Kwik Sew patterns are a favorite of mine. One of my first successful garments was made from a Kwik Sew pattern, and that success, after a string of failures with other pattern lines, inspired me to keep sewing. So during a recent Kwik Sew sale I stocked up on seven of their new 2014 patterns. Kwik Sew doesn’t go on sale as often, and isn’t as deeply discounted, as McCall’s, Simplicity, and Butterick, so I decided to indulge while the price was right. Surprisingly, two of the patterns I bought are craft patterns! I remember when Kwik Sew only produced knit dancewear patterns. Well, Kwik Sew has changed a lot since those days!

My first make from my recent Kwik Sew binge is 4093, a patchwork bag pattern featuring two styles of purses. I chose to make view B, which is a messenger bag style. I prefer a cross-body purse, so this particular bag is ideal for me. Another plus is that view B is the larger of the two purses, it measures 12″ x 3″ by 12″ (excluding the shoulder strap). Bigger is better, as it gives me a place to hide fabric I’ve purchased and need to sneak into the house without my husband noticing. And because of the patchwork design I was able to make this bag using my leftover scrap fabrics, thus making room for more new fabric! That’s definitely a win/win in my book!

Although I really like the design of this purse, I have to say that view B of Kwik Sew 4093 is very time-consuming. There are 28 patchwork squares on the purse and each square is individually sewn to interfacing before the patchwork is seamed. All that interfacing sewing adds a lot of extra prep time to the production of this bag. There are actually three different types of interfacing required, one is fleece which makes the bag really comfortable to wear with its padded strap. But the padded strap is nearly impossible to turn right side out! I finally accomplished it with the aid of a pair of needle nose pliers and all the strength I could muster.

I haven’t figured out a better solution for the difficult purse strap turning process but I have an excellent tip to share with you to reduce the time spent on interfacing this project – courtesy of fellow Denver Sews blogger Lynne! Lynne suggested it would be a lot faster to cut the squares, join them, and then cut the completed patchwork into the bag shape using the purse lining pattern piece. After cutting the joined patchwork to size,  interface the entire patchwork instead of each individual square. Thanks to Lynne, I can really speed up my prep time if I make this bag again. And since IMHO I think this purse would look great in a winter version made from thrifted wool suit pants, there probably will be a next time!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!