Date: 2/23/10 8:35 PM

"March Challenge Handbag Contest" Rules
Managed By: Lizziwhizz

Sponsored by Lucy's Fabrics


Between March 1st and March 15th 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.

Join the Contest
Here is the help page on adding photos to your reviews.


Winners:
1st Place -- determined by reader votes . $50 Gift Certificate from LucysFabrics
Random drawing -- from all eligible entries excluding 1st place winner $25 Gift certificate from Lucy's Fabrics.

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?

*Rules that apply to all contests:

1. All reviews must be entered for submission by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the last day of the contest. Contest dates will be listed for each contest.

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 1st place in a contest on Pattern Review ended in the previous 4 months is ineligible to win another contest (for that 4 month period).
-- Edited on 3/15/10 8:20 AM --

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Date: 2/23/10 8:40 PM

Questions? Comments? Let's hear it!

This is a great contest for those of you who've never entered a PatternReview contest before. The relatively small project and short timeline can be a motivator for some!

In the days before you can start, let's hear what patterns you've been itching to try! What piece of fabric have you had stashed, waiting for just the right project?

List of Free Handbag Patterns (all of these meet the requirements):
Buttercup Bag
The Everything Bag
Piping and Stripe (ing) Shoulder Bag
Silk Pleated and Darted Purse
Hobo Bag
Giant List of Bag Tutorials. (be sure when choosing from these that they meet all the contest's requirements.)
-- Edited on 2/27/10 3:40 PM --

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Date: 2/23/10 9:13 PM

Perfect timing! I just bought these 2 McCall's patterns


and




I haven't decided yet which one to make first.

I really like the way the coordinating fabrics are used.

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Goals for July:
