October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and once again our friends at byannie.com have asked us to join them on their blog hop to spread awareness and encourage you all to go for regular screenings. This is our third year joining in on the blog hop, and I think that if just one of you reading today is encouraged to do a screening or contribute to research, then this was a success. Are you due for a screening? 

I have a great pink project to share with you, and an opportunity to win a prize at the end of this, but first let me share with you the calendar of events over at byAnnie.com for this month. 

A PINK project to share. 

Turn a Wristlet into a Waist bag! 

First things first, you need to get the pattern. Download the pattern here!

The instructions in the pattern are for a wristlet version, but you can easily convert this bag into one for your hip. Bum bags or Fanny packs were so cringe worthy after the 80's, but somehow in 2022 they popular again. I don't know how this happened, but there is no end to how the world has changed after 2020. Maybe we have just learned to adapt and be practical. Let your hair go grey if you like, and wear a fanny pack if you want to. Do what you want! 

In the pattern instructions, you are to make 1 x 2" long strap tab to attach the wristlet to, and we are simply going to make 2!  So add a second D-ring to a second strap tab and add it to the front of the bag in the same spot as the other one, but on the other side.  

You can skip sewing a wrist strap, and instead make an adjustable strap just like how you make a shoulder strap with a strap slider for adjusting. 

For this, you will need 2 swivel snap hooks and a strap slider. Although I kept my strap anchors and d-rings at 1/2", for my strap I went up to a 3/4" width, so I used 3/4" hooks and a 3/4" wide mouth strap slider. Since I used faux leather for the strap, the wide mouth slider was perfect to accommodate the extra thickness of the strap. 

I first measured around my waist, and used that measurement for the strap length. It was more than enough, since the strap doesn't go all the way around your body.  

How to make an adjustable strap. 

After sewing the strap, to make the strap adjustable, you attach one end of it to the centre bar of the slider. Then thread on 1 swivel snap hook, and then thread the other end through the strap slider bars. Then you can add a hook onto the second end of the strap. 

That project was too quick and easy!!

Thank you for reading and following along with my PINK project. If you make any of these, please be sure to tag us on your social media so we can see. Use the #sewpink tag, as well as #manhattanzippercase and #emmalinepatterns

During the rest of October 2022, we'd like to offer a chance for you to win 1 of TWO $50.00 gift cards to shop at emmalinebags.com. Join our giveaway below. Winners will be announced on Nov 1, 2022.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG HOP 2022 SCHEDULE

✂ Oct. 1 :ByAnnie.com Kick off

✂ Oct. 3 : Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 4: Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 5: Clover and Violet

✂ Oct. 6: Fat Quarter Shop and the Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 7: Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 10: Teresa Coates & Shannon Fabrics

✂ Oct. 11:Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 12: Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 13: Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 17: Snuggles Quilts

✂ Oct. 20: Pat Sloan

✂ Oct. 21: Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct.23: Sookie Sews 

✂ Oct. 24: Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 26: A Bright Corner

✂ Oct. 27: Sew Cute and Quirky

✂ NOV. 1 : ByAnnie.com Final Wrap Up

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer.

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.byannie.com/SewPink

To find screenings available near you: 

●      Breast Screen (Australia)

●      CDC.gov (US)

●      Canadian Cancer Society

●      WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $20,000.

ByAnnie.com will match every dollar raised on the #SewPINK fundraising page.

Located in Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada - we are so happy to be able to support our customers and our community.   The added space means we are able to carry a wider range of products, and expand our offerings!   We will still be shipping internationally daily, but will now be able to truly create a destination spot for our customers wanting to travel to our store.   The ultimate Emmaline experience! 

When I started Emmaline Bags ten years ago, I never imagined this could be a possibility.  Emmaline started out as my own bag making and sewing pattern business, with patterns sold under my name, Janelle MacKay - Emmaline Bags. I worked solo from my kitchen table and basement for years!  It's now becoming a one-stop shop for bag making.  My true passion is designing products and sewing patterns for my fellow makers, and I am so fortunate to have such a great team of individuals with me on this journey.   To be at this point now with Emmaline Bags is a dream come true, and has taken years of sacrifice, late nights, early mornings, bad days, good days, and always a complete dedication to our customers, our team members, and our business. 

Our new Emmaline Bags building could not be possible without my husband, Mike.  He has been leading this endeavour, and his passion for quality workmanship really shines through.   Mike is over at the site at all hours of the day and night coordinating the project, and even building components himself.   There is A LOT of sweat equity in this build! 

