Soft handles for the Paris Purse

One of my lovely pattern testers, Pia Jestin whos beautiful works can be found here on Instagram decided that she wanted softer handles for her Paris Purse, so here's her tutorial for making Pia's Soft Paris Purse Handles. As you can see in the photo, this will give you a small section of padding outside the frames to make the handles a little softer to hold. Here is her pretty Paris Purse:

Cutting Instructions:
4 ✂ 1/2" x 4 3/4" of your heavy fusible interfacing.
2 ✂ 1" x 5 1/2" of your exterior fabric.

Instructions:

1. For the female part of the frame (with the opening), take two of your heavy interfacing pieces, in the middle of each, cut away a 5/8" x 1/4" big rectangle like in the photo . Fuse them centered to one of your fabric pieces like in the photo with a small, scant 1/8" opening between the two in the middle to allow for folding.

2. Make 1/4" long cuts in the fabric next to your heavy interfacing in the middle to allow you to fold up the fabric around the interfacing like in the photo, glue in place.

3. Fold up the short ends of your fabric over your interfacing and glue in place.

4. Fold in half lengthwise and insert into your frame. The little fold we made will allow the lock to be inserted without seeing any raw interfacing. 

5. Insert into the frame and screw in place. The padding will extend slightly below the frame to allow for a softer grip.

6. For the your male part of the frame, just place your interfacing without cutting out the middle like in step 1. Skip step 2 and just fold in the short fabric ends over the interfacing and glue in place like in step 3.

7. Fold the whole piece in half lengthwise to get the result in the photo. Cut out a little section in the middle to make room for the lock (no need to make the fancier covered openings here as it'll never be seen anyway). Insert and screw in place.

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 ♥ Thanks a lot Pia for sharing this with us, it's much appreciated!! ♥ 

Where to buy the Paris Purse & Bergen Bag frames

To make the Paris Purse or the Bergen Bag you need a special frame that's 7 1/2" (19cm) long. These are becoming more and more common but can still be a little tricky to locate. Here's a small list of where to find them.

United States: 
Sew Deja Vu - Silver, Brass, Gunmetal, Gold, Embossed
MeiMeiSupplies on Etsy - Gunmetal - Has more colors in store
YeahShop via Amazon - Brass

Sew Many Creations - Many colors, embossed and plain

Canada: 
Emmalinebags - Silver, Brass, Gunmetal, Gold, Rose Gold
Luxcrafter on Etsy - Silver - Has more colors in store
Bringberry - Silver, Brass, Gunmetal, Light gold

United Kingdom:

Sewhot - Gold and rose gold embossed
Amazon.co.uk

Belgium

Serialbagmakers - All colors, unique design

Australia: 
Voodoo Rabbit - Gunmetal - Also has Silver, Brass, Gold in store

Sweden: 
Borlänge Sycentrum - Silver - Also has Gold & Gunmetal
Textilia - Silver, Brass, Gunmetal
Made By Lullan - All colors

Asia: 
Handmadesgarden on Etsy - Brass - Has more colors in store
Lacecrafted on Etsy - Silver, Brass, Gunmetal
STK e-Shop via Amazon - Silver

A beginners guide to double cap rivets & wristlet straps

Many budding bagineers (love that word!) are terrified of rivets before they've even tried them (so was I!) and some after having made a few failed attempts where the rivets come in wonky or bent - swear to never use them again. Which is why I saw the need for:

A beginners guide to double cap rivets

First and foremost you need the right tools for the job, something to make a hole for your rivets with like a hole punch or hole making pliers, a suitably sized rivet setter, a slightly curved anvil and a hammer. You actually don't need anymore expensive tools than this to set rivets prettily.

After having gathered your tools, you need to choose the right rivet for the job, and here this comes down to the length of the post of the rivet mainly.  Many people whom have tried using rivets and failed, have done so due to using a rivet with too long a post for the job. Resulting in bent posts and wonky looking rivets.

These three sizes where the ones I considered for my strap. As you can see, they only really differ in length with 1/16th of an inch generally, however, it makes all the difference!

Line up your possible rivet choices and take the part of the bag you're going to rivet, in my case that is a wristlet strap for a glitter vinyl Bring the Basics Bag. I made this strap exactly like in the pattern but made it about 16" long due to the raw edges when using vinyl and this method.

