Here's a yummy winter warmer of a craft giveaway for you (just in time for Xmas gift making...shudder!)  On offer for one lucky winner is...

• ...Cath Kidstons' new book. Sew.
  
• A pair of yummy piped leather toffee-coloured bag handles.
• A pack of pretty leaf-head pins. 
• AND there's more...you can choose any 2 different half yard pieces of fabric from my shop (provided they are in stock when the draw closes).

Cath's new book has delicious projects for everyone from the beginning sewist (chomping at the bit with their new sewing machine) to the more experienced sewist who is after some pretty projects to make for themselves, as gifts, or items for the home.

  Hurrah!  You can get sewing straight away with this book because it includes pre-cut fabric pieces, buttons, and a label to make the book on the front cover.  It also includes full-sized pattern pieces for the projects in the book.

  How professional does this bath hat look?  So pretty!

  Cute peg bag.  Love that red trim and the oval trimmed opening (how nerdy did that sound?)

   Very cute bag from the front cover.

  Love this jewellery roll.  I need one myself (if anyone of you are offering).

  Birdie cushion.  There are lots of sweet motif templates at the the back of the book.

   It would be lovely to have one of these hotties on my lap right this very minute as I type.  Because I'm freezing and it's raining moggies and mutts outside.

Draw Details (please read carefully)

I'll send Sew, the bag handles, the leaf pin and your choice of fabrics to 1 lucky draw winner.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Tell us what pressies you are making for the 'C' Holiday and include a link to your fave craft tutorial in your comment.
  

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll randomly draw the winner in a weeks time 20th Nov and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck! 
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

I'll also announce the winner blog post on Twitter on the 20th Nov-ish.  Good luck!

...tomorrow.

((Waves hello!!))  to all new peeps who have wandered in from the wonderful Sewmamasew!

Yes I'm still alive, and still writing, and still on Twitter.  I was thinking that if I went on about my book writing to you anymore (at least until next year) you might barf!  Since book writing has temporarily taken my life over I haven't had too much else to blog about - glamorous eh?

So it is with joy in my heart that (in place of the 'B'-word ramblings) I have a yummy book review with the usual giveaway for you tomorrow. I'm sure I can rustle up some nice fabric-ness to go with too.

Yep I have in my possession a brand spanking new copy of Cath Kidston's,  SEW! The book even contains the fabric and buttons needed to make the bag on the front cover - oh yep!

 
If you fancy getting your mitts on this book be sure to pop back here tomorrow.

So hopefully I'll see you folks back here tomorrow with cup of tea in hand for the review. I take one sugar, thanks :)

Whilst I'm not blogging I still Twitter on. See you there?

Hello my lovely blog friends!  How are you keeping?  I miss you all heaps; it's rubbish not being able to blog as often I usually do.  ((Waving frantically to you all!!))

I'm not complaining though, life is wonderful if your work is also your hobby.  That said, with my book writing I have kinda disappeared under rock lately and I have suffered a few other unforeseen consequences:

• I can't do my emails right now (my beautiful assistants are taking care of them).
• What? My chin? What the hell is that on my chin? I grew myself a fuzzy chin?!?
• Upper lip - see above
• Legs - see above
• Eyebrows - see above
• and umm...other bits - see above
• I have mysteriously gained 8 pounds
• Even my pyjamas look a bit more frumpy than usual...
• Haruumph! I don't remember signing up for this little lot in the book contract. 

Next week Lorna the photographer (isn't she amazing!) and Charly the book stylist are coming to my house to do the first round of photography for the book. So I gotta smarten up my act, my mop, and get me a manicure hand treatment thing (because I don't think my construction worker's hands are where it's at) and I actually have to wear something other than pyjamas in my home. It's all so exciting and quite surreal.

  This is where I been working away for the last 6 weeks.  And this is a really tidied up version. Usually it's a bomb site and Al and I argue over the merits of not tidying up your WIP (he just doesn't understand because he's a tidy freak).  See that sewing machine in the bottom right corner?  It's a Janome 6600p and I flipping love it!  Beside it's other cool wing dings it's got a seriously strong motor and it's super fast.  Janome have loaned it to me for me to road test and fickle ol' me has left my own Janome 350 to gather dust (sorry girl).

