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Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Present Perfect

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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 yours truly.

Present Perfect - jacket art

 

Hey everyone! Today I’m reviewing a bag pattern from the new book Present Perfect by Betz White. You can find the book in hard copy and in ebook form on the Interweave or Amazon websites. This book is full of beautiful projects that would be great to make for friends or loved ones for any holiday or swap event. There’s 25 projects in the book, which is a great bang for your buck. My favorite project is the Pasha Pleated Clutch, which is featured on the cover of the book – what a great way to give a clutch a bit of pizzazz!

Present Perfect - Wool Courier Bag beauty shot

 

Last year, I pattern tested the Wool Courier Bag from the book (book image is pictured above). It’s great to see a pattern that is specifically written to be made with wool! It was my first time using this substrate, and I used a wonderful bright plaid.

Materials – The supplies needed to make this bag is 1/2 yard wool for the exterior of the bag, 1/2 yard of wool for the flap and accents, and 1/2 yard of wool for the lining. Additionally, you’ll need a woven interfacing (like Pellon SF-101 Shape Flex) and fusible fleece, along with a small amount of heavy-duty interfacing (Pellon Peltex). The hardware for the bag includes a magnetic snap, metal rectangle rings, and a slider buckle (to make the strap adjustable). All manageable supplies, in my opinion!

Pattern Pieces -There were several pattern pieces needed to make the bag, which are all included in the back of the book in a handy pattern sleeve.

Instructions/Illustrations – although I made this bag quite some time ago, I did not have any problem with the instructions (and in fact, because I was testing the pattern, I had text-only instructions to work from). There are several lovely illustrations in the book for some key steps (4 steps are illustrated). The instructions were easy to understand, and perhaps are for a confident beginning or intermediate sewist.

I enjoyed that Betz mentioned that you can use the wool from a thrifted suit to make this bag. What a cheap and easy way to find fabric for your project!

I did not make any modifications when sewing this bag. It was a fun and relatively quick project!

in 002

 

And here’s a quick look at some of the other projects in the book. They are all fun and accessible for any level of sewist. I appreciated the fact that most were quick sews, which is sometimes important when you are trying to quickly assemble a gift (which can sometimes turn into a bit of a crunch around the holidays especially!). There are accessories, gifts for children, and gifts for the home, so everyone will be covered!

 

betz

 

Betz is teaching this beautiful Bee pillow at QuiltCon in February. Isn’t it gorgeous! I’d love to be able to make something as intricate as this!

 

betz1

And finally, one last project from the book that I love. I can just see this adorable Hexie the Turtle floor pillow made in some Tula Pink Prince Charming fabrics (the turtle print from that line is one of my favorites).

betz2

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some projects from the book, as well as my wool bag! If you like Present Perfect, be sure to check it out! Thanks to all of my readers for their support of Purse Palooza this year, it’s been so fun reading all of the comments on the pattern reviews so far!

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10 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Present Perfect

  1. Vera says:

    Cool projects.

  2. lucilledupuis says:

    Love the plaid matching! Well done. That sort of care real makes the bag and the experience.

  3. Christina says:

    What a cute book with lots of fun projects! Would love to sew a wool purse , looks so comfy!

  4. Christine says:

    I love YOUR wool fabric choices! way to be out there!

  5. Melissa says:

    I love The wool you used! Where did you did you find it?

  6. kathyh says:

    I need to make that bee pillow

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