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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: While Baby Naps Day Clutch (and a giveaway!!)

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2012.
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!

Jen from BettyCrockerAss is a prolific quilter. You can find some of her latest quilting projects on her left-hand sidebar. She also made the quilt and some clothes that was in Melody Miller’s booth at Quilt Market! How cool is that?!?

Hi all! I was so excited when Sara asked me to be part of her Purse Palooza 2012. I knew right away that I wanted to review the Day Clutch by While Baby Naps. I’d made it a few times before and really wanted to share with all of you how great it is.

I ending up buying the 2 tutorials with 6 patterns. The tutorials are really easy to read with tons of great photo’s. She also teaches you to make your own pattern which is usefully if you are using a vintage metal frame.

I bought her frames and I love them! They are different because the channel (where you put the fabric in the frame) is narrow. No rope require! It’s snug and so easy to do.

You’re simply taking this, and glueing it into the metal frame.

::Fabric and Interfacing::
If you buy the kit she offers, there is interfacing that comes with it. If you don’t, you can find/use any weight that you like. If you use a heavy weight canvas, you don’t need anything too thick. If you use lightweight fabric then you’d need something heavier to give it the body needed. This is all explained within the pattern!

I chose Japanese heavy weight linen/cotton for the out sides and regular quilting cotton for the insides. On this one, I used medium weight fusible fleece

This one, I used batting (Warm and White) and did a simple straight line quilting on the out side.

::Illustrations and Instructions::
As someone who’s not great at following instructions, I felt these were good. There are plenty of photo’s to help you along the way. But really, you need to read them. The first purse I did a year ago, I didn’t get the seam allowance right and it was all messy. She’s got so many tips that will help you be successful. SO READ!

::Modifications::
The most modifications I did centered around the shape of the bag. Even though I followed the directions exactly, my bag didn’t come out shaped like the bag shown on the pattern.

See how it’s shaped more like an “A”. This can be fixed by simply boxing my corner more. However, I didn’t notice this until the end.

Luckily, I was making this at my Portland Modern Quilt Guild monthly sew day where my friend Kim suggested that I just poke in the corners and tack it down!


 I like it so much better now. For me the shape is much more appealing!

That got me thinking-or maybe it was Megan who got me thinking? What if I made the shape that I didn’t like into a feature of the bag?

So instead of boxing the corners on the out side of the bag, I left them.

And then added some awesome wooden buttons…

A whole new way to look at making a metal framed purse!

Now, the good part and your reward for reading through my review! Just leave a comment on my blog-www.bettycrockerass.com and let me know what your favorite thing you are sewing this summer! I’ll pick a winner on Monday June 25th-you’ll get to pick what bag you want!

Have fun sewing and remember, sewing is easy, what’s hard is making it look good!

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20 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review: While Baby Naps Day Clutch (and a giveaway!!)

  1. chloeandme says:

    Those bags are adorable! Love the tucked corner with button. I am working on a crochet bag that is taking forever but I really like the pattern. I am also working on a knitted baby sweater..I need to get sewing! [email protected]

  2. I really like the button…what a cute addition.

  3. Can’t say it’s my favorite, but the only sewing plans I have are to make curtains for my little girl’s room.

  4. Patti Shanks says:

    Fabulous idea to add the buttons! I’m working on a quilt that has been in the works for a while.

  5. Ali says:

    Oh those are really adorable! I’m working on some quilts but I’m most excited about the replacement shower curtain I’m making, as I’ve yet to make anything really “useful”

  6. hueisei says:

    Love the button idea

  7. Nadine says:

    Wow, what a great idea. I will have to try that. Thanks for the inspirations. I am currently working on so many different projects. I am making myself a nice flat tote bag for our trip to Berlin and cheap as we are we are only taking hand luggage so I can’t take my usual handbag. Hence the need for a flat bag that can go in the carry on. But also working on bunting and baby quilts and want to start on Christmas projects. So much to do and so little time.

  8. Mie says:

    So cute with the button on the purse. I’m working on finishing a quilt for my dad and am also going to sew some bucket hats for my nieces. Have lots of projects and so little time! 🙂

  9. **nicke... says:

    the buttons… oh my gracious the buttons! xo

  10. Meg says:

    I am making my first dress! 😀

  11. Wanda says:

    I really like the tucked in corners. I am making two argyle baby quilts (one pink, one blue) that I found online at Moda.

  12. Lindsey Lim says:

    Looks great! Love the fabric choice. I will be making pillows out of fabric with bright red and white stripes to add some color into the living room.

  13. I also love the button idea. Very cute. This summer I’m working on a beautiful floral and paisley applique quilt called Graceful Rhapsody by Denise Sheehan. I’m trying to finish it by my guild’s quilt show in October.

  14. Karen says:

    Really like the button idea. Adds just the right touch. I am working on a couple of different quilts right now. Hoping to get one done as a thank you to some friends who take my daughter on vacation with them.

  15. sandyb says:

    Love the button! I have many projects but I am making a memory quilt for my Dad to remember my stepmom from her favorite sweatshirts.

    [email protected]

  16. Victoria says:

    Found some awesome Thomas the Train fabric that I’m going to make into a bedspread for my son. Thanks for the cool giveaway. vmorenojackson at yahoo dot com

  17. Thank you to Jen @ BettyCrockerAss for this wonderful review of my tutorial! Since the post, I’ve updated the tutorial with bigger cuts off the corners to make a fuller clutch with less of an “A” shape as Jen mentioned. Thanks, Sara, for the purse palooza!

  18. SewSealy says:

    Hi Jen,

    Can you tell me what size frame you used? I am just about to order some and cannot decide on which size to get. I thought I would get two or three sizes. I’m debating if I should get the 3″, 6″, and 8″ or if I should go up to the 10″ and take one of those others out. Big decisions. hahahahah Did you like the size you got or did you wish it were bigger/smaller. Also, was this more of a little cosmetic size or could you have used it for a purse?

    Anxiously awaiting your response….
    thank yoU! By the way, Yours were soooooooo cute!

  19. chicastic says:

    How you had attached this metal frame with the cloth..? I mean by needle or any glue stick or something else..?

    Designer Inspired Clutches

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