Introducing… Arm Candy!

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Erin Erickson | 10 Comments

ArmCandyCoverI know I’ve been teasing you for weeks on Instagram and Facebook, but I just had to get it right. I can finally, confidently, present Arm Candy. (Thank you Mindy for the name! Bob wanted to call it The Quickie. We are NOT calling it The Quickie!)

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When I started Date Night, I knew we’d actually need two “date night” purses – one more casual and one for special occasions. One thing that stresses me out is feeling unprepared, so it’s hard for me to carry a small purse. Date Night is still big enough for all the essentials, and I feel like Arm Candy is also big enough to carry the most important things while still being a special occasion purse. It’s kind of half way between a purse and wristlet. I’ve had “not-a-wristlet” written on my to-do list for years, and that’s what I wanted this to be.

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Phone, Wallet, Keys, Lipstick, Brush, Compact still with  a tiny of bit extra room

I made the first one in the middle of zipper-fail with Date Night, and while I didn’t love the top zip, I loved the curvy shape. After another revision I changed the top zip to a recessed zip, but I kept the darts. Not only are they curvy so you don’t get the pointy, boxy effect I see on so many purses with darts, but I’ve added a trick to the pattern to eliminate the bulk behind the darts so you can nest them perfectly and they kind of disappear into the bag.

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I love the flirty shape and the versatility. I’d only posted a couple versions on Instagram when my friend Jess insisted she must make a wristlet version. She made me email her the pattern pieces. I hadn’t written a word of text at that point, as I usually don’t until I’m happy with my final prototype, but she demanded everything I had. Without instructions, she made this superhero wristlet:

@jessmakes on IG

And the wristlet version was meant to be. I had these Kokka robots and spaceships on my shelf and realized they also NEEDED to be a wristlet. I was struggling with the top strap (I eventually re-wrote the pattern to make it easier), so on the floral one I added two straps instead, and again loved it so much that I decided all three options needed to be included.

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So I wrote yet another set of instructions for my should-be-patented continuous wristlet strap and made another sample to pin down placement for the two straps. One additional sample turned into three, in this gorgeous Moda fabric – Social Club by Cosmo Cricket.

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I lost track but I think in total I made 15. Can we say excessive? But this is a new-ish zip technique and I’ve never done darts before, and it’s so small that it has to be very precise. I will say that they get super easy once you make a couple. With only three pattern pieces, these are cut out quickly and sew up almost as fast.

I have so many more samples to share, and tons of amazing pattern tester examples, but I have exactly two weeks before I’m on a plane to Bob for the rest of September and October, so I need to make sure I’m ready to go! It’s faster for me to update Instagram and Facebook so if you’re dying to see more, pop over and see what everyone is making!

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ARM CANDY IS ON SALE until September 15th for $10. I debated about the price but I want this one to be an easy decision for you. You need this bag. Make it a purse. Make it a wristlet. Make it in a couple of hours. Stash bust (it’s fat quarter friendly!) Have fun with darts! Use up your shorter zips! (I used purse zips for the pattern writing but plenty of standard zips for the samples and on this one, I give you permission!)

I’ve spent the last 3 weeks sewing, so I should be PACKING, and YOU should be sewing!

<3

Erin

Categories : Sewing
Comments (10)

Comments

  2. So cute!! Thanks for all the hard work you put into your patterns to make them ‘just right’! It sure pays off!

    Reply

  3. Erin,

    You write the best patterns! They are always so easy to read, with lots of wonderful photos and precise instructions. I love making them.

    This one looks perfect for my niece! I love it and I think she will too. Thanks again for a great pattern.

    Reply

  5. Erin,

    Your latest purse is brilliant! I thank you very much for the opportunity to test it.

    Seriously the only problem I had was that I failed to read the directions and skipped ahead.

    The zipper installation is brilliant. The zig zag dart seam on the foam; innovative.

    Your directions suggest using the 1/4 inch guide presser foot. Of course! So well it just seemed logical to start using all those weird feet I own on the purse also. The stitch in the ditch for topstitching and the overcast foot with needle on the left for basting.

    It’s the most perfect purse I’ve ever made.

    I took it out to show off and well needless to say I didn’t get any of the sheepish “did you make that?” It was more like “YOU MADE THAT? It’s so professional!”

    I’ve got 2 more in the make. Then I’m trying out the Get Carded and The Essential Wristlet.

    Thanks again

    Reply

  7. I just purchased it and it’s such a cute size! I just bought a bunch of 14″ zips at my LQS so I’m ready to start making these for Christmas…after I complete my first Daytripper that I’ve been trying to get to for months!

    This would be such a cute matching set with a Get Carded wallet! It’s also a good way to use up some S&S pieces!

    Thanks, like always, for going above and beyond for us!!! :-)

    Reply

  9. I think “Date Night” and “The Quickie” would have been the perfect combo! ‘Cause, you know, you still gotta work in the morning ;)

    Love the pattern!

    Reply

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