And everyday Beans waits patiently (snuggled in his bed) for our early evening walk.  He's so lucky!

Meanwhile across the pond my bag buddy Amy has launched an amazing fabric line and a couple of to-sew-for patterns.  Just when I don't have to time to make them up myself.  I mean, I even have my own luscious copies of the patterns right here on my desk mocking me.  :(  

 
Amy does a great job working the English Country Vintage look doesn't she?  This Sweet Harmony bag has such pretty lines, a sweet curved pocket, and the handles have a really nice cut-out design detail.

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Love Love this Liverpool Tunic!  It's instantly slimming (perfect for concealing a superfluous 8 pounds) and as you can make the sleeves and overall length to suit it's great for shrimpettes (like me) or your taller willowy types (like Amy).

 
Amy's fab new fabric line is called Love and it's available in different weights: Quilt/fashion; home dec; laminated and flannel  Flannel!!! (as above) Oh I soooo want pyjamas in the blue and the pink colour ways on the right.

I hope you are all looking after yourselves and enjoying winter food and winter crafting!  Big hugs!!!

Just finished a ppppppocket-tastic nappy bag for the book. More pockets than you can shake a baby bottle at!  I really enjoyed developing this bag partly because I designed it with you in mind - yep I am so lucky.  I ask you what you would like me to design and then you tell me! 

All in all, pattern development, mess ups sampling, and construction for this bag  took around 4 afternoons and 3 evenings so that hopefully it would take you approx 2 evenings to whip this up for yourself. 

I'm sure some of you already know how much work goes into developing an original pattern and instructions for anything (be that knitting, cooking, or sewing).  So of course when your work is born and published it's only right that you claim your work as your own and decide what others can do with your work. Which is why I was totally gobsmacked when Marianne very kindly emailed me to let me know about an Etsy seller who's PDF patterns looked kinda familiar.

This Etsy seller is taking other people's FREE patterns and is re-selling them.  How cynical.

  Seen any of the bag patterns before?  If you're a newbie to this blog, you will find these bag patterns to the right of this blog for free.  Yep, I designed those patterns, they are mine, but they are yours to use for GRATIS.

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   This seller has helped themselves to 5 of my designs.  I told the Twitter folk about this seller and they told me that ALL of the patterns available in this shop are actually free patterns designed by other people.  You might want to check to see that they aren't profiteering from your free patterns...

I'm delighted when folks try my patterns and they are welcome to make items to sell from ANY of my patterns (indeed, I wish them every success if that's what they want to do), but selling-on my free (or pay for) patterns?  Eyes-wide in disbelief, splutter, cough cough!  

**Update** I've reported them to Etsy (as have some of you lovely people) and I've sent the seller a prickly message (see below).  I'll keep you posted on what happens next...

" Hello,

Listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31993057

This is one of five designs that you have taken from me without my permission. I designed those 5 bag patterns and they are available for free from my blog. No one has permission to take any part of my patterns to sell on. I know that all of the other patterns that you sell in your shop are by other designers who also provide those patterns for free and I'm positive they would feel the same as I do. You did not seek permission, you helped yourself in the hope that I (and any of the others) wouldn't find out.
  
May I say that your actions lead me to think that when it comes to business you are underhand and you lack integrity. You are happy to profiteer off the back of hours of other people's work and creativity. I and several others (some of which are the authors of the other patterns) have reported you to Etsy because a person with intentions like yours has no place in forwarding the 'made with love' craft movement.

I would go as far as to say "you should be ashamed of yourself".

Lisa Lam,
owner of U-Handbag (& 5 of the patterns you are currently selling)."

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Right, I'm off to make meself a herbal tea and say oooommmm!

***UPDATE 2*** Yay!  Their shop is no more.  Either Etsy told them to buzz off and/or they felt the collective clout of our efforts and they scuttled off.  See?  This is part of the reason why I love hanging out with the crafty gang.  It's in our nature to be really inclusive and supportive of each other, that is until some lazy Ratfink attempts to cash in on someone's ideas and work.  Thanks heaps for your support, you all rock very muchly.  You should all have a nice cake and give yourselves a pat on the back.   The Crafty Blogosphere proves yet again just how strong and how gaarooovy it is!

What with book writing and things I'm finding it hard to blog nearly as often as I would like - which I HATE because it makes me feel like I am missing out on the party.  So (for the time being) until I grow another pair of hands you'll find me hanging around more on Twitter.  If you're interested in my chatter I'll see you there.  OX!

This rather unexciting post is about exciting news of a Super Duper give away that is for U-Handbag Newsletter readers ONLY.

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Up for grabs: 1 finished Easy Peasy Purse; 1 finished Fortune Cookie Clutch; 4 decent quality back issue sewing mags (one of which has 5 cool full-sized skirt patterns); Crafty Chica's Artful Sewing book; 2 Home Decor Amy Butler Sewing Patterns, 1 Clover Yo=Yo Maker; Acrylic Bag Handles; and finally, 1 skein of Cascasde 220 Skein colour 7805 (yummers!) All together, worth at least 50 smackeroos ($80)

If you fancy a chance at scooping up this little lot, you need to be a subscriber to our Newsletter.

I'm just in the middle of tappity-tapping out the latest Newsletter.  I'll be sending it out tomorrow at approx 1pm UK time.  Inside the newsletter is info you need to know in order to enter the draw.

If you are already a newsletter subscriber you DO NOT need to subscribe again.  If you want to sign up please fill in below.  It's free; whatcha gotta loose?

Soreeee!  So late in announcing the winner of this draw.

As you might have guessed, it's the book writing preventing me from blog writing - acchh! 

Loads of really useful suggestions for my bag designing endeavors with some very clear themes emerging too.  Your suggestions have been taken on board and I'll definitely use them to guide my design work.  So thank very much for taking part!!!

Up for grabs was a finished Baguette Clutch Purse.

Here are our other yummy Purse Making Kits.

Yep that's 2 posts in a day. After this I have a whole chunk of writing to do so I won't be blogging for a wee while (though I will be checking in on the blog as I always do).

Some folks might dread the onset of Autumn, but me, I love it.  Loads of new craft books, fabrics and other craft delights are launched Autumn and we all start to batten down the hatches to stay in and make pretty things.  But for me what is most important about Autumn is I start hunting around for the ideal pair of winter slippers.  I am VERY particular about my winter slippers, they have to be snuggly warm, soft, but hard wearing enough for me to wear to the supermarket, post-office and corner shop. A tough call I know, but half the fun is tracking down the perfect pair - you see, I do things like sky-diving (yes I do), but I am also a hardened slipper nerd. 

Lots and lots of you asked me to let you know when these 2 purse making kits and their purse frames were back stock so, as I don't have time to write a newsletter this week (I'll do it next week) I'm letting you know via the blog.  If either of these kits are your cup of tea, get them while you can, they never hang around for long....

This above finished purse is up for grabs (see below).  The Baguette Clutch Kit is available here.

The Purse Frames are available here.

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The Fortune Cookie Clutch Kit is available here.

The Fortune Cookie Clutch frames are available here.

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Do you fancy getting your mitts on a finished Baguette Clutch AND an Amy Butler Field Tote Pattern?  Yep yep yep?  Then read on...

Win this Amy Butler Field Tote Pattern.

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Contest Details (please read carefully)

Okay, hopefully you know the drill by now :)  I'll send a finished Baguette Clutch (that features in this post) and the Amy Butler Bag pattern to one winner.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

1. Suggesting bag making patterns for me to design.  A few details about the design would be very helpful thanks.
2. AND suggesting small sized purses for me to design as purse/bag kits - the designs need to be small sized because it keeps the price down for everyone.

Contest Official-ness :

1. I'll select the winning name in a weeks time - 24th Sep and announce the winner the following day-ish.  Good luck!
   
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage.
   
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one :)

Hellooo!

Yep still very much here, still very much at home,  still very much writing like the clappers.  My work is not glamorous or exotic, but I am grateful nonetheless.

