Date: 1/26/09 12:54 PM

Hi Everybody! It's Here!

Handbag Contest 2009
Managed by Ladybegood

Between February 1st and February 28th cut/sew and review a handbag of your choice and enter it in the contest.

1) A commercial pattern or self drafted pattern may be used. A pattern you've used previously may also be used, however the entry for this contest should be a different and new bag.
2) A lining is required
3) A closure of some sort is required ( snaps, magnetic snaps, flap with snaps, zippers, button and loop closure )
4) Use of interfacing to make it a structured bag is required. It can be a slouchy bag also, but interfacing is still required.
5) Purchased handles are allowed but purchased straps are not allowed.
6) Use of hardware is optional but is encouraged.
7) Grocery bags are not included in this contest.

Winners are determined by reader votes.
Prizes: Sponsored by

First Prize: $150 GC
Second Prize: $100 GC.

Amy Butler Patterns are 25% off in the month of February


Things to consider when voting for a winner of this contest:
a) Construction (quality; choice of hardware / interfacing / fabric).
b) Usefulness and functionality. (Eg, sections for organization, pockets for keys or cellphone)
c) Style and attractiveness.
d) How well it's documented.
e) Would you buy it in a store? Yes, this is subjective. But that's the point. Is it something that you would want?

You can enter more than one item to the contest provided each entries meets the specified conditions above.

*Rules that apply to all contests:
1. Contests begin on the 1st of the month, and all reviews must be entered for submission by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the last day of the month.
2. Unless otherwise stated in the rules, Patterns may be drafted, tweaked, and muslined before the contest date, but fabric for the pieces entered may not be laid out or cut till the start date of the contest. Fabric may be pretreated before the contest date.
3. Items intended for sale, or for which you were or will be paid to make, do not qualify for any contest, but items made for charity are welcome!
4. Unless otherwise stated in the rules, all reviews written for a contest entry must include a picture of the entry.

Contest Eligibility
1. Any member of Pattern Review, either paying (FoPR) or non-paying, who's been a registered member on the site for 90 days prior to the start of a contest is eligible to enter.
2. Any member of Pattern Review, either paying (FoPR) or non-paying, who's been a registered member on the site for 90 days prior to the end of a contest is eligible to vote in a contest.
3. Any member who's won a prize (1st or 2nd place) in a contest on Pattern Review ended in the previous six months is ineligible to win another contest for a period of 6 months.

Links of interest:
CulturedExpressions.com
Zippered pocket tutorial
Techniques for Bagmaking list of handbag related tutorials at Sewing Tutorials blog
Jitney Tote Pattern and premade leather handles
Lazy Girl Designs handbag products as well as a blog with free patterns and tutorials
Henrietta's Handbags a whole slew of patterns and other resources
Flat bottom bag tutorial
Purse organizer tutorial
U-Handbag European site with supplies, instructions, and a blog
Nicole Mallalieu Design Australian designer's site with patterns, supplies, tips and tutorials.

Contest Links

Contest Report

Photo Gallery

Enter Project to the Contest Report

Enter Contest

Write a Pattern Review
-- Edited on 2/3/09 3:29 PM --
-- Edited on 2/6/09 1:18 AM --

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"Clothes may make the woman, but the woman can also make the clothes. When a dress runs away with the woman, it's a horror."
-Claire McCardell

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Reply to ladybegood
Date: 1/26/09 1:45 PM

BAG LADY HERE!

Question: I make a lot of bags, and have some planned here in the very near future. Can you make a bag for both the Stash Contest and the Handbag Contest? It won't be awful if you can't, because I have both new and older fabric for a bag.

Last question, does a duffel bag count as a large handbag since it is just larger??? I have plans for a majorly cool duffel bag for me with a wonderful embroidery.

This sounds like fun!

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"Sewing should be fun; make it that way!" Margaret Islander
Flying through life by the seat of my pants and hoping I get my crotch curve right.
"No humiliation is too great for a well fitting pair of pants!" Heidi Cooper
J6500P,
J1600P
J3160DC
J350E
JCP1000
Pfaff C1100 Pro
Babylock Eclipse serger
My grandmother's Feather Weight

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Date: 1/26/09 6:14 PM

I'm in! I bought the Jittney Tote pattern a year ago along with the leather handles and have been looking for motivation to actually make it. This is just what I need. And most of the fabric is in my stash. Doesn't get any better than that.



-- Edited on 1/26/09 6:14 PM --

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Lori

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Reply to Ody
Date: 1/27/09 0:56 AM

Ody, you can enter one project in two contests so long as it abides by all the qualifications for both contest. So by all means, use up that stash! I have no idea about the duffel bag tho, so hold tight on that question for a minute.

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"Clothes may make the woman, but the woman can also make the clothes. When a dress runs away with the woman, it's a horror."
-Claire McCardell

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Reply to ladybegood
Date: 1/27/09 9:58 AM

If it helps, I did a review on a couple of duffel bags. They are by all rights a very large hand bag. In fact, the pattern used for those has a smaller version that is a purse made the same way.

When I go down to my own computer, (I am on dh's comp. at the moment), I will post a picture of what I mean. I have a lot of purses I want to make as well, so it does not matter. I am not out to win the stash contest this year, but we need all the yards we can get.

------
"Sewing should be fun; make it that way!" Margaret Islander
Flying through life by the seat of my pants and hoping I get my crotch curve right.
"No humiliation is too great for a well fitting pair of pants!" Heidi Cooper
J6500P,
J1600P
J3160DC
J350E
JCP1000
Pfaff C1100 Pro
Babylock Eclipse serger
My grandmother's Feather Weight

Next page>>

Date: 1/27/09 10:32 AM

Would a dual-purpose diaper bag/handbag be eligable for this contest?

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Alicia
http://aajsaunders.blogspot.com

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Date: 1/27/09 10:41 AM

Here's a recent discovery: Lazy girl Designs. Lots of handbag patterns; some free, some not - but worth a look just for ideas even: http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/bags.php

Also, Henrietta's Handbags & Purse Patterns is a great website to check out:
http://henriettashandbags.com/Craft_Ideas.html
Hope you enjoy these ideas as we count down to the start of this contest!!

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Alicia
http://aajsaunders.blogspot.com

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Reply to Ody
Date: 1/27/09 10:45 AM

Ody, I slept on it, and I think that as long as it is a bag that would be used for daily use (as opposed to 'luggage' that would just get packed and unpacked) and it follows the other rules, then it is in. The contest is more about structure and usability than size. Though there is a point where size becomes impractical, handbags have become ridiculously large these days, so as long as you intend to use it as a handbag, and not as a duffel bag for, say, camping or whatnot, then go for it.

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"Clothes may make the woman, but the woman can also make the clothes. When a dress runs away with the woman, it's a horror."
-Claire McCardell

Next page>>

Reply to AliciaNoel
Date: 1/27/09 10:50 AM

Quote: AliciaNoel

Would a dual-purpose diaper bag/handbag be eligible for this contest?

Absolutely! I think that is pretty common these days, and I think that would definitely be in the spirit of the contest.

Thanks for the links as well. If anybody has any other links re: handbag making, either post them in the thread or PM me and I'll add them to the opening post.

------
"Clothes may make the woman, but the woman can also make the clothes. When a dress runs away with the woman, it's a horror."
-Claire McCardell

Next page>>

Reply to ladybegood
Date: 1/27/09 10:55 AM

Thanks! I can't wait to get started

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Alicia
http://aajsaunders.blogspot.com

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