The Ruffled Runaway Bag from ChrisW Designs

ChrisW Designs newest pattern release is The Ruffled Runaway. It's a smallish tote style bag that features a large slip pocket on both the front and the back of the bag, plus 2 side pockets as well. Those ruffled handles are so sweet! Add piping or not on the large front slip pockets. You can also add a grommet at each side and clip on a cross body strap if you want the option of wearing it across your body. I thought it was perfect just like this without the cross body strap, so I didn't add one.

The bag measures 11" wide x 8" high x 3" deep.

(There is discount code for the pattern at the end of this blog posting, good for 3 days only).

Here is my version:

Made with 3 batik cotton fabrics. The main sunflower print batik and the turquoise accent fabric, plus the inside lining is also a batik fabric. I do love batiks!

I quilted the bottom base of the bag even though the instructions didn't call for doing this. Christine does have us quilt some bag bottoms and I added a double layer of heavy interfacing that is non fusible, so I felt quilting it would hold it all together better.

A slightly recessed zipper closure. I added a button on the zipper tab.

Back side of the bag is the same as the front with a large slip pocket. The piping is an optional feature to add.

I love sunflowers and I have/had several pieces of this sunflower batik print in many different colorways. I guess I was thinking of Spring when I chose these colors to use. Love those side pockets too. That's 4 pockets outside and one zipper pocket inside, for a total of 5 pockets on this bag.

Top view.

The batik lining fabric and zipper pocket.

The other side has no pocket and I didn't think it was needed as there are so many outside pockets.

Side pocket and depth of bag shown here.

15% off discount now through Sunday February 5 Australia Eastern Time, using code: runaway15 Go HERE to purchase the PDF.

Sign up for Christine's newsletter to be the first to hear about newly released patterns and also receive a bit larger of a discount (20%) on newly released patterns as well. The form is located on the right side of her website.

This was a fun and fast sew and so cute! 

And be sure to check out all the tester's versions of The Ruffled Runaway too on Christine's blog here.

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The Illusion Bag

I am finally able to reveal my version of  The Illusion Bag that I tested for Imazz Patterns a few months ago. This is the first bag pattern offered in the Bag of the Month Club (BOTMC) that runs January-March. There are 3 bag designers and you get a packaged deal of all 3 patterns by joining the BOTMC. You can join anytime through the end of March for this deal. The other 2 bag designs will not be revealed until the 1st of each month (Feb. & March). You cannot buy these patterns individually until after the BOTMC is over and I am not certain when the exact date of that will be, but you will need to purchase from each designer then as it will no longer be a package deal. By joining the club you save money and it's like getting one pattern free.

Imazz's instructions are excellent and this bag is no exception. The Illusion Bag is perfect for someone who doesn't have or prefers not to use a lot of hardware or any hardware at all. Of course you can use whatever hardware you like. 

Here is my version of The Illusion Bag. I chose to use a batik fabric paired with a pair of repurposed jeans in an brownish-olive tone, which went perfect with my batik fabric. 

The finished bag measures 13 inches / 32.5 cm high x 11 inches / 28.5 cm wide x 3 inches / 7.5 cm deep.

You can see the tester's versions here.

The front of the bag features a zippered pocket as well as a slip pocket. Perfect place for easy access to your phone, keys, your mask, or whatever you need to grab quickly.

A recessed zipper to keep the contents of you bag secured.

Inside the bag you have choices of pockets to add or not add. I added both a divided slip pocket as well as a zipper pocket. But you can add 2 zipper pockets or 2 slip pockets or one pocket or no pockets as the choice is yours if you make this make bag. There are instructions for both pockets in the instructions.

I like to divide my pocket to include a pen pocket.

This is the back side of the bag. No pockets here, but you could add one if you wanted to. You can see the seam down the center, which is from the jeans I used to create this bag. It gives it a bit of character, don't you think?

I chose to use webbing for my strap, along with strap ends and some rivets, both are in antique brass a handmade label too.

I just love both of those front pockets.

Don't want to make a bag, but like this one? I have it listed for sale in my PayHip Shop with FREE SHIPPING to USA only. This bag has SOLD.

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Arabesque Bag with Modifications

I love the Arabesque Bag (by Sew Sweetness). I usually make this bag by sewing together vertical strips of fabric and quilting it. I love the scrappy patchwork look and it is a great way to use up the scraps that start to pile up. Sometimes I make the bag in only batik fabrics, sometimes I choose a color like purple and only use purple fabric strips to sew together. No matter what the colors I have chosen or the modifications I make to this bag, I love this bag.

This time I decided to not sew together scraps and use one main fabric along with an accent fabric to create the bag. I tend to make this bag in 3 sizes: the original size and reduced to 90% and 80%. For this bag I made it reduced to 90%, which is a perfect size in my opinion. For those that like a slightly larger or smaller bag, then the larger or smaller versions are equally as great.

I chose this Paris, France collage print fabric (which I love) and paired it with a faux black cork fabric. I think this is a great looking combination. What is it about Paris, France fabrics that always look so good and are so appealing? Usually they tend to be in a collage print, which I personally like, but even other non-collage prints are good looking too. Is it the Eiffel Tower? The text or postcard prints that are on this print? The rose and butterfly? I don't know for sure, but the combination of all those items together just looks fabulous! Are you drawn to Paris, France prints? Why do you think you like them?

The bag measures 11 3/4" wide x 9" high x 3 1/2" deep.

Okay, here is the bag and I will note my changes in the caption.

I added a label with rivets and added some rivets at the base of the straps too.

I make my own beaded zipper pulls with charms and I bought some Eiffel Tower charms to use on the Paris, France bags I make.

On the back of the bag I added a zippered pocket, since the pattern has no exterior pockets, but I feel a bag needs at least one exterior pocket. I also added a couple of rivets at the sides of the zipper.

I added a heavyweight interfacing to the bottom of the bag and quilted it in place and added purse feet too. This helps to give more structure to the bag and the purse feet help to keep the bottom of the bag clean.

I changed the way I sewed the main zipper closure too, so that the bag opens nice and wide. Inside I added 2 divided slip pockets.

A matching Little Wallet that I include free with the purchase of the bag too.

This Arabesque Bag is for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Lovingly made in my smoke free, pet free, perfume free home.

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