Monroe Handbag

Have you ever heard me mention testing patterns for Linds Handmade Designs before? Ha! Yes, I've tested many of her patterns already, and now she has another one out. I'm a little late posting this, so it's beyond time to catch the sale price, but I think all of her patterns are well worth the regular price. (Also, it's a pretty well-known fact that every time she releases a new pattern, her entire shop goes on sale at 20% off, so if you still want to catch the sale price, just wait. I happen to know she's already working on a new design!)

Without further ado, let me introduce you to the Monroe Handbag. Isn't it cute?! That shape! Those handles! This is the front:

Here's the back:

(Side note - Linds also has a Marilyn Wallet pattern. The two make a perfect pair!)

I took a few process photos along the way this time. I forgot to take a pic of the bottom after completion, so here you can see the purse feet right after I installed them. The rest of the collage pics are of the handle-making process. It was kind of involved, although I didn't find it that difficult. (If rolled handles intimidate you, the pattern also includes instructions for flat handles.)

Since the faux leather I used had a white backing, I colored the edges with markers and then sealed them with edge coating.

The purse closes with a recessed zipper, shown here:

The pattern calls for a metal zipper end, but since I didn't have any on hand, I just made my own out of the fabric.

The snap set you can see in the photo above is used to close the end of the bag (and there's one on the other end, of course) to give it its cute shape. 

Below is the view with it snapped...

... and next is how it looks unsnapped. That will give you a little extra room in your bag.

Here's a look inside at the waterproof canvas lining - one side has two slip pockets, while the other side is plain (or you could add more pockets if desired).

The outer pocket on the back (or you could call it the front if you like) is the perfect size for your cell phone to keep it handy.

It's a small handbag, measuring about 10½" across by 7¼" tall by 4" deep. Here's how it looks on my arm.

The outer fabric is some of Jess's now-out-of-print barkcloth. I do love that texture!

So that's it for the Monroe Handbag! I already have another project completed, so if I get in gear, I'll have that posted soon, too. I hope.
 

Slim Sling for me

Believe it or not, I just got my first-ever cell phone this past December. (I know, I’m way behind the times, right?) To top it off, I was coerced. I was perfectly content with my iPad and could do everything on it as long as I had wifi. I really didn't want a cell phone... one more device to maintain and deal with... but Grandpa (who’s had one for years) wanted to ditch the landline, so I’m now the owner of an iPhone 12 Pro. I mean, if I have to get one, why not go for the one with the best camera(s), right? ;) It IS nice to have a camera that fits in my pocket so is handy whenever I’m outside.

It’s worked out well so far just putting it in a jacket pocket for going to town or outside somewhere. But the weather’s warming up and will soon be too warm for jackets, so I figure I’ll need a way to carry it along to town, since I don’t like the idea of having it in my jeans/pants pocket. Here’s my solution: a Slim Sling, from the pattern by Linds Handmade Designs.

If it looks familiar, it’s because I made one before when I tested the pattern. You can get all the details about it here. This one is just a bit different, as I made the version with the zipper pocket instead of the clear vinyl back.

I used cork fabric in my favorite color - teal, and I found the perfect lining fabric, which I’d purchased in a grab bag of scraps.

Here it is, all loaded up with cards and my new phone.

Of course this is too nice to use for working outside, doing cat chores, etc. I have a couple other projects in mind, so check back later and see (but not too soon, because I haven’t started them yet)!

kraft-tex Purse Pal

Here goes another attempt at a post from the iPad. 🤞🏻

I did another quick pattern test last week. This will look pretty similar to my last post, but it’s a whole new pattern - the Purse Pal, once again by Linds Handmade Designs. It’s longer than the Pocket Pal and has an outer slip pocket, plus six card slots instead of just three.

Once again, I used kraft-tex to make it from, because I think it’s cool... and because it requires no edge finishing. So it was a pretty quick and easy project.

The lining is quilting cotton.

Here’s a comparison between the Pocket Pal and the new larger Purse Pal.

Did you notice the little red flower-shaped snap? It’s a KAMsnap.

So there ya have it! The pattern is at a discount price through this weekend, so if you’re interested, get it now at Linds Handmade! As always, there’s a very helpful video tutorial to show you how it’s done.