I envision a creative and innovative space, where our customers are inspired to make and create, and our staff are empowered and excited to come to work each day.  A place that we as a sewing community can come together to collaborate and foster our creative minds.  

In closing, I want to thank everyone for their support and guidance over the past 10 years. Our peers, customers, staff, and colleagues truly make us better everyday, and none of this would have been possible without all of you! 

It's October again, which brings Autumn to the northern hemisphere, but also is breast cancer awareness month. I've been doing some reflecting this year about how this has affected women I know; friends my age, and even my own cousin. It hits home, and it is a reality many of us will face. We can help make a difference to those that are affected by breast cancer, and with initiatives like this we can also make a cure a reality too. 

I've been asked to host a stop on the #SewPink initiative blog hop again, and I have a fun pink project to share with you! I am going to sew something PINK, and while you are reading all about it, I hope you are reflecting on the seriousness of testing and screening for breast cancer. Read my blog post, & see how you can win 1 of 2 gift cards worth $50.00 at emmalinebags.com. 

Last time I was in the #SewPINK Blog Hop, I stitched up one of Annie's fabulous patterns and had a lot of fun with it. This time I really wanted to work with some bright pink cork fabric so I could sew, but also do some painting on the edges with some bright pink edge paint. Working with edge paint always makes me feel like I have been doing some crafting as well as sewing, so this project ticks all of the "crafty" boxes for me - cut, sew, & paint!

I have been wanting to make a Key Fob Wallet, pattern by SewGnar, for ages. (We have the printed paper pattern in the shop, or you can get the PDF right from SewGnar.) SewGnar patterns are such excellent cork scrap busters, and I do have a lot of cork! 

The Key Fob Wallet

For this project I used some scraps of our Honeysuckle Pink cork, a 14" zipper in Pink Frosting, some of our nickel bag hardware from the shop. I used the Pink edge paint from the Girardini Basic Colour set, as well as the Dense Basecoat. I also added a piece of the RFID fabric to block credit card scanners. We sell this in the shop as well. It's not a lot of supplies, but put it together and I am really just so impressed with what a nicely finished wallet it is! It's so cute, but it also looks so nicely done. Yes, I am pretty proud of it. Pretty in Pink! 

Some comments before you start! 

Let's Get Painting!

Some Construction Tips!

Here is a picture of the zipper pocket done and stitched in place. The bottom edge of the zipper pocket is finished with edge paint!

Let's get back to the instructions! 

Finishing up! 

Now you can finish the wallet, completing steps 11 to 14. You will then be able to finish painting the sides of the wallet. Add a gloss coat if desired!

Looking gorgeous! The wallet is now done. The edge paint is durable and flexible and adds a very professional finish.  Since there is a lot of back and forth between steps, I think it would be best to make a few at a time so that you can just keep doing the coats before washing the applicator between steps. Next time I will make quite a few. 

Thank you for reading and following along with my PINK project! These are very handy little things and although you can definitely make them without edge paint, they do look so good with it. A little bit of planning is required if you want to make sure the right edges are pre-painted and the right edges are left until the end. I love putting a bit of extra thought into what I am doing, as it make a fun challenge. 

If you make any of these, please be sure to tag us on your social media so we can see!

During the rest of October 2021, we'd like to offer a chance for you to win 1 of TWO $50.00 gift cards to shop at emmalinebags.com. Join our giveaway below. Winners will be announced on Nov 1, 2021.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

---

Blog Hop 2021 Schedule

✂ Oct. 1 (Fri):Fat Quarter Shop - The Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 2 (Sat):Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 4 (Mon): Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 6 (Wed): Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 11 (Mon):Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 13 (Wed): Great Heron Thread Co.

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Love You Sew

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 16 (Sat): Meadow Mist Designs

✂ Oct. 18 (Mon): OklaRoots

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Teresa Coates

✂ Oct. 22 (Fri): Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct. 23 (Sat): Shannon's Studio

✂ Oct. 25 (Mon): The Littlest Thistle

✂ Oct. 27 (Thur): Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 27 (Wed): Sookie Sews 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection, and support for those affected by breast cancer. 

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.byannie.com/SewPink

To find screenings available near you: 

●      Breast Screen (Australia)

●      CDC.gov (US)

●      Canadian Cancer Society

●      WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $10,000.

 

To find the #SewPINK donation to Fat Quarter Shop’s fundraiser visit: https://fundraise.nbcf.org/SewPINK