Another one enters the digital age.

Still steering the good ship You SEW Girl around to new waters, we're working away in the background, re-jigging patterns to be either new-format, newly-rebranded paper patterns or quick pdf downloadables.

Today, we finished the Party Purse as a digital download and popped it up on the website.  (Gosh, I made that sound a bit easy, didn't I?) 

There was a fair bit of reworking done on this one, with lots of fresh new colour photos and a whole new section on the pleated overlay version. 

 This one is designed to be a quick little whip-up number, when you suddenly realise that a little purse to match your outfit is in order.  It seems to work in just about anything, and you can juggle the interfacings to give you the structure you need.  

You only need basic sewing skills for this one, and it's quick to make.
It can be plain, gathered or pleated and can be made with silky bridal fabrics (as seen below) as easily as with reject lengths from the knitting machine (a seen directly above).

Many thanks to my US-living nephew, who happened to be online when I was printing the pattern to PDF.  I was able to get instant feedback on how it printed out on LETTER size.  We tested the A4 here and it was all set to go instantly.  I love technology (today). 

Enjoy!

Did someone mention a PARTY...?

Before the quilt show, I had a little stash-busting blitz to refresh my display of purses. I think they look like they're having a purse-party.

Amongst it all, I rediscovered the quick-fix joy of making the Party Purse (pattern HERE). This purse was originally inspired by the memory of (many years ago) when I was bridesmaid for my best friend.

On the morning of the wedding, I realised that I had no purse to carry the essentials for the day. Having made the my own dress (and the flowergirl's) , I was able to whip up a matching wristlet with a few leftover scraps before getting dressed for the wedding. It wasn't this design, but the idea stuck....
A girl need a super-fast go-to pattern when she's caught without a matching purse.

This purse needs to be small enough to be elegant but large enough for all the essentials ...and it needs to be a wristlet, to free hands up for glasses of champagne, canape's and conversational gesticulations.
It needed to be infinitely variable, to suit a wide range of fabric types, occasions and personal styles. And it needed to be EASY AND QUICK TO MAKE. .
That's what the Party Purse pattern is all about.

So chock-full of instant-gratification was I, in my little Party-Purse-making frenzy, I found myself whipping these up and not wanting to stop. But stop, I did (other fish to fry). I took photos and then forgot all about blogging them.... so here they are, at last.

*****

PS. Many thanks to those of you who contacted me after receiving my latest newsletter. For some of you, it was the first ever (despite some of you being on the mailing list for years). It appears that we now have an email manager that actually SENDS the newsletters, so I'll be more inclined to use it as a medium of communication. If you'd like to subscribe to semi-regular (ok... it's actually quite sporadic) news about classes, products and sales, you can do so right HERE.

How things eventually come together

Around these parts, things rarely happen in a linear, organised fashion. It's all multi-tasking, juggling too many ideas and not enough time, dodging unforseens, managing minor crises and drawing wildcards... and no lists. Most people who see this in action wonder how anything gets done at all.
But they do. All it sometimes takes is a few hours in the studio on my own, with no interruptions. Weeks of half-started projects are completed, photographed and hung in the showroom. Gosh, sometimes they're even Photoshopped and blogged.

(This felted wool number is my Sling bag pattern, with a bit of a ruffly rose made from the off-cut selvedge. I also altered the strap to put a big shiny ring in it. Fabric was a bargain from GJ's).

And HOW LOVELY to see a completed nest of A-line skirt samples - sizes 8-18 (US size 6-16?). My only disappointment was that I made this panel feature on the size 18 instead of in my size.
This pattern is currently being tested by lots of lovely gals, and will hopefully be ready in time for the Quilt and Craft Fair in Melbourne.
My patchwork experiments have been put to use in a few bags and purses. I tried to blend the craftsy look with a bit of street-smart topstitched denim and a few sharp lines. My Day Bag pattern was a good 'blank canvas' to play on...And I made the Day Bag as a satchel, in soft and fuzzy woolly Rathdowne Remnants bargain fabric with more patchwork and a few (..ahem... strategically placed) bits of leather.