Whew! I think I got through this on the iPad. It was somewhat challenging, but hopefully it’s a success. Let me know if you have any issues when viewing it.

kraft-tex Pocket Pal

One of my stocking stuffers this past Christmas was a package of kraft-tex (thanks Jess... er... Santa!). It's something I'd heard of before but had never had any, so I was eager to give it a try. It's actually made of paper - "a kraft paper that performs like fabric" - and is good not only for sewing but for all sorts of craft projects. Here's a good video to learn a little more about it. It's washable, doesn't tear, and has sort of a leather look and feel to it.

I decided to give it a try with the Pocket Pal pattern that I've used before. It has all raw edges, which made it perfect for the kraft-tex. It sewed nicely, although not as smoothly as fabric or leather, but still totally doable. I took a risk and did contrast topstitching (without practicing because I didn't want to waste any) and was quite pleased with how it turned out.

I used some scrap fabric for the lining and inside the card slots, and a KAMsnap for the tab.

I wasn't totally thrilled with the puncture holes on the back side of the seam, but it wasn't a deal breaker. However, just look at that cool texture!

Here's a Pocket Pal I'd made before in leather for comparison.

I like it! It's very sturdy and should hold up for a long time.

Kraft-tex isn't just for sewing projects, but for many kinds of paper crafting, too. It'd be great for scrap-booking, if you're into that. If you're interested, Amazon has lots of it for sale. Give it a try and (or if you already have) let me know what you think. I'm open to project ideas, too. Since you can print on it with an inkjet printer, I'm thinking of maybe making some labels, for one thing. There are endless possibilities! 

LindSport Mini Backpack

Last week I finished up another pattern test for Linds Handmade Designs (note that she has a brand new website!). Even having had a baby in between the last pattern and this one, it didn't slow her down much. She's still writing great patterns!

This is her latest, the LindSport Mini Backpack. I made mine in all waterproof canvas (WPC). I don't know that I would actually recommend doing that, as it did make it somewhat more challenging. But I do love how it turned out! Here's the front:

The back...

... which has a nice sized zipper pocket with plenty of room for your phone and/or other things. There's also a key clip to hang your keys, a mask, or whatever you like. With all of this up against your back when worn, they are pretty secure from anyone sneaking up behind you.

Inside that front pocket, there's a divided slip pocket for pens, lip gloss, sunglasses, notebook... whatever you choose... plus the pocket itself has a small gusset which gives it a little extra room, and the zipper doesn't go all the way to the bottom, so it prevents your stuff from falling out when you open it. She thought of everything!

The main compartment has a double zipper to make it more convenient to open.

Inside there's one more slip pocket. The seams inside are pretty easily bound with the same WPC that's recommended for the lining, which gives the bag a bit more structure.

It's a good kitty size, although I didn't actually try it on her, as a tester friend did with hers. I think her cat is much more tolerant than mine. Ha! Annabelle prefers to just 'look'.

If the fabric looks familiar, you've seen it before here. It's the same WPC from which I made the H2O 2GO Sling, also by Linds. Here they are together.

Once again Wonder Clips proved to be invaluable, holding those curved seams together!

An even bigger challenge for me was that back pocket. I wouldn't have had to line it, since I used WPC for everything, but I chose to because once having made a welt pocket with a faced zipper, I can't not do it anymore. :)

Nothing sticks very well to WPC, and since you're not supposed to iron it, I had quite a time holding those edges down until I got my zipper sewn in. I ended up hand basting them, which did the job well, even though it was a pain.

So that's the gist of it. I was very pleased with how it all turned out! Besides her well-done patterns, Linds always makes a very helpful YouTube video to demonstrate how it's done and add a few nice tips. The one for this backpack can be found here.

I'm sorry for not getting this post done in time for you to take advantage of the pattern's discounted price over the weekend. It was a birthday gift for Miss Courtney herself, and I didn't want to take a chance of spoiling the surprise. Her birthday was yesterday (how can she be 14 already?!), so she has it now, and here she is modeling it

I hope she'll find some good uses for it. Maybe an outing with friends. Or a trip to Disney! (How about that idea, Dad?😉)