The Bag of the Month Club

Have you ever heard of a Bag of the Month Club? I hadn't either, but after hearing all of the details, I didn't hesitate to jump right on board and now I am so excited to get started!If you love making bags or are wanting to get started with your first bag project, this is going to be a fantastic opportunity to get 6 brand new, exclusive, patterns from some great bag designers in your inbox every month. 


How it works:

The club runs from January-June of 2014. Each month, you will receive an exclusive and never seen before PDF bag sewing pattern from that month's designer. These are going to be high-quality and easy to understand sewing patterns each month. The designer line up is amazing and I am so proud to be working with these ladies! There will be plenty of help along the way and I am sure you will find plenty of new tips and tricks that will help you sew amazing bags in your own personal style.

I've taken all of the pertinent details from Sara's blog (from Sew Sweetness) and shared it here with you.  Here is what Sara has to say:

The bag designs will be a mystery until each pattern is revealed every month. We promise, they will definitely be worth the wait! Each pdf pattern will be delivered on the 1st of the month, and will include detailed instructions, illustrations/photos, and templates needed to make the bag pattern.

If you join after the club begins, you will receive all patterns released to the club up until that point (for instance, if you join on February 14th, you will receive the patterns for January and February within 24 hours of joining).


We are all so excited for you to join us! The one-time fee for 6 months of Bag of the Month Club is $40, during which time you will receive 6 pdf bag sewing patterns. The club runs from January through June of 2014. The club is a great value; pdf bag sewing patterns usually cost around $10 each, and you will be receiving 6 patterns for only $40.

My new Christmas coffee table runner.

I've been having some great fun with my new sewing machine. This is a cute and table runner I made from an old charm pack I got years ago.  All it needed was some binding and my Juki zipped through it like lightening.

Yes, that's right, I have another machine. My Pfaff Ambition 1.5 and I are on a break. That's right, the Brain has be kicked to the curb and designated "back up" machine. I know, our relationship is only 1 year old, but although I have heard raving reviews about the IDT, mine was not quilting great for me and it always pushed the top layer. So frustrating!! I changed the presser foot tension, I pinned and pinned AND spray basted at the same time. Still sliding. Also, being a bag maker, I needed a better motor that would go through anything and I got that with my new Juki TL2010Q. Love her!

Pinky and the Brain are still part of my life and will be used often. Pinky for heavy leather, the Brain for free arm, zig zag, button holes and every other stitch. But, after reading review after review about this great straight stitch, mechanical, Juki - I knew I had to have one.

Sara from Sew Sweetness's sewing machine review tipped me over the edge and put me on the google search war path. Yes, I am keeping up with the Joneses, or Saras. Being in Canada, I could not order from Sew Vac Direct, but after much searching, I did find a machine at Sewing and Embroidery Warehouse out of Winnipeg.  The call was made, and after requesting a discount and extra bobbins, the lovely ladies in sales sent me out the machine the same day and I had it from Winnipeg 3 days later. I have to say, my life has changed.  It just.. is.. wow!!

Secret Handbags:
After finally setting up my "Bag Makers Sewing Supplies" section in my website shop, I am finally able to get to some sewing today. I am working on a bag pattern for a Spring issue of a Canadian quilting magazine.  It's a bit of a secret.... and I'm pretty excited about it because: a) I love the bag and b) I am going to be in a magazine! Whoop!

I've already made one sample and I'm working on another to send while doing instructions.  Instructions will mostly be digital diagrams, so not too many photos to take and that's good because the lighting is terrible today. Here is poor quality teaser:


OH my gosh I have to tell you what happened this morning.  It's hard having a husband working away because I can't just run and tell him something when I want to, but this is cute so you will have to hear it.

I was working on this blog post this morning before my son woke up for school and after I got him up, I put it aside and got him off to school.  Now I am back at it, with a smile on my face because that kid is so darn funny and OH MY we need to teach him about the birds and the bees.  I am just NOT READY!

My girls are 21 and 23 and on their own and poor Jace (8) is on his own here. He was saying he wished he had a brother, because he is bored and this is the conversation that happened:

Me:    "Well hon, Daddy and I wanted you to have a brother or sister and we really tried but we just couldn't."  Immediately I knew that this was going to lead to more questions because I didn't phrase that one quite right.  I thought that it was time I was straight with him.  I need to provide him with a little more knowledge, but not too much quite yet.

Jace:  "Well why not?"
Me:    "Well, I was just too old to have more kids."
Jace:  "How do you make the baby anyway?"
Thoughts:  Crap, Crap... darn it... I am not ready for this 10 minutes before he is supposed to get on the school bus, or ever. Delay, delay... deal with this later.  Oh darn, I have put this off long enough!
Me:    "....stammer..... uh....uh... well the Mom and Dad make it together."
Thoughts:  Ooops bad, bad.  No time for this!! Ack.  Please don't ask, please don't ask!
Jace:   "Do you drink special baby juice?"
Me:     "What?!"  pause.... gulp.... "Drink it? No, you don't drink it."
Thoughts:  Why did I say that?
Jace:    "What?!"
Thoughts:  Oh my!  What am I going to say now?
Jace:    "Can I have an orange in my lunch? Can you peel it?"
Me:      "Yes, I'll send a Christmas napkin with it! How about cookies!"

I did not handle that well. Again.
Can any of you recommend an age appropriate reproduction book for me to read to him??  I can't do this!

Okay, I am going to fill my hardware orders and SEW!!

 

Large Flip Lock

Press Lock or Tongue Lock

Magnetic Snap Closure

 

Press locks available HERE!

How about a fun new lock and a new front flap design for your Necessary Clutch Wallet? Yes we love the small turn locks, but this press lock, sometimes called a tongue lock, is a smart looking addition and so very, very easy to install. This alternate front flap version is also a bit softer and thicker than the original too.  I've left off the front border that you are instructed to make in my pattern (which you can still use with the press lock), and opted for a layer of fusible batting on the front flap and centre of the wallet body as well. I love the feel of this wallet in my hand.

The centre strip of fabric with sides bordered in faux piping add a bit of interest and a fresh new look. Try and not screw up your faux piping like I did.  :)  It's really bothering me that the piping on the left does not have some of the cute clocks showing. There is nice colour on the fabric of the right piping, but definitely not the left!  Darn it!!  

I have FOUR new locks coming soon, and I can't wait until they get here. Seriously, cuteness factor is going to soar with my heart locks and the rectangle and square locks will be sophisticated and classy. I can't wait to see them.

Let's get started!
If you intend on doing this in conjunction with the Necessary Clutch Wallet sewing pattern, you will need to read through both this tutorial and the sewing pattern first. YOU MUST! The sewing pattern is available in both PDF (instant download) or printed paper (shipped directly to you...) on my website, emmalinebags.com. Alternatively, you can follow the directions to add these locks to any front bag closure. Try these on a briefcase, messenger bag, or a nice flap over the top of your purse. I kinda love them!