Modified Coraline: Swoon Sewing Patterns

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I made another bag! Yes, its another Swoon Coraline (affiliate) and it is modified! I used the small coraline and she looks so cute! Perfect for a little one!

It almost doesn't look like a Coraline. It has a strap like these ones I made and the same length. I cut the strap at 29" x 4". I folded it like bias tape (but not cut on the bias) and added batting. 

The front flap is just a shortened and narrowed the main piece with a snap.

I also used the main pattern piece (taken in about an inch and a half) for the outer shell and the lining omitting the recessed zipper and thus, the need for the two interior pieces. It made the topstitching a little bit easier actually! And easier for little hands to get in and out of!

It is a cute little bag and I am proud of how it turned out. It was for a 5-year-old's birthday party on Saturday! We added some crayons to go with it! 

The back. I tried fussy cutting the fabric the best that I could to have both Anna and Elsa decently displayed. What little girl doesn't love Elsa and Anna?

Honestly, though, I am so excited about how it turned out! I got to use a new snap applicator that I have picked up. 

The Coraline clutch is a part of the Favorites Collection (affiliate) too!

Swoon Sewing Patterns: Ethel Tote

This post contains affiliate links.  It was not requested of me to write this post. 

All opinions expressed are my own.

I needed a new purse. For the last year I have been carrying the large Coraline pattern by Swoon Sewing Patterns. You can see my Coraline here. I over stuffed her and pushed her past her limits. It's sad, but she needs to retire. Worked harder than most my other purses (it didn't help that I learned the hard way how to do those handles, interfacing is not the same thing as facing! Ha!)...

I decided to make an Ethel. She is a great pattern. For one, she is free. A great one to get your feet wet with the way their patterns are written. I still think that Coraline is a great beginner Swoon pattern as she is easier to sew together aside from the handles, read carefully. :) But the Ethel tote is lovely!

I used some fabric that was given to me by a mentor mom in MOPS. It was one in a box of beauties. I new, once I looked at it that it needed to be made into a bag.

I lined the pocket up perfectly. I love how the pattern just continues. Simple solid lining. I just used muslin, as the color matched the blues in the outer lining.

She makes me want to make more bags!

You know what's exciting?

12 of the popular bags are bundled together, the Swoon Favorites Collection for 38.95! Now, I am a math person. I like to know what I am saving if I am saving anything. The bags, if bought separately, cost about 71.40. That is a little bit less than half off! Awesome!

There is also another subscription option, Swoon Vintage Collection where you can get the next 12 patterns as they are released! How exciting is that? It's the same as the Swoon Favorites Collection cost. It was supposed to be the patterns she was going to release with a book, but the book fell through so she is doing it this way instead! The first one is already released! Swoon Vintage Collection

I love her subscription, I did the last one and loved it! I think I might be asking for this one for my birthday and mother's day! ;)

Happy Sewing!

Princess Coraline Clutches with Straps {swoon sewing patterns)

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I made a couple new Coraline Clutches (affiliate) but instead of doing the handle or the wristlet like I have done (you can see them here, here and here) I added a short strap to these. They put the clutch right at my waist, but are perfect for a little one too!

Isn't that crown one just too cute?  And, have to throw Frozen in there too considering it's still popular amongst the littles.

For the strap I cut it at about 30" and basted it to the outer shell prior to attaching the lining. The princess one is raw edge appliqued with some heat-n-bond light to hold down the crown as I stitched it in place.

These I made for an auction for my MOPS group's fundraising event at the end of the month. I found the fabrics at Wal-Mart and thought they were perfect for our "princess" themed basket that my discussion group is putting together. The two are basically reverse of each other.

Hubby asked me if I wanted to make myself a new one with a strap... Maybe just a little. ;)

Check it out! Coraline Clutch (affiliate)

Happy Sewing

A Bag for MOPs: Dorian Messenger: Swoon Sewing Patterns {Pattern Review}

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

I signed up volunteered to be a Discussion Group Leader for my local MOPs group.

Wait.. Me? I volunteered for leadership?

