn't think I'd have it in me to do another pattern.  Then one night, I went out with some girlfriends and realized all my purses are big, kid snack toting, former diaper bags.  With both kids out of diapers, it was time for a cute little, going out bag. 

So I came up with this pattern, and made a few.  Well, 5 to be exact.  The thing is, the pattern requires so little fabric and hadware that making 5 is pretty easy.  You could easily make one for every outfit!

 The size is big enough to fit your wallet, keys, phone, even some tissues, yet small enough to tuck under your arm or carry on your wrist.  The side strap attaches at the top so you can just tuck it into the purse if you don't want to use it. 

 There are so many possibilities for this bag.  I show you how to add some pretty piping along the flap.

 You can keep is simple with a beautiful print.

 You can add a chunky button to the flap.

Want to make your own?  You can buy it here, from my shop,

$7

Or if you'd rather buy it through etsy, they now offer an instant download feature as well.  Get the pattern HERE.

Add your finished bags to my Flickr group.  I love seeing what you come up with!

Stefanie's Clutch

My coworker Stefanie mentioned the other day that she was having trouble finding a clutch to match her shoes and dress for her brother's wedding. I of course said "I'll make one for you!" It was a fun project to work on, took very little time, and she and I were both very happy with the results. Here's what I did.....

I used a free pattern on the Kwik Sew website, and this tutorial from noodlehead, which I had used before to make this clutch.

I cut out the pattern pieces as described, except for the front I cut a large rectangle about twice the width of the clutch front.



I did a gather along the top edge (2 parallel rows of stitching set at the longest stitch length), and ironed the gathers flat.



Then, I ironed the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric and cut around the edge to get make the gathered front of the clutch.



I finished it up following the instructions and then added a "glamour ring" to match her shoes.



I'm sure Stefanie will be VERY glamorous with this clutch.....and those shoes!