I've just finished a Vivienne Westwood-esque bag made in the most divine pink and purple Harris Wool Tweed for the book.  Harris Tweed has to be the most gorgeous cloth I have worked with so far.  The quality of the cloth is just superb and no wonder, from the moment you unpack your parcel, the rich patterns peek out the wrappings - grabbing you for swim in their deep colours.  Then you breathe in the earthy scent of the wool, run your palms over the woven fibres, and you are then transported into a lone windswept cottage in Scotland where a man is working hard at his loom creating the very fabric that you behold.  To me (a self-confessed fabric nerd) it's a very personal and sensual thing.

You get these labels sent to you when you order Harris Tweed cloth, or they appear on items made from Harris Tweed.  Cute aren't they?

A sneaky peek cropped photo of my latest bag (that will appear in the book).  Made from pink and purple Harris Tweed.  In case you were wondering the tweed I have used is: A032 Fuchsia/Back 

The cloth is so amazing not just for the depth of colour, but for the fact that each and every yard is hand woven by men in their own homes on the Isle of Harris or Lewis.  Then each and every yard is checked over by human eye.  The wool yarns may be machine spun and dyed, but the Tweed cloth is only ever woven by hand - before being taken back to the mill to be washed.  It's been like that for centuries and I hope that's the way it will stay for many many centuries more.  Harris Tweed is the antithesis of mass production.  It's true that mass production has it's own place for keeping prices down and ensuring ready availability, but it's for those reasons that a mass produced product can never be as meaningful and special as an item that has been made by hand (as if we crafters didn't already know).

Oh it was so hard to cut into the Tweed to make my bag!  After drafting my bag pattern before cutting the fabric I suffered a serious crisis of confidence - was I going to be able to do justice to this beautiful material?  Was the result going to be good enough for the book?  Nearghhh!  Very happy to say that the result was (to my mind) flipping gorgeous and the cloth a absolute delight to work with.

If you fancy getting your mitts on some of this amazing wool try this Harris Tweed Store.  They have a fabulous range of colours and the owner Catherine, is a sweetheart who knows her Tweed (she also has the loveliest Scottish accent). Oh and the prices are very reasonable too (if this was sold in London, it would be stuuuupid money!)

It just so happened that there was a very interesting Harris Tweed documentary on TV last night about the cloth, folks who create the cloth, and an unsavoury chap that wanted to corner the market with his tweed jackets... I'm not sure if this programme is available to folks outside of the UK, so apologies if it isn't.

What with book writing and things I'm finding it hard to blog nearly as often as I would like - which I HATE because it makes me feel like I am missing out on the party.  So (for the time being) until I grow another pair of hands you'll find me hanging around more on Twitter.  If you're interested in my chatter I'll see you there.  OX!

Hi, hope you're you're all okey cokey. 

I'm just getting on with writing (hence the absence on me blog). I have to write a book chapter and make up two bags by early September.  The publisher is then going to take my chapter, make it look preddy and then turn it into a mock up of a chapter - sort of a sales pamphlet for the book.  Then the publisher is going to take this pamphlet (along with others they have created) to a trade show where the buyers are the book seller folks (least I think that's what happens).  Hopefully it'll sell like cakes that are hot.  Anyways the selling stuff is out of my hands.  The publisher I'm working with is great so I'm sure they'll do a good job, that is, if I also do a good job...  

I've moved my book writing activities from my workroom to our kitchen.  Because the kitchen is roomy, sunny, and importantly there's no dis-trac-ternet in the kitchen thus making me far more productive.  At the moment my kitchen table looks like a crafter's naughty dream. It's covered with heaps of droolsome fabrics; tweed wools, quilt weights, home decs, leather, suede, and faux leather. I have new and funky interfacing to experiment with.  I also have some bag making tools, groovy metal bits, and magpie pretty trims, ribbons and corsages.  On the kitchen work surface (opposite the kitchen table) I am drafting the bag patterns, so there is my big gridded cutting mat, my lucky sketching pencil, ruler, compass, calculator, protractor, loads of tissue paper, and my scrawly inspiration note book.  The creative mess makes (tidy freak) Al's eyes water, but he knows I have a watertight case for turning our kitchen into a crafter's tip.  Hopefully the bags won't end up smelling like curries and Chinese food (which we both love).