This 150mm Frame Purse (below) makes the pretence that what is revealed by the cut-away area is indeed worth featuring (??) but it was a little idea I've had in my head for a while, so it was good to get it out.
And sometimes, to finish off a good finishing session, I just have to start something else...I made this Chunky Purse with some machine-knitted "learning experience" pieces. There was an awful lot of chopping and stitching bits on, until it resembled a rose-ish sort of thing.

It took ages. I nearly gave up and binned it a few times... and then poof! It appeared! As if by magic. (I only wish I'd done it in a colour that's easier to photograph.)

After that, I needed a super-quick-fix, so whipped up a Party Purse in the same knitted fabric - this time using the reverse side (ok.. so I accidentally interfaced the right side of fabric...As the wee girl says after embarrassing interruptions, "Let's continue...").

I slapped on a few randomly cut bits of felted jumper (sweater) with a few rows of top-stitching. Voila! FINISHED PURSE! (...and might I say, finished in an organised, linear fashion..?)
School starts again tomorrow, so hopefully there will be less distractions and more coming-together-of-things.

Gosh, I might even be organised in time for the Quilt Fair ....Who'd a thunk it?

Note to all the people who ask me where to get the patterns, purse frames, interfacing or hardware featured in my blog posts:
Please click on the highlighted text. It takes forever to put all the links in for you - please use them. :)

Review Round-up Update

This is also a bit of Flickr Friday..... but taken from the Review Round-up group.

I love this version of the Party Purse, made by Fiona. You can see the special story behind this purse on her blog HERE, and read her review of the pattern HERE. Fiona has written a few other reviews of my patterns on Pattern Review HERE.

"The other" Fiona has reviewed the hat pattern here.

And Bel has just started a blog (WELCOME TO BLOGLAND, Ms Bel!), and kicked it off with several reviews.... you can read them and see the pictures HERE.


If you'd like to write a review and be in the running for a $100 voucher (or a $50 or 2 free patterns), you can read all about our Review Round-Up competition here. You'll also see lots of links to reviews (that you may like to vote for at the end of the month!).

Showtime!

Bags are packed and ready for the big up-and-down-four-flights-of-stairs car-loading adventure tomorrow. Bump-in day for the show. It's my least-favourite part (seconded by the up and down stairs bit after the show).

I think everyone needs to read what Jodie has to say about the Stitches and Craft Show. It's the post I've been trying to formulate in my poor little overworked brain these last few weeks and haven't been able to find the words. She says it all. Jodie also points over to Jennie, who has very nicely made a linky list of Incubator bloggy-types who you should really come and say hello to at the show.

And now I'd like to introduce The Straw That (Nearly) Broke the Camel's Little Overworked Brain..... known to those-in-the-know as the "Party Purse".

The Party Purse is a cute little wristlet with an optional draped detail (which can be on one side, both sides or not included at all). It has a zippered closure (a different method from the Coin and Make-Up purses) and darted shaping in the body of the purse. It's a quick-fix project for those afternoon "Yikes! I need a bag to match my outfit by this evening" moments.

It's $15 for the pattern and the product code is P1001.

If you're just beginning to branch out from beginner sewing projects, this is an excellent choice. It will teach you a few tricks without being too daunting. If you've used (and learned from) my other bag patterns, you can add rings and detachable straps and change it into a small shoulder bag or handbag.

It'll have its first outing at the Stitches and Craft Show. To celebrate, there's going to be a SUPER GOOD DEAL involving it.... at the show. You have to come.

If you'd like to order the Party Purse Pattern online, it's on the website. Leah's holding the fort while I'm away and will be answering enquiries and processing orders as efficiently as ever this week. Go on... give her something to do!
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See you at - or after - the Show!