Ha! Yes. I did. And I needed something to carry around my DGL binder, small notebook, planner, wallet, keys and a water bottle (lets face it, that is a necessity in the desert). Totally the crafty mentality, right?

Anyway. It needed to be perfect and fit the theme, because I am a dork that way. The theme for this year is Be You Bravely and the logo is a feather. The feather symbolizes the bravery, courage and hope that come with motherhood. I love it. I love the feather, love the logo; love it.

Of course, I needed to play up the feather and found this awesome Feather Paper Pieced Pattern from Shape Moth and thought it looked awesome!

I asked the question to some of the fabulous ladies in some of the sewing groups online and they suggested the Dorian Messenger by Swoon Sewing Patterns (affiliate link). I thought it was perfect to display at least one of the feathers from Shape Moth. And, it was! I love the hodge podge of fabrics bravely placed together to create this messenger bag to use for MOPs meetings. :)

Look at that space. Gotta love my use of scrap fabric choices... Lol....

Two pockets in front, another set inside and a zipper in the back make it perfect. You can customize with extra pockets on the inside easily by adding another pocket panel and I almost added a zipper to the flap. It gives directions for 3 different closure options. I used magnetic snaps.

The only thing it needs now is the strap! How I'm going to attach it, no idea...

The directions are clear, easy to follow. I really enjoy her patterns. Swoon Sewing Patterns (affiliate link) always turn out awesome.

Happy Sewing!

GYCT Design: Lazy Day Crossover Bag {Pattern Test}

GYCT Designs (affiliate) came out with another awesome pattern, the Lazy Day Crossover. It is a great bag with lots of space! You can pick up this awesome pattern on craftsy or on Etsy. She has this awesome purse organizer, and you can get them both bundled for only 7.95 or (4.95 separately) until end of day tomorrow! Hurry! 

It is had the option for three different lengths of the strap so you can customize to your fitting.

I love the pleat in the center.

It is worn crossbody, but if you wanted to customize the length you totally could!

Check out all that space!

I have worn this bag to the library. Seriously awesome for books. I have stored some sewing projects for traveling and working. I've used it for my stuff and the baby stuff. Seriously love the bag!

Love this bag! I even made my niece the small version for her birthday; yes there is even a mini version!! :) You can make them reversible, or put a closing. It comes with directions for a zipper... So many options! :)

This bag reminds me of the 4th of July!

It is such an easy sew! So fast to put together!

Happy Sewing,

Mother's Day: A Coraline for My Mom {Swoon Sewing Patterns}

This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.

I am a fan of upcycling almost anything you can, especially when it comes to clothing. My mom gave me 2 huge plastic containers FULL of clothes. One of them is an old vest that I remember her wearing when I was growing up. One thing about the vest? It was so outdated. The fabric was cool, even if it was 20-ish years old, the buttons are fun. But the style itself? Old; not vintage, just old. 

When I went through the clothes before bringing them home my mom seemed sad to part with some of them. Why must we place sentimental value on clothes? Well, what's better than to create a use-able item from something that was once treasured? So I made my mom the Coraline Wristlet from Swoon Sewing Patterns (affiliate link). I love how it turned out!

Here is the outside. I used almost all the fabric! The little fabric I had left I pieced together for the wristlet part. I had to literally cut the different patterned fabrics apart at their seam and re-piece them together in order to get the pattern pieces to fit!

I also used a firmer interfacing. I loved the one I had received from the swap with the firmer interfacing, I wanted to use that too. I had some sew-in stabilizer left over from Halloween a few years ago that I used to make my viking corset. I just used some webbing to attach it. 

For the top zipper part I used some quilting cotton with the shape-flex. 

For the lining I used some blue crushed satin I had left over from a shirt I had made years ago (before hubby and I even met!)... I used some lightweight interfacing for that. I wanted it to maintain that flow-y feeling that satin has. It also makes it just seem so... nice... I just love it! 