But please don't be envious of my stash (mwah ha ha!) because I've had a devil of a time trying to balance out different colours, textures, techniques, and bag features across the book.  And I'm sure some of you will know that sewing for yourself is one thing whereas, sewing for teaching is something else.  Of course I can make what I want, but at the same time I need to ensure that what I like, is what readers are going to hopefully going to like/find interesting/and find helpful.  At first trying to get the balance right was like lots of spaghetti in my head, but these last few weeks it has been getting easier to unravel and smooth out, phew!  So far it's been a really interesting and fun challenge.

Someone else who had spaghetti in his head; Picasso - who designed this wonderful beech wood bench.  I'd love to see the flat-pack instructions for it, ha ha!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend (enjoy the Bank Hol if you're in the UK).  I'll be here in my kitchen writing...

Hope you had a fab weekend everyone.  My weekend was quiet, I was tappitty tap at my computer writing the book nearly the whole time.  And that's pretty much how all of my weekends are gonna look until I hand the manuscript in...

Thought you might like to have a peek inside my Bag Book tools and gadgets kit.  Here is a selection of bag making / sewing gear that I have lusted after for years or I save for best (and writing a bag making book constitutes one of those 'best' situations methinks).  I'll add to the list when Mr Postie delivers more of it to my door.  This post is a Clover love-in.   Thanks Clover - you rock!

Flower head pins are also fab for quilters or anyone who likes to get layer-tastic with their work.  They look pretty, you can iron over them (with fabric on top), and they are easy to stitch over.

Bias tape makers help take the dreariness of making your own bias tape. In fact I'd go as far as saying that these tape make bias tape making quite satisfying.  I wouldn't tackle Amy Butler's Weekender or Sophia bags without one. 

Finger presser sounds potentially daft, but it's really handy little gadget.  Far more effective then pinching the heck out your fabric with your fingers and more appealing than the whole rigmarole of getting your iron and ironing board out - urgh!  Works in the same way as a Hera marker.

Disappearing marker, so handy for making last minute markings, and has a finer tip than my blunt lump of chalk.  As it disappears, all 'my working outs' vanish too.

Bodkins makes turning out straps RSO and threading elastic or cord far less swear-worthy.  Also great for poking out corners when turning your work RSO.

60mm Rotary cutter, bag makers tend to feast big on fabric layers. So, to help show them who's boss  it's handy to have a large sharp rotary cutter.  Larger cutters also cut faster. Be careful with your digits!

Sweetheart Rose Maker, I just love them Japanese crafty bods for thinking up this stuff!  Pop a fabric rose on a bag or clutch to give it an instant and effective lift.

Large Flower shaped yo-yo, see comment on the rose maker above.

Patchwork Ironing Board, this is 3 boards in one.  One side is for impromptu ironing (urgh), another side is a gridded cutting board, and the last side has a grippy surface that holds your fabric in place whilst you mark it (cos your hands are busy with a ruler and a marker).  Clever eh?

What other bag making gadgets do you folks love/want/can't live without?

PS: Some of you asked me to let you know when the Baguette Clutch Kit was back in stock. So now I have :)

Nearly 3 years ago a lovely chap called Mark got in contact with me to discuss the finer details of making this Basket Style Handbag for his lady friend.  I told him it was a fab idea and that it was a sure fire way of earning muuuuchos brownie points from said lady.  Turns out that Mark is the sort of person who will give most things a try; a spot of jewellery making, a bit of baking, trekking adventure, fixing trucks, and now some bag making.  I really admire a person who'll give anything a go.

So Mark being set about making a sample bag (very intelligent, (smarter than me, I'm usually too impatient) from an 2 old T-shirts and some boxer shorts - how's that for upcyling?  If you look closely in the pic you'll see my instructions for The Basket Bag on his computer in the background :)

With the sample bag a resounding success Mark set about making the bag proper.  Ta dah!!  She LOVED it of course.  That was back in 2006...

...in 2009. (The bamboo bag handles are these ones.)   Mark sent me these fab pics of his brand new bag (love the way that it is a portrait version). I asked him to write a bit of a guest post to accompany the pics as well.  Over to you Mark...

