Sew Powerful Purses #163-164 for 2026

2 more finished purses for Sew Powerful Purse Project.

I love how sweet this appliqué turned out and it was just the right size for a purse flap too.

Scrappy pieced flap with added palm trees that was from a partial Hawaiian appliqué design.

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Sew Powerful Purses #161- 162 for 2026

Scrappy pieced purse flaps with flower appliqués. Donating to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

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Sew Powerful Purse #160 for 2026

I love having fun using decorative stitches on my sewing machine to create an artsy looking flap. I like adding rickrack or yarn couching sometimes too and buttons, crystals. Donating to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

I used only one variegated thread color on this purse flap. Normally I would use a variety of thread colors in solid or variegated colors. I made the strap to match the purse body.

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Sew Powerful Purses # 158-159 for 2026

These 2 purses were made by using a small fussy cut panel (the elephants) and then I appliquéd the elephants onto a fabric square on point and hand sewed tiny rickrack around it. There are 5 African countries each with a different animal. I wanted to mimic the perforated postage stamp look of the print panel (see 2nd photo below). In order to use the country/animal, I had to cut the rickrack looking perforated part of the print or lose using most of the countries/animals. I was able to cut 81 total animals, with one elephant that I had to trim off the partially printed Congo & 7 cents because it was on the end and I could only save the elephant part. 

Here are the first 2 completed purses I finished. Others will slowly be made or I will save the kits I made to sew up in September during the Sew Powerful annual Sew-a-thon. 

This fabric was given to me by my good friend, Tara. You can see what I mean about the rickrack parts that I had to cut on them to divide the sections and if I pieced the countries/animals, it would have been lost in a seam anyhow, so I appliquéd instead and added my own rickrack to give it a similar look. Thanks Tara for the fabric! I love that Zambia is one of the African countries in this print, since the purses I make go to the girls in Zambia. The others are nice too.

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Sew Powerful Purses #155-157 for 2026

I have been busy making flaps and cutting the fabrics for the purse body, lining and interfacing and making purse kits to have ready to sew for Sew Powerful Purse Project.

These 3 purse flaps were made using only ribbons that I sewed around the squares on point. I used a variety of ribbon widths, colors and prints. I have a lot of ribbon and thought this might be a fun way to use them. I might make some more like these another time to use up some more ribbons I have.

I added some French Knots around the appliqué embroidered flower.

More French knots were added in the tiny holes of the blue lace around the center cotton fabric print. Wool appliqué in the center of the cotton print was stitched by hand.

The wool heart was stitched by hand. The heart got slightly crooked and didn't notice it until later when it was too late to fix 😜. Oh well, wonky is good too 😉.

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Faith & Natasha Holding the Purses I Made

I made this purse with my own hands, and a girl in Zambia gets to stay in school because of it. Her name is Faith💖Did you know something as simple as a handmade purse can keep a girl in school? I sewed this one for Faith in Zambia — now she won't miss a single day of school. This is my #PictureYourPurse. It just took a little fabric, a lot of love. Learn more about how you can support keeping girls in school at: https://keep-girls-in-school.raiselysite.com/

I made this purse with my own hands, and a girl in Zambia gets to stay in school because of it. Her name is Natasha 💗Did you know something as simple as a handmade purse can keep a girl in school? I sewed this one for Natasha in Zambia — now she won't miss a single day of school. This is my #PictureYourPurse. It just took a little fabric, a lot of love. Learn more about how you can support keeping girls in school at: https://keep-girls-in-school.raiselysite.com/

It is such a special feeling to see a couple of girls holding the purses that I made for them. 💜💗💖

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Little Monsters Teething Ring Lovies

These adorable Little Monsters were fun and quick to make. They attach to a silicone teething ring for baby to cuddy and hold on to when teething. I tested this pattern from Around the Bobbin Patterns. The pattern comes with 2 silicone rings and easy to follow instructions. These would make great gifts for a baby or mother-to-be. Can be made in all flannel (as I have done) or use Minky for an even softer feel. Add crinkle material inside if you want. 

These measure about 6" x 6" and 9" x 7".

Save 20% off the pattern now May 22 through May 25, 2026 by using the code NEW20.

Go here: https://aroundthebobbin.com/shop/patterns/little-monsters/

Happy Monsters sewing!

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Flip & Heat Microwave Baskets in 3 Sizes

I tested this pattern for these Flip & Heat Microwave Baskets for Around the Bobbin Patterns. These baskets are easy to make and you can choose from 2 different handles. I made the first handle that stands up. The other handle is like the Pass the Hot Dish pattern, that I had tested also.