I love making things for people. I think homemade gifts are the best! This one was well received and liked so much more than the vest it was originally. I loved sewing it! I wish I had taken better pics than the with the phone.. Oh well. It went strait to it's new home and I was too excited to get it there! :)

Coraline Clutch: A Swap {Swoon Sewing Patterns}

*This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission only if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

I loved sewing a bag to send to someone else! It was an amazing experience: signing up, receiving the info, trying to pick out something that you think they would like (hard since you don't really know the person), sewing up the item, then shipping. But, the anticipation of whether or not they liked it. Sending some extra goodies too... Just so much fun!

I already have some ideas for my next Swoon Sewing Patterns Coraline Clutch! :)

Here is what I sent my swap-ee...

Those handles turned out so much better than my first one! It's amazing what a little bit of practice and reading things correctly, does... (facing does not mean interfacing, HA!)...

And the goodies I sent with the bag: Butterfly zipper pull, cactus candy, post card, key ring wristlet, Arizona magnet and 2 fat quarters from my stash (not pictured).

I'm so glad she said she loves it, and enjoyed the candies too! 

Here is what I received... I love it! Super sturdy and just gorgeous!

I love the zipper pull too!

And the lining is sparkly, how awesome is that!?! The picture really doesn't do it justice. But don't you just love the contrast between the light outside and that beautiful purple inside? I do! Not to mention the outside fabric weave looks like it is covered in a lace, love it!

The whole lot..

It was an amazing experience, participating with the amazing ladies on this swap. You ask questions, you got answers. All of them were incredibly kind and offered some great feedback. If given the chance, I would totally participate again! 

Also, they are doing a sew along right now for the Eloise Wallet. Head over to Swoon Sewing Patterns and pick up the wallet, then head over to Ali Cat & CO: Day 1 Swoon Eloise Wallet Sewalong and join in on the fun! I have the pattern but debating. I don't really need a wallet yet...

Sewed Up My 1st Bag: Coraline Clutch {Swoon Patterns Swooniversary & Discount Code}

*This post contains affiliate links. All views expressed are my own.*
*Neither myself or the pattern company received anything for this review*

I have been wanting to sew up a bag for a while. I just wasn't sure where to start or what to do. If you follow me on pinterest you have probably seen my All in the Bag board where it is just all bags...

Well, I finally sewed up a bag, the Coraline Clutch from Swoon Sewing Patterns! I love it and have already started using it for a particular purpose. Grocery shopping! I keep my lists of normal purchases and average costs in this bag! Hurrah for a bag and keeping things organized! I discovered it also holds a small wipe case and a few diapers too! So I am gonna be making a couple more! ;)

The pattern is awesome! It comes with 2 sizes: 11" and 14" wide. It also has directions for a wrist strap instead of the handles. It also lends itself to alterations. I've seen some do block work on the outside shell and a full strap.

I know this is not perfect. I totally messed up the handles. But, not because the directions were hard to understand. No, it was all user error. I sewed this up in a series of late nights after multiple days of with lack of sleep. Once I saw my mistake it was a total *facepalm*! Despite my error, I think it doesn't look too bad (aside from the over topstitching in white). 

This size was the large 14" wide one. Perfect for the cash envelope, coupons, shopping lists and everything I bring with me when I am grocery shopping. I am an avid ad matching, grocery shopper. I am not much of a coupon-er, mostly cause I don't buy a lot of what the coupons are offered for and what they are offered for, I usually buy at Costco anyway.

While I was out yesterday, grocery shopping with my new grocery shopping bag, I received several compliments. Yay! I cannot wait to make more!

I will be sewing another up soon to send out for the swap going on right now. I will share it with you once I can and will share what I receive. So excited! Love it!

There will be a sew along going on starting the 24th for the Eloise wallet! A cute wallet and goodness knows I am in need of a new one. 

Also, it is the anniversary of the start up Swoon Sewing Patterns and they are having a 25% off discount at the website if you use the code swooniversary (until 2/20/2014) at checkout! Awesome! I plan on making the Dottie, stella and laptop bag! So many great bags!  * discount has ended*

Head on over to Swoon Sewing Patterns and check them out. They are also having a giveaway too! *giveaway is over*

linking up