"Hey Lisa - me again, back for Man Bag 2.0.

After the success of Man Bag 1.0   I have been hankering to find an excuse to make another one.  The opportunity came along with the wedding of a very good friend - whose fiancée is an underwear, shoes and handbag girl.  
 
A drunken night with the best man and usher resulted in a plan - to leave a bag of goodies in the wedding suite of the Bride and Groom (champagne, chocolates, whip, handcuffs etc.).  So, after an email to yourself, a box of materials arrived and with some fabric from ebay, a night was set aside to assemble the bag.
 
Following the clear instructions from U-Handbag, I finished the bag in a night.  I know Helen (the bride) will love it - for only a little effort, it sure does earn you some brownie points!!  (or in my case, a few free meals)."
 

Love that fabric - it's an Ebay purchase so I've no idea who it's by.  Mark also buys fabric stash from (the UK) FabricRehab.

What? Who is this?  It's The Stig of course - find out about who The Stig is here.  Love the luggage Mr Stig!

 
"So....what's with 'The Stig' costume?  Also, on the aforementioned drunken night out with the best man and usher, the groom's stag-do for Malcolm (the groom) was discussed.  It was decided that we would have a 'Stig-do'.  To protect my identity, I have chosen to pose with the bag fully dressed as The Stig."




The real Stig - or is it Mark?  Hard to tell isn't it?


 

What a fine figure of a Stig - ha hahahaha hilarious!


Thanks heaps Mark for the pics and funny guest post Mark. You're a good sport :)

Had to stay in this weekend (except for a trip to John Lewis for fabric, see below)  I had loads of work to do and Al was a bit paddied after his first 2 weeks in hospital. So this weekend was all about enjoying the small stuff like:

1. Seeing Bean's ears bouncing up and down whilst trotting by my side on the way to the park. So cute.
2. Using a new cleaver (a gift from my folks) for the first time.  I have a thing about sharp knives in the kitchen.
3. Seeing Al working in the garden with his top off.
4. The scent of washing drying on the line.
5. A vintage episode of an Audience with Dame Edna on the telly.
6. Finally mastering a new (to me) bag zip technique (Hoo haaa! this one had me tied up in knots and now it's ass is mine!)
7. Al making his first Spaghetti Vongole - yum!  See below.
8. Going to my local John Lewis (a dept. store) to find that they had not only increased the size of the habby dept; they had moved it from a forgotten corner in the upper level AND they had placed it in premier space on the ground floor.  Yeah, this makes me very happy!  Shop space in such a store is a precious commodity so nothing is left to chance.  Some brain-box would have worked out the profit potential of each square foot of the store and they have obviously come to the conclusion that SEWING IS SEXY!!!!   But we knew that long ago didn't we :)

Al's first Spaghetti Vongole, very easy, very tasty.  Sorry Beanie, you can look as cute as you want...

My fabric purchase from John Lewis.  The next time anyone sees these fabrics they will be in my book...

I hope you all had a fab weekend too :)

Had dinner with Amy & David Butler early this week.  I would have taken pics, but I would have looked a bit goofy.  As David was coming too I asked Al to join us (because I was a tad shy - I mean, they are the First Couple of Craft), but Al's still so new at the hospital he couldn't get away on time.

I needn't have worried. We all chatted so much that I barely touched dinner (very unusual!) David was just as excited about craft as the 2 girls around the table.  David is the chap who does all of the gorgeous photos and graphic design on Amy patterns, website and promo material (not too envious, heh!)  They are a husband a wife team who are both very talented, passionate and very particular about their work.  That said, they are both very nice, down to earth and normal.  Of course there's no reason why they wouldn't be normal, but I must have found it hard to sleep that night due to my daft girl star-struckness :)

I told Amy about my book and she is really excited about it (gosh!) I have a super-cool surprise regarding Amy and my book, but I'm going to keep schtum about it for now...  Amy has her own bag making coming out next year too (and it sounds like it's going to be gorgeous).

