Marsha

Adult enrichment and empowerment

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / A new (to me) designer and a giveaway!

A new (to me) designer and a giveaway!

by

I love happy coincidences, and I have one to share with you now! I was searching Etsy (I forget what I was looking for) and found a purse made with a pattern I didn’t recognize, so I did some more searching and discovered the Blue Calla Sewing Patterns shop. I was so pleased with what I found. So many great patterns! The bonus is that Celine of Blue Calla is in Canada, so her shop fits perfectly with my goal to share Canadian sewing sources; of course, these are PDFs, so anyone worldwide can easily purchase the patterns. I immediately was drawn to the Zinnia Zippered Panel Bag and had to sew one up myself. Here’s mine:
Blue Calla Zinnia Zippered Panel Bag

I knew immediately which fabrics I would use for the bag. The centre panel is perfect for a FQ of a special print you want to showcase. I chose Utopia by Frances Newcombe from Art Gallery Fabrics; the centre is Paradise Dwellers in Vivid, fromStay Home Fabrics, and the coordinating print is Orni Incandescence, from Fabric Spark. I decided to try vinyl for the first time with this bag, and I like the finished look, but it was certainly not as easy to work with as natural fibres. I was also happy to have my By Annie’s Zippers by the Yard from Stitch in the Ditch so I could choose the perfect colour for the zipper pull. The pattern includes interfacing suggestions, but I just used what I had on hand, so my bag has craft fuse and fusible fleece on the lining, and for the pleated panels, I used Shapeflex 101, and finally craft fuse on the centre panel.  The Zinnia pattern has a recessed zippered closure, and a zippered interior pocket, plus a large interior slip pocket. The pattern also has a few options: you can do a longer single cross body strap, or 2 shorter handles, with detailed instructions for both options. The other option available is that you can have the main panels of the bag continue to the bottom, without a separate contrasting strip like the option I chose. As in the listing description, this particular pattern is not recommended for beginners, and I would agree. I even had a few questions, but I was very impressed that Celine responded right away, and even made a couple changes to the pattern to clarify the points I brought up. With all the different options in this PDF pattern, it’s a great value.  I really love the functionality of this bag, with its great size and zippered top, and the pleats add such an elegant touch. 

Each pattern has the recommended sewing experience level in the listing. Here are some more great patterns:

Blue Calla Begonia Convertible Bag

Begonia Convertible Bag
Blue Calla Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag

Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag
Blue Calla Thistle Pocket Tote

Thistle Pocket Tote

Now for the giveaway:

Celine has generously offered a free pattern to one lucky reader: any pattern in her shop, winner’s choice! To enter, all you have to do is comment below with which pattern is your favourite. Check out Blue Calla Sewing Patterns to see them all. Good luck! Contest closes Friday March 6, 2015 at 1:00 pm 

Bonus entries for following me on Instagram and Pinterest, just leave a separate comment for each letting me know.

Instagram


Comments

  1. Lisa says

    I love the thistle pocket tote! My eye is immediately drawn to that one 🙂 Hooray for more Canadian pattern designers to add to my list 🙂

  4. michelle tripp says

    i can’t decide between Iris and Camellia…..and frankly they are all so nice…..Reece, we should add her to the CSG, no?

  13. Rosanna says

    I have done camellia and love it so much. The Irish convertible Shoulder bag is so beautiful 🙂

  17. debbie says

    I like them all but if I had to pick I would pick the convertible bag. Thanks for the great giveaway. I’ve also shared your giveaway on my Giveaway List for sewers & quilters at wowilikethat.com. Thanks again.

  28. Jean says

    My favorites are the Zinnia zipper panel bag and the Peony pocket bag. Love supporting Canadian designers!!

  39. rachel says

    Begonia Convertible Bag is my favorite. I’m a big fan of small bags. Thanks for the chance to win!

  40. Bekki says

    I’ve been eyeing the magnolia mini messenger for a while. It’s such a handy size.

  42. Lori Morton says

    Is a Tie between the “The Poppy Patchwork Tote Bag” & “Thistle Pocket Tote”!!! LOOOVE them both! 🙂 & have to say…also Love the “Tulips Pillow Cover”! lol

  63. Trish F says

    Hello, I would love to try my hand at the The Camellia Cross Body Bag. Thanks for a great giveaway!

  66. Hidehi says

    Loving the Camellia crossbody bag! Would love to make this. Haven’t come across Blue Calla before, but so glad I have now!!

  79. Laura Downs says

    I really like the Zinnia zippered pocket pattern. Added as a favorite seller on Etsy!

  80. Beverley Power says

    I’m probably too late to the party, as I only just found your post…
    I’d choose the Camillia cross body bag. Looks very pretty!