Just a few weeks ago McCall’s, Butterick and Vogue patterns were on sale for 99¢ each and I ended up ordering just over 30 patterns, some being duplicates of patterms I already own. It seems it would be less expensive to buy a new pattern than to trace each onto the Swedish Tracing Paper like I normally do, so why not! This enticing sale also had me swooning over many of the kids clothing patterns; this McCall’s M6688 kids pullover top and skirt being one of many. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Joel Dewberry
Project #7: Bird-Watcher Messenger Bag
Talk about a productive morning! I got most of my todo list crossed off and I completed sewing this messenger bag, all before lunch!
The New Handmade is a book with a good mix of projects, including many smaller, patchwork items. I like some of the projects, but absolutely hate the way the patterns are written.
For example, this messenger bag is written with instructions like “cut 2 from olive bird print fabric”. Another problem was orientation. There are many pieces and without knowing where they will be placed, it is hard to orient how I should cut them.
I stopped following the instructions after having built the front of the bag, I just couldn’t seem to grasp the concept and figured I could make it work on my own from there. Obviously, that worked out just fine. If I make this again (and I probably will) I would make it a bit bigger and reduce the length of the strap.
Book: The New Handmade: Simple Sewing for Contemporary Style (That Patchwork Place)
Project: Bird-Watcher Messenger Bag
Fabric: main fabric is Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow – Herringbone in Berry (from Etsy seller StitchCraftShop) and the lining fabrics are from Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush line (from Etsy seller PatternCrush)
Notions: Quick release clip and heart button
Thread: Gutermann 100% polyester col:
Difficulty: Some challenges
Sew again: Yes, with changes