Since these are for the microwave, you need to use cotton fabric, cotton thread and 100% cotton batting. I chose New Mexico chile fabrics for these baskets.

These baskets fold flat to store when not in use. They would make great gifts for any occasion too!

From May 22 through May 25, 2026 the pattern is on sale for 20% off. Grab your pattern now while it is one sale with the code: NEW20. Go here to purchase: 

https://aroundthebobbin.com/shop/patterns/flip-heat-microwave-baskets/

Finished sizes: 4-1/2″ square (small), 6″ square (medium) , and 7-1/2″ square (large). I chose to leave off the handle for the small size.

Here they are nested.

Large basket folded flat for storage.

Small and medium baskets folded flat for storage.

Happy basket sewing!

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Vale Crossbody Bag in Pixie Size~ ChrisW Designs Newest PDF Pattern

The Vale Crossbody bag by ChrisW Designs is her newest pdf pattern and it includes 3 sizes! Pixie, Petite & Midi sizes. I made the cute Pixie size. The Pixie is the smallest and measures 8 3/4" wide x 6 3/4" high x 2" deep. A perfect size for carrying minimal items, or for a teen, or younger child, or make matching mommy/daughter bags. Need a bit more room? Petite size would be great for you. Midi is larger still for the person who has more to carry or larger items to hold.

The bag closes with a zipper, has a back zipper pocket and and inside zipper pocket. The front has a slip pocket with a snap closure. An adjustable strap that clips on. 

Grab your pdf pattern while on sale. Scroll to bottom of this post for links.

I upcycled denim jeans to make this Vale Pixie size. It would have been much easier to make if I hadn't used denim because it was a bit too thick in places. The Midi size would have been much better in denim. I wasn't thinking about the thickness of denim when I chose it, but Christine added a mention of it in the final pattern so someone else won't choose too heavy of a fabric. That's why we test patterns 😉to find out where the struggles are, if any, besides the usual typos, etc.

The inside has a zipper pocket with a vinyl overlay. The zipper on the outside is the back side of the bag.

Check out the features of each size Vale bag & see the Tester's Bags here.

Blog post for the Vale Crossbody Bag, plus tester photos, info, video intro, video instructions and to purchase the pdf pattern here too. Pdf on sale for a limited time.

Happy bag sewing!

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Orange String Blocks for Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026

These are my orange quilt blocks for the the Rainbow Challenge. I didn't have that many scraps in long enough strips in orange, so will make more as soon as I have more scraps of orange.

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Sew Powerful Purses #151-154 for 2026

4 scrappy flap purses to donate to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

Wool flower appliqué over scrappy piecing.

A fun appliqué flower.

I like this large appliqué flower.

Back side of purse and the purse below also has this fabric for the purse body too.

Scrappy squares on point.

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Sew Powerful Purses #148-150 for 2026

I made these 3 purses using the same print in 3 different colorways. I used a small scrap of the print in each flap too. Donating to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

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Sew Powerful Purses # 146-147 for 2026

Here are 2 purses made from scraps of denim jeans I had leftover from making purses. I used all scraps and covered in tulle and quilted the pieces. After quilting, I added rickrack or gimp braid, yarn couching, buttons, and a Handmade label. A Shabby Chic look? Donating these to Sew Powerful Purse Project.

Various colors of denim scraps in this one.

On the back I added this flower that I cut from an old felted sweater.

Close up of the wool felted flower. The center felt circles were not wool. I snipped all around the lavender circle to make it look like fringe.

Here is the 2nd purse, also using a variety of colored denim scraps. I used a gimp braid on this one, along with yarn couching.

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Sew Powerful Purses #143-145 for 2026

3 more purse to donate to Sew Powerful Purse Project. These 3 were great scrap buster flaps! But alas, I end up with just as many scraps after cutting the purse body and lining fabrics 😬😄.

I LOVE how this flap turned out! I used 2" squares to create the strawberry. I might reduce the strawberry next time as it is a wee bit too large, but it works. I like the large dramatic strawberry.

Here you can see the whole strawberry as well as the scrappy pieced denim blue jeans scraps that I made the purse body out of.

More patchwork on an entire flap. I placed the same fabric on a diagonal row

                                                                 for each print I used. 

The flap lining is a patchwork print and the purse body is bright plaid.

A four-patch on point with scrappy fabrics all around. The same purse body as the purse above.

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