Kensington Handbag (new pdf pattern)

Good morning friends, hope you are all doing well. 

I've been doing lots of sewing and working on new patterns these last few weeks and I'm excited to show you my newest handbag pattern today.

Kensington Handbag is a super handy everyday bag with two exterior and one inner zipper pockets,  one inner slip pocket, as well as a fabulous main zipper closure to keep all your treasures safely inside the bag. 

DIMENSIONS: 12'' tall x 11'' wide on bottom x 4'' deep

I really love the idea of having two exterior zipper pockets and I keep my phone in one, and keys in the other one. Makes finding keys or picking up the phone when it rings so much easier :)

The inside of the bag is wonderfully roomy without feeling too huge. It fits one's wallet, water bottle, a book, an extra shopping bag, plus a few other necessities with ease. I made myself one of these bags a few weeks ago and I absolutely love its size and functionality.

I used leather handles when making my bags, but you can definitely use webbing if that's what you prefer/ have on hand. I even included instructions on how to make your own fabric handles in the pattern if that's the route you'd like to take.

Lots of zippers, can you tell I'm a big zipper fan? I love adding metal zippers to my bags but it's totally a personal preference and nylon zippers would work just as well. So, if you like nylon zippers, please feel free to use those. I'm sure your bag will turn out beautifully.


+  +  +  +  +

MATERIALS NEEDED to make you very own Kensington Handbag:
*FABRIC A (main exterior) – 3/4 yard
*FABRIC B (lining) – 1/2 yard
*FABRIC C (pocket linings) – 1/2 yard
SF 101 INTERFACING (or other medium weight fusible interfacing of choice) – 2 yards
two (2) – 3/4'' wide x 26'' long LEATHER STRIPS for handles
two (2) - 8'' long metal or nylon ZIPPERS
one (1) - 6'' long metal or nylon ZIPPER
one (1) - 14'' long metal or nylon ZIPPER
four (4) – 6-8 mm RIVETS (optional)


*SUGGESTED FABRICS:
EXTERIOR (FABRIC A) – designer cotton canvas, Essex linen, cotton/linen blend fabric, denim, or medium weight home décor fabric are recommended. Waxed canvas could also be used (no need to add interfacing if you do).

LINING (FABRIC B, C) - I used quilting cotton for the main lining, but you can also use duck canvas (no need to add interfacing if you use canvas for the lining). Pocket linings work best when quilting cotton is used.

SUPPLIES:
cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter
Wonder clips and/or pins
disappearing fabric marker or fine chalk pen
small sharp fabric scissors
90/14 or 110/18 (jeans/denim) needle for your sewing machine
leather hole punch + rivet setting tool (optional)

+  +  +  +  +


What do you think friends? I hope you like this bag as much as I do.

 Kensington Handbag pattern can be purchased at my Etsy shop here or by clicking the link below. And now through Thur, April 16th, you can purchase this pattern at a 25% off introductory price. No coupons needed, the price is automatically adjusted to reflect a 25% discount.

buy this pattern

Happy sewing everyone! Svetlana

Sheridan Tote ~ FREE PDF pattern

Hello lovelies, happy Friday to you all!

What strange times we're living in, aren't we? We've been practicing social isolation in order to help flatten the curve this whole week and are expecting to keep doing it for the next couple of weeks. 

I'm sure a lot of you are in the same situation so I thought you might appreciate a new tote bag pattern to work on :). And, since it's not business as usual for almost any of us, I decided to make this a FREE pattern, available to all.

Pretty fun, right? Sheridan Tote is a beginner friendly tote bag with a fabulously large front pocket and super chic leather handles, plus the optional addition of rivets and heavy duty snap closure.

The tote can be made using just one print or you can mix and match two or more prints if you wish. With simple tote like this it's super fun to play around with fabric placement.

You can also substitute leather handles with webbing ones, or you can even make your own fabric handles. Lots of options, I'm telling you :)

Finished size: 11'' wide on bottom /14 ½'' wide on top X 12'' tall X 4'' deep

You can download the pattern by clicking here.

I hope you have fun sewing up this pattern, can't wait to see your Sheridan Totes. Please share your finished totes on Instagram using #sotakpatterns and #sheridantote.

Happy sewing friends, stay safe and healthy. 

Hugs. Svetlana

Norfolk Pouch (new pdf pattern)

Good morning friends, how are you all doing?

Goodness! I can't believe it's been so long since I last popped in here :(

Have you been sewing a lot? I certainly kept myself busy doing lots of fun sewing and designing. Would you like to see my newest pattern? 

This is Norfolk Pouch.

It's a lovely, super versatile zipper pouch that comes in two sizes:

SMALL:  6 ½'' x 4'' x 1 ½''

REGULAR:  8 ½'' x 5'' x 2''

It has an exterior slip pocket, card slots pocket in the lining (3 slots for small pouch, 4 slots for regular), and a removable wrist strap for added flexibility. You can also check out my video on how I make my wrist straps by clicking here.

Oh, and look at these zipper tabs! I so enjoy adding these lovely morsels of goodness for an extra stylish finishing touch to my pouches.

MATERIALS NEEDED to make your very own Norfolk Pouch:
main exterior fabric - FQ
contrasting exterior fabric - FE
lining - FQ - 1/2 yard
interfacing - 3/4 yard
zipper - 6'' long for SMALL size
8'' long for REGULAR size

one (1) – 1/2'' swivel hook
one (1) – 1/2'' D-ring three
(3) - 6–8mm rivets (optional

SUPPLIES:
rotary cutter, self healing cutting mat, acrylic ruler
wonder clips and/or pins
sharp fabric scissors
zipper foot for your sewing machine (optional)
leather hole punch and rivet setting tool (optional)

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

As always, I enlisted help of some of very talented ladies to test the pattern for me and I was totally enchanted with all the gorgeous pouches they created. Let's have a look, shall we?

Tori made this super stylish Norfolk Pouch. I absolutely adore that fabulous neon zipper against all the gorgeous neutral prints.

Fabulously talented Mela went all out and sewed up quite a few of these handy pouches. Don't you just love her fabulous use of vinyl? Beautiful, aren't they?

My wonderful friend Ingrid sewed up this pretty pouch using Essex linen and quilting cotton. Definitely makes me want to add more red to my stash :)

Last, but definitely not least, is this lovely duo of Norfolk pouches created by the amazing Fani.

A big thank you to all the lovely ladies for making such gorgeous pouches and all the helpful feedback. You guys are the best :).

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

Norfolk Pouch pattern can be now purchased at my Etsy shop here, and for the next 48 hours (now through Sat, Feb.8th) you can purchase this pattern at a 25% off introductory price. No coupons needed, the price is automatically adjusted to reflect a 25% discount.

buy this pattern

Happy sewing everyone! Svetlana