I consistently use PatternReview.com to check out new sewing patterns and read tips on construction before sewing garments. But the site has numerous features I’ve never fully utilized. Of those, the most intriguing to me are the sewing contests, but I’ve never managed to get any of my projects finished in time to meet the contest entry deadlines.
About a week ago I discovered the Pattern Review Handbag Contest. It was running through November 30th and entries had to be sewn between November 1st and November 30th. Darn! I just completed a Kwik Sew purse on October 31st! But the cotton bag I made was very summery, and the color and fabric weight I chose looked wrong for winter use. So I decided to go ahead and enter the contest with a winter version of Kwik Sew 4093.
My idea was to use recycled wool clothing to create my second version of this bag. I had five wool skirts and one pair of wool pants in coordinating colors to work with. I deconstructed the clothing, removing the darts, waistbands, and hems to create flat fabric to use as yardage. For one of the patches I used the rear pocket from a pair of men’s wool pants. This created a buttoned pocket for extra storage on the front of the purse.
Unfortunately since I had made the purse so recently I didn’t think I needed to review the instructions. I sewed the patchwork for the bag with 1/4″ seams. Oops! It’s designed with 1/2″ seams, not 1/4″. And that meant the patchwork part of the bag ended up a lot larger than the lining. So I had to take the whole bag apart, all 28 pieces, and resew the seams at 1/2″. Sigh. It looked like once again I wasn’t going to have a project ready for the contest. But as the final hours of the contest wound down I managed to finish the bag and write my review. So my entry squeaked through just before the contest deadline! Whew!
Denver Sewing Collective 
[…] and I found the leftover fabric from a pair of men’s pants I originally thrifted for my Pattern Review Handbag Contest Purse. But the pants didn’t match the grey of the tee or the nightgown. So now I […]
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[…] on my second notebook cover. The fabrics and button on this version are left-overs from my Pattern Review Handbag Contest purse. Once my sewing slump is over, I might give the Stylish Notebook Cover another go. They’re […]
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[…] and patchwork potential. Kitty entered her wool tote in a Pattern Review contest and wrote about it here. It looks great in black, grey, and […]
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I love to harvest fabric from garments. I’m thinking of trying out this purse using men’s wear suiting fabrics. Your purse inspired me.
Deborah
Sew Much To Give
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[…] projects in 2014 I relaxed with some fun craft projects. My 3 favorites, pictured above are: my Pattern Review Handbag from Kwik Sew 4093, Bag Refashions (my own design), and Animal Potholders from Kwik Sew […]
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What a great bag. I love the fact you have upcycled skirts – one of my favourite sources of fabric!!
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Awesome refashion!!! Love the colour combo!!!
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Featured today, Kitty…
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Beautiful job and the colors are awesome!
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I like lots of things about this – the colors, the way you put it together, the pocket flap, button – great job.
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Love the pocket flap! I need to print off the pattern review contest schedule for next year and plan around it because I always do the same thing with not timing things right for contests.
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Beautiful and inspiring
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I love this version of your bag! It looks really sophisticated with your color choices, the pocket, and a great button. Love it!
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