So, onto book stuff.  The publisher has sent me the re-worked chapter layout (so I know what the chapters are going to contain) and I have received a book layout plan too - the book layout plan tells you how many pages you have to work with and how many pages each chapter has. This is because I have a certain number of pages and photos and diagrams available to me.

I have also nearly finished designing the bags for the book and though I do say so myself I LOOOOVE them, even if it turns out that only my Mum and I love them I will be happy.  All I can say is that they are very 'me' but you won't have seen styles like these on my site and blog...ooo!

And I've been busy getting my mitts on supplies for my book.  I can't begin tell you how much fun it is to phone the marketing dept of a company or the owner of a store and start the convo with "Hello my name is blah and I am going to be writing a bag making book.  I was wondering if you would be willing to supply me with some of your products for use in the book in return for a stockist credit".  It's flipping great! 

Besides the stuff I have in my shop I still want to get my mitts on:

• Leather - mmm!  Leather that is good for use in domestic sewing machines.
• Harris tweed - because it's just gorgeous - enough said.
• A whole heap of designer fabrics - from designers you know and love.
• A whole bunch of bag making tools - I'm sooo going to have fun getting to grips with them.
• Pretty trims.

This bag supplies 'shopping' is all in the name of work...mwah ha ha hahaha!

Joking aside, I'm trying to get my hands on attractive and good quality materials and tools (that are accessible to you and are pleasant to use) and will look great featuring in the book.  Who can I call on next...?

 
Cartoon taken from Toothpaste for Dinner.

Just finished, my fourth PDF sewing pattern for sale.  I hope you like it.  The Get Around Bag available as an instant PDF download. To see my other PDF patterns please look here.

For more info on the pattern design please scroll all the way down...

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' button below.
   
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. As soon as payment is complete you will be presented with the Pattern Download link page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
   
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

The Get Around Bag PDF Pattern = £4.25
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Sewing Pattern includes 9 pages of clear step by step instructions with LOADS of helpful colour photos and full-sized pattern pieces (which are US paper size friendly).

Finished size: 15 6/8” (W) x 10” (H). (40cm x 25 1/2”cm)

Materials:

• 3/4 yrd of 44” wide fabric for exterior and matching thread (72cm of 112cm).
• 3/4 yrd Med iron-on fusible interfacing (only needed if using quilt weight exterior fabric) (100cm).
• 3/4 yrd Fleece/med weight wadding.
• 3/4 yrd of 44” wide fabric for lining and matching thread (72cm of 112cm).
• 1 x Gucci style bamboo handle.
• 1 x 6/8” magnetic snap - large (18mm)
• 1 x 1/5” (13mm) bolt snap
•  Disappearing fabric marker or chalk
•  Pins and a stitch ripper

I could well imagine rocking up to a summer picnic with this bag or taking it on holidays.  That said, this pattern would look fab in wools or corduroys for the cooler months. 

Front.  It's a roomy size of 15" x 10" (38cm x 26cm), great for longer trips into town, but is still feminine.  It will comfortably hold a book, a bottle of water, cardi, wallet and camera.  Closure is a flap and mag snap.

Inside is a natty trimmed inner pocket and a key/wallet loop.

Nice rounded shape (yes I know I have a thing for rounded shapes, but I think curvy makes the world go round - see what I did there?)  The bag is double lined with fleece to help maintain it's 3D shape (without it feeling rigid).  I can confirm she feels so nice and squishy by your side.  The handle is wide and long enough to slip over your arm.

Soft Bottom :)

Inside there is smart self-trimmed inner pocket and also a key/wallet hook to deter naughty fingers. I HATE naughty fingers (after my wallet was pinched recently).

To purchase the pattern please:

1. Click on the 'Buy Now' button below.
   
2. A separate PayPal page will open (you do not need a Paypal account) where you will need to enter your payment details.
3. As soon as payment is complete you will be presented with the Pattern Download link page.  The download takes less than 5 mins. depending on internet connection speed.
   
4. PLEASE NOTE: the download link will expire after 72 hours from payment or after 3 attempts, which ever event happens first.  This is to help protect my pattern. I hope you understand :) Once you have downloaded the pattern to your computer the pattern will stay on your computer for as long as you like (or until you delete it).