I fold up the fabric like it will be when I set the rivet and use this to measure out how long my rivet post needs to be, press your fabric together firmly when measuring as that's how it will be once we set the rivet. Like in the photo, the tip of the rivet should only precisely be sticking out. So for this job, the 3/8" long post was the right one to use, however I only rarely get to use such long rivets, the smallest post (4mm) is the one I use most often.

Next we make holes for our rivets, use your favorite tool, I'm making a strap so I threaded on my swivel snap hook and placed a hole 1/4" from the edge the strap, I knew I wanted my swivel snap hook 1" in from the edge so the next hole was made 1 3/4" from the end of the strap to get them at the same distance. Thread on your swivel snap hook.

Next I made the hole on the other end of the strap, this one will be placed between these two in the fold like in the second photo so this last hole was placed about 3/8" from the other end.

Next put your single hole end in between the two holes one each side of your snap hook and push through the rivet. This shouldn't be super easy, then the post is too long! Push it up and through like in the photo and then press on the little cap part of the rivet. Press until you hear/feel a click and the rivet cap stays in place without you holding it.

On the floor or table place your cutting mat (will absorb impact and protect the surface) and on top of it your little anvil. Place your rivet in the anvil and on top of it place your rivet setter. If you're working with rivets with a sensitive finish such as gold, gunmetal rivets or similar I recommend that you place a piece of scrap vinyl, foam or similar over and under it to ensure you don't accidentally scratch the rivet when you set it.  

Firmly and decisively (but not too forcefully!) tap the rivet setter with the hammer to permanently set the rivet. It's actually this easy! Just pick the right size rivet with a correct size post and you don't risk those bent and wonky rivets! If you feel uncertain about the amount of force to use, try it a few times on a folded up scrap. 

Voila! One very pretty wrist strap!

Thank you all!

EDIT 31/10: Thanks to the lovely, overwhelming response I'm closing the applications a few days early, my sincere thanks to all whom has applied. To those I haven't had time to get back to yet, please know I'm reading and considering all applications, and I will get back to everyone.

Thanks again!

===================

I'm currently looking for both English and Swedish speaking pattern testers, mainly right now for my Paris Purse, so intermediate and up sewists in particular. But also for future patterns - so please read on!

What is a pattern tester you ask? A pattern tester is someone who is involved in reading, lightly editing, and sewing up a bag before the pattern is released. A pattern is not ready to be released until after they are tested by a number of sewists/bag makers. Pattern testers are an incredibly important part of the pattern writing process. As a group my awesome pattern testers are able to give the me a unique perspective on the pattern, catch any errors and can generate helpful feedback! You also get to sew my new releases before anyone else ;)

We work mostly through my Facebook group to which you will get an invite once accepted, I post when I have a new pattern in need of testing, a post with photos, description of bag and the skills and hardware needed to complete it along with a deadline for the test and photography of the bag. And then you just comment on the post if you wish to test that particular pattern =)

Are you interested in being a pattern tester, please ask yourself the following before submitting an application:

* Do you have the time? You will be given a specific time frame to for testing (usually 2-3 weeks).  Many patterns are being released on a deadline, so it is important to be sure that you have the time to commit before you agree to test. You absolutely don't have to test each and everyone of my patterns if you become a pattern tester, however, participating in a couple of tests/year is good.

* Do you have the ability to sew something less than perfect – this is important because, believe it or not, even experienced designers can mess up the numbers, write the wrong one or otherwise mess stuff up. And like when in this case, the pattern designer sometimes is very blonde, it's bound to happen. ;)  It is important to sit down and take a look at some numbers to make sure that they make sense before you start. Remember, the pattern hasn’t been published yet for a reason!

* Do you have a willingness to read slowly and carefully as you go through the pattern to look for typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in wording. As English isn't my first language, help with grammar, spelling and wording is extra important for me. And for my Swedish pattern testers, as I work in English most of the time the wto languages does get mixed up for me so help with, grammar, wording and spelling in Swedish is much needed too. Nitpicking is something I very much appreciate I love grammar nazis in my testers!

* Do you have some way to make notes as you work, and an ability to share those notes – whether you send the information in an email body, as an word document, or a scanned/photographed image of your written notes on the printed pattern.

