Winner, winner...

Thank you to all who entered this week's Girls' Night Out Clutch Giveaway!  I loved reading all your comments - especially the fabric ideas!  Even if you don't win, you can still get a copy of the pattern HERE for a very reasonable price! 

And now....drumroll, please...

The winner of the clutch of her choice is....Ellee, who said "The retro glam one is my favorite!".  Ellee, you'll need to send me your mailing address.

The winner of her very own pattern is...Cathy, who said "I really like the black and silver....but the silver and purple is beautiful.....too hard to choose!! I need the pattern so I can make a collection!!"  Cathy, you'll need to send me your email address.

Congratulations, ladies, and thank you to all who entered.  Tune in next week for another fun giveaway!! 

Good things are coming...

Remember this little guy?

Here he is, soaking up the warm sunshine (finally!).  I think spring is finally making its way to New England!

 Other good things coming are another giveaway next week (hmmm...what could it be?), and this week's Girls' Night Out Clutch Giveaway winners.  Just 3 1/2 more hours to post your comment for a chance to win Ruby's pattern, or your choice of clutch!

Here's a sneak peek of next week's giveaway!

Girls' Night Out Clutch: Rocker

For my final clutch this week (see the others HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE), I chose this black fabric with silver running through it.  By label, it is a "brocade" fabric.  By look, though, it says rocker to me (especially when paired with black jeans, heels, a tank and chunky silver jewelry).

I didn't add piping to this one because I think the fabric speaks enough on its own.  

And the red snap and black sateen lining add their two cents while not overpowering the main fabric.  

I can't wait for my friends' bachelorette party where this clutch will be making its debut in high style!

Now that you've seen Ruby's clutch sewn up in five different styles, which one is your favorite?  Hop over to my giveway page for your chance to win a copy of Ruby's pattern, or your pick of one of my clutches!

Girls' Night Out Clutch: Retro Glam

The clutch spree continues today with a retro glam approach.  It's so hard to pick a favorite, but there's something about this one... (my others are HERE, HERE, and HERE).



 I imagine my grandmother having a clutch like this, circa 1950's.

I lined it with a green sateen fabric.  I love the way the gold fabric reflects the lining color a bit.

And the pops of color - red, turquoise, purple, green and yellow - make this such a versatile fabric choice.

I'll show you my final take on Ruby's clutch tomorrow, and will have a special giveaway for you!

Girls' Night Out Clutch: Glitzy

For today's clutch (see my other ones HERE and HERE, I need some advice.  I found this fabric that, if you look closely, has flecks of metallic running through it.  

I sewed it up with the purple piping, thinking it would draw out the purple tones in the fabric.

It does make for a stark contrast, but...

...would gold have been better?  I think it looks more glitzy (read: '70's disco) with the gold, but not sure if the piping takes away from the subtle gold in the fabric.



Leave a comment and let me know what you think.  I'll count it as one entry into Friday's giveaway!

Girls' Night Out Clutch: Repurposed and Preppy

For today's clutch (see yesterday's HERE), I finally cut into an old skirt sitting in my repurpose pile.  I had just enough fabric from it to cut the pattern pieces.

Here's the before:

...and the after. 

I think I'll get a lot more use out of it as a clutch.  Now, if only summer would arrive!  Doesn't this seem like the perfect "going out for drinks by the ocean" bag?

Stay tuned for more ideas for fabric combinations and Friday's giveaway!

Girls' Night Out Clutch from Zaaberry: five different ways and a GIVEAWAY!

My friend Ruby over at Zaaberry has a new pattern: the Girls' Night Out Clutch.  It's a quick, fun, fairly easy-to-sew pattern, and the options are endless!  She explains how to add piping, insert a magnetic snap,  and accommodate for different weight fabrics.



It's a bit addictive, and I've made four so far (with an idea for a fifth later this week).  This one was a clearance fabric from Joann's.  I love the nod to the ombre effect.



I didn't have any piping I liked with the fabric, but this mini pompom trim seemed to be just the pop the clutch needed.  It adds a bit of whimsy to the bag for a very playful look.



I'll be back each day this week to share a different clutch made with Ruby's pattern.  And...I'll be giving away one free pattern and one free clutch on Friday, so stay tuned...!

Of course, if you don't want to wait for the giveaway, you can always hop over HERE and buy the pattern.  

Kiss Lock Clutch

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking a sewing class at Stitch Lounge in Greenfield, MA.

If you are any bit local to the area, I highly recommend a trip into Jenna's lovely store.  (For those not local, her etsy shop has the sweetest fabrics!)

During the class, we learned to make kiss lock clutches.  Jenna's pattern is perfect for using up small fabric pieces, including these treasured black and yellow florals from Moda.

Unfortunately, I couldn't make my piece of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks work for the bigger clutch.  Luckily, Jenna had a fat quarter of this pink floral, which ended up matching my lining pretty well.

It was great to be a sewing student, rather than teacher, for a night, and spend some time in somebody else's sewing space.  I think I see more of these clutches in my future! 

Hoping you find something new and fun to create!

 

 

Pleated Clutch from Charm Stitch

Every year, my high school friends and I do a holiday gift exchange.  Over the years, it has turned into more of a gift-card exchange.  Being a sewist, I always like to make a little something to make the gift more personal.

I found this tutorial from Charm Stitch and thought it would be perfect for my always-fashionable friend.  I didn't create my own design on the fabric as they suggest, but I did fuse batting to the lining fabric, and add the handle and flower pin...

...and a black metal zipper.

I love the pops of yellow against the simple black and white.  (I was tempted to use hot pink, but figured this was a bit more classic/conservative.  I think she would have gone for pink, though, raised in the '80's on Cyndi Lauper and Madonna!)

Just the right size for a coffee gift card.

This is the first flower I made for it, but didn't think there was enough contrast.  Also, I'm much happier with the finished edge on the final flower vs. the frayed edge on this one.

It was fun to sew something new, and the pattern was well-written.  Thank you to Charm Stitch for sharing!