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

The Get Around Bag PDF Pattern = £4.25
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©2009 U-Handbag Patterns. Copyright Notes: You are welcome to hand make items from our patterns for commercial and non-commercial use. We are happy for you to sell items made from our designs on Etsy or Ebay etc; your own web site, or market stall etc. However, permissions for commercial use do not under any circumstances include factory manufacture for mass production and selling. We respectfully ask you to not pass off our pattern designs as your own creation. No part of this pattern may be shown elsewhere or re-produced without prior permission. Thanks for your understanding :)

Ta dah!  Just finished a rather pretty and rather useful freebie-licious bag pattern.  I've laid out the free pattern using the same tidy format as my pay for PDF sewing patterns.  I really hope you like it :)

So, this is NOT yer 'average round handled knitting bag' jobbie.  It's still almost as quick and easy to make as yer 'average round handled knitting bag' jobbie, but inside there are big pockets, the pattern can be adapted to make a portrait or a landscape version (in other words, tall or wide version) and will you check the 'I'm a girl and proud of it' pretty dangly trim swinging at the bottom? 

Make yourself a bag that has a touch of glam for everyday or get yourself out of a tight present giving spot for someone's birthday.  It'll take no more than an afternoon or an evening to whip up.

THE LINK TO THE PATTERN LINK IS AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST.
PS: the main pattern is a super easy rectangle - yay!

If you're wondering where to find:

• Bobble trim = try a search in google/ebay/etc. for 'bobble trim, bobble fringe or pom pom trim'.
• Beaded trim = found quite a few sellers on ebay for this stuff.  Also try curtain shops. John Lewis (in the UK).

I took her shopping yesterday lots of ladies were checking her out - not that that matters to me (heh!)  Inside you'll find 2 big pockets.  The 8" Bamboo Round Handles used in this pattern are wide enough to slip over my shoulder.

Yum yum!

Yes ladies with the all new iDangle™ your bag will glint in the sun and you'll be the envy of all the other girls :)

One final gratuitous shot of the iDangle™ trim.

** IF YOU'D LIKE THIS FREE EVERYDAY GLAM BAG TUTORIAL CLICK HERE**

I'd love to know what you think of it :)

Note: to view the PDF tutorial, you will need the Adobe Viewer program.  Get the latest version of the viewer absolutely free by clicking on the button below:

I hope you have fun using my tutorials, if you do we'd soooo love to see pics of your baggy handiwork in the "Bags & purses made from U-Handblog tutorials' Flickr group.  I check it out regular!

Big thanks to everyone who has purchased my new bag pattern I appreciate your support :)

So sorry to have been away for so long.
Some exciting things that have been happening (and will happen) behind the scenes:

1. Just taken on more help.  Susan starts today.  She will help out in the office and share in the tea making and playing with Beans (the office hound) duties. Like phew!  Thanks Susan :)
2. The publisher has given me a rough schedule and I have to send them a draft of what I would like in the book.  I have to send them a draft of the contents and chapters by this Friday.  Still feels very weird to be able dictate what I would like in a book...
3. I have to meet the publishing team in 2 weeks time.  So I have a heap of work to prepare for that.
4. I am meeting Amy & David Butler for lunch (or dinner) soon. Hyhyhyhyhyperventilating...I still feel this way after being email buddies for a little while, but she will always be the Rock Chick of fabric and bag design for me.  Yep, Amy is visiting London town on the 18th Aug and 19th here (scroll down).  If you're town (and you can do a sickie at work) pop in and see her.  She's awfully nice for a rock chick of fabric and bag design...
5. I have been ordering heapso new and yummy-licious stuff for fall/winter (because Summer never really arrived did it?).  There's amazing fabrics for kits on the way - (some by French General - drooooool).  There are 2 new kit designs on the drawing board - dunno when they will be finished (late fall I expect), but I'm really hoping they will knock your socks off).
6. I have a freebie bag pattern on the drawing board.
7. and sometimes when I am too busy to go for my jog in the park or there is just too much going on in my head I get out my vacuum hoover and whizz around the house (which freaks Beans out) and I play these tunes full blast....

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