* Do you have the time to photograph your bag after finishing it and are you willing to let me use such photos in blog posts, social media and promotional material, always with full credit of course! You will receive 2 of my finished patterns as a thank you for each test you make.

Does this sound like it might be for You? 
If so, please email me a filled in application below to: Maria AT pinkponydesign DOT com

Pattern Tester Application, to be me at hand before 5th of November.

1. Name and any social media/blog.

2. Native language (interested in testing the pattern in Swedish or English, or both).

3. Bag sewing experience (how long have you been sewing and how experienced are you with sewing bags). Please attach some photos of bags or such you've sewn. 

4. Are you/have you been a tester before? Why do you think you'd make a good tester?

5. Will you be able to give honest feedback, even when such feedback is negative? 

6. Are you able to test the Paris Purse within the next 3 weeks? You will need a bag frame from one of the places in the link places and a very stable interfacing such as Fast 2 Fuse heavy or Pellon Peltex: https://www.serialbagmakers.com/rozy/#more-119

Thank you all for considering! 

New Bring the Basics Bag pattern!

I'm super excited to re-release my very first pattern, the Bring the Basics Bag! It was my first, commercial pattern released over 2 years ago and a lot has happened since then. The new version of this pattern comes in TWO SIZES, so the large version will fit your iPhone plus!

Pattern is available in English and Swedish HERE.
If you've bought the pattern previously, just drop me an email with your purchase confirmation email included and I'll send you the new version for free =)

The Bring the Basics Bag is a very handy design, and it's quick and really fun to make! It came to be as really all my bags really where to heavy and warm to lug around in +40C temperatures here in Malta during the summer. Sometimes you need something small and convenient.

The Bring the Basics Bag is just that, a small shoulder bag, clutch, wristlet or wallet, that will hold just the basic stuff you need to be able to leave the house. It comes in TWO SIZES, one for cellphones up to 6" long, and one for those up to 6 3/4" long.

It has two separate cellphone pockets (holds up to 2 cellphones, 6" or 6 3/4" long denpending on the size you make), card slots, bill slot and a zipper pocket for coins and keys. It's easy, fun and quick to make, the perfect present!

This is my large version of the bag:

Size comparison between the two sizes:

This pretty version was made by one of my student at last weekends classes, you can view them all here: 

Pattern Tester Bring the Basics Bags!

The pattern was naturally properly tested by my amazing pattern testers! This time around I'äd like to give special thanks for their patience with me, so insanely grateful for your help! <3

Aafke Sijen-Jongsma -  Who blogs over here aafkejongsma.blogspot.nl  made two absolutely beautiful versions!

Laura Downs - of funwithtotes whom can be found here on Instagram made this adorable version!

Margareth Tai - Bags by Mags can be found here on Instagram, made this super cute pineapple version!

Alison Heath - of Bobbin Girl (she has fantastic bag making supplies!) made this lovely wristlet one!

Ann-Kristin Kristoffersen - of Kinnas Lappteknik made this lovely fall time version, love it with the chain!

Andrea Fuhrer - made this super cool cork version! Aren't those heart appliques just to die for?

Gillian Woronko - Made this lovely quilted denim version! Looks so exclusive!

Courses at the Swedish Quilters Associations annual meeting!

I had the great honour of being invited as a teacher during Rikstäcket's annual meeting this year. It was a lovely event held in Kalmar, Sweden. I held two classes, one 6 hour class for the Denver Double Zip Bag spread over Friday and Saturday, and one 6 hour class for my Bring the Basics Bag on the Sunday. We had so much fun! We laughed so much and so many stunning bags where born!

This photo really sums up the whole weekend, we had such a WONDERFUL time!

Me explaining how to make the zipper pocket for the Bring the Basics Bag, making sure we're following along in the pattern so it's easier to remember when one gets home:

Part of the classroom with a number of my lovely students hard at work!

A pretty Denver to be during construction.

More hard working students.

 

A few of the pretty Denver Double Zip Bags that where made:

Therese and Tiina with their lovely Denver Double Zip Bags, two of my amazing students who's been to one of my classes before, that's the best one can hope for right, that one's students return? =)

This is how happy one can be after making a brand new handbag for oneself! Beaming Charlotte with her beautifully matching Denver!

Here's a few of the gorgeous Sunday's Bring the Basics Bag's that where made, this pattern will be re-released in a few days with the bag in 2 sizes and a brand new description and pattern!