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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Just For You

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This post is part of Purse Palooza. For contest rules, full details, and schedule, please click here! Today’s post is from Caroline of Sew Can She.

Hi Sew Sweetness fans! This is Caroline from SewCanShe.com. I’m so excited that Sara invited me to review a bag pattern for Purse Palooza. Purses and tote bags are some of my favorite projects so I look forward to the Purse Palooza inspiration every year.

I decided to make the Sweetly Gathered Round Handbag – a soft and drapey tote designed by Delia Randall of deliacreates.com.  It’s found in my new book Just For You. More about the book is at the end of this post.

This tote is super fast to make because it has no interfacing. Gasp! I know, don’t tell that to Sara, lol! Her bags are all beautifully stabilized. But in this design, it really works. And it cuts your time in half. Since you won’t use interfacing, I suggest upholstery weight fabric. There are so many beautiful choices. I used an actual curtain panel that I found on clearance a couple years ago. It had been waiting in my stash for this project, I think.

You’ll need 3/4 yard of fabric for the exterior and 1 yard for the interior and pockets.

The bag also features soft and comfy handles that you make yourself using faux leather (vinyl) and upholstery cording. It’s an extremely affordable alternative to expensive leather handles. I’ve made these handles quite a few times and the process is doable on just about any sewing machine. The trick is using a needle made for leather.

Only a little bit of vinyl is needed for the handles. If you’ve got long scraps, then you have enough already.

Of course, you can purchase ready-made handles to use if you wish.

I only made one design change to the pattern. I moved this zipper pocket from the lining to the exterior. My lime green zipper looked so awesome with the green handles, I couldn’t hide it on the inside.

There is still a pocket on the interior to hold my phone, pens, etc.

The pattern for Delia’s Sweetly Gathered Round Handbag is included in Just For You, a book I co-authored for C&T Publishing. Right now you can get the Kindle version on Amazon that includes all 24 designs and patterns for only $9.99. Now that’s a bargain bundle!

Happy sewing,

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8 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Just For You

  1. Shelly says:

    Love the lime green!! Cute!

  2. Carrie says:

    I really like it. Trying to imagine the process for the handles, and what kind of needle you need for leather-work. Great looking color/fabric choices.

    1. Caroline says:

      The process is explained clearly in the book, it’s really not hard. And just look for ‘leather’ needles. I bought mine at Joanns. 🙂 Thanks for asking!

  3. Susie says:

    Cute purse! I like its shape!

  4. Lindsey says:

    I LOOOOOVE that you used a very durable handle… that’s my issue with making hand-sewn bags… but does the bag fabric tend to bunch at the bottom of the handle?

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