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Introducing Spring Fling! + Tester Photos!

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Erin Erickson | 5 Comments

 

Here it is, Spring Fling! Your perfect spring bag!! 

 
We have gone from three feet of snow in April to t-shirts and flip flops in just a matter of days. I was so excited to get out and photograph the new bag with flowers and sunny skies! 

The background story behind this bag is short and sweet. I needed a purse for an overnight trip to Chicago to attend my cousin’s bridal shower. With what’s left of my life in storage, I had only a large Encore clutch that was even close to what I wanted, but it was in a novelty print and was a bit small to use for the whole weekend. There had been a recent discussion in the Facebook group about enlarging the Encore Clutch and adding a second tab and a cross-body strap,  but I find that style difficult to use one handed and a bit awkward with the side tabs. Plus, a cross body bag wasn’t going to work with my dress. So with a whole 24 hours left before I needed to be in the car, I had plenty of time to draft a whole new purse!


The Encore Clutch was stuck in my head because those pleats are FAST. I had to make this in just a few hours. So I borrowed that feature and added it to a new curvy shape with a top zip. Thankfully I already knew HOW to do the top zip thanks to Date Night, but I think you’ll find I simplified it here as much as possible. I also found a way to stitch it (no hand basting) so you’re less likely to end up with a wavy zipper. 

The unexpected benefit of the timing of this bag for me is that since Emmett is in daycare more I am finding myself out alone, with no diaper bag, and this bag is perfect for JUST my stuff. I used to carry a packed Daytripper with me everywhere, but I’ve had 2.5 years to adjust to limiting *my* stuff to a small pocket in Emmett’s bag. Once I transferred it, I found I even had extra space! It’s better for my back to carry less anyway, so I’m thrilled! 

After the twelve different combinations of options in the Flip Flop Wallet, this bag only has one “option” – you can choose a fixed length strap or a cross body strap. 


That gave me some space in the pattern to write the instructions for a “clean finish” version of the inside zippered pocket which hides the edges of the zipper tape.

Now, for nearly the entire point of this post – to show off the pattern tester photos! I’m so impressed, I don’t even know what to say. These are just brilliant!!

First up is Lindsay from LindsHandmade (Facebook • Instagram) These are incredible. She is so talented and was able to make a few minor mods to create this piece of artwork from leather and canvas. I am basically speechless. Just wow!


 
Next is Emmett’s biggest fan, Candy, aka Grandma G. (Blog • Instagram) This is a Japanese canvas that is the perfect weight! 


Then we have Kay, who always doubts herself and then ends up with a fabulous bag. Once again she made TWO! I love them both equally!! I’m about to make a patchwork one so I hope it looks this good. :)


Margareth (Instagram) from Maggie Made Bags made little companion Encore Clutch in the small size. The pink just screams spring! 

 
 Line’s is super fun in purple (with a yellow zipper pull!)

Sharon’s (Instagram • Etsy) is stunning with this unique feature panel. 


 
Carrie made two of them! And she added a pocket. :)

Karen (Facebook • Etsy) used heat transfer vinyl to add some shimmer to hers!


Cara (Facebook • Etsy) shows off these llamas on a plain background. I love that you only need to use a small square of precious fabric for the feature panel.

 
Judi (Facebook) didn’t want to wait for hardware so she improvised and skipped the rings and strap tabs and just made a 27″ strap. Brilliant!

Susan (Instagram) also added pockets! 


Bree (Instagram) tried using a magnetic snap. She doesn’t recommend this. :P But her daughter loved it and that’s all that matters!

Darcy (Instagram • Etsy) couldn’t wait to make this after I posted it on Instagram so I had to add her to testing so she could make it sooner!

 
Janet (Instagram) also jumped in to make this one that screams spring in waxed canvas and cork!


Once again thank you to all of my amazing testers and I hope all of you really enjoy the new pattern! You will find the Spring Fling PDF Pattern right here!

Categories : PDF Patterns, Spring Fling
Comments (5)

Comments

  1. Grandma G says:
    May 16, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    Reading through this post brings back lots of good (recent) memories! Not only was it fun discussing the pattern and seeing all the fabulous bags by the other testers, it was super fun sewing from this pattern! It was easy, and it turned out a simple yet elegant bag. I love mine and hope I have occasion to make another.

    I felt privileged once again to test for DUMD! And yes, that Kay… she outdoes herself every time! 😄

    Reply
  2. Sue says:
    May 16, 2018 at 3:08 PM

    All are so cute. Love the design, too.

    Reply
  3. Josh says:
    June 13, 2018 at 6:31 AM

    I love to use classy handbags. I can change my bag every day that can be matched according to my clothes. Already I have 80+ handbag collection. I love the Gray and Sky one. How can I get these bags?

    Reply
  4. Pam Worley says:
    July 12, 2018 at 10:19 AM

    I have made several of your patterns and they have come out very nicely.

    I am a very experienced seamstress– I’ve been sewing since I was 10 and am now 70. Some of your purses have been made to sell at a few craft shows with my sister who also sews.

    That being said, I want to comment that your zippers and notched handbag tops are tedious and time consuming to sew. They turn out nicely but the hours spent can’t be recouped or justified with purse pricing. I would like to see some simpler construction that could be quicker to sew and that would not run up the labor for a purse that is going to be sold.

    I have made your saddle bag and spring fling designs with the craft market in mind. I made your diaper bag design for a family member gift and decided it was way too complex to be feasible for the craft market. I made your get carded design and decided early in the process that it too would not fetch enough money to justify the price for the size of the wallet.

    So my request is that you design some purses with selling at craft shows in mind. I like your designs but the construction techniques are very complicated and time consuming.

    Thank you for reading.

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      July 12, 2018 at 1:36 PM

      Hi Pam! I appreciate what you are saying and I always do keep in mind those who sew and sell, but I try to find a balance between fast to sew and a professional finish. I actually tried to make this very fast to sew in other ways – it only has one main pattern piece (the panel is not pieced!) and it’s small and doesn’t have very many pieces to cut out.

      When I create a design that does not have a completely secure top zipper (like the Sunrise Saddle Bag), I am asked almost daily to add one. Zippers are always time consuming when done properly but they seem to be the preference for most of my customers.

      There are many people who sew several of my designs to sell, this one included. However the most popular for sewing at craft fairs are the Two Zip Hipster, the Zip and Go, either of the wristlet patterns, the BOTI drawstring backpack, and the Outta Time Tote. I have also seen the Takeoff Tote sized down to a purse size and with a straight across the top zipper you may find that one to be faster. Someone also suggested recently that the Quick Zip Lunch Bag in the larger size makes a cute purse. Hopefully one of those will suit your needs until I can design a few more! :)

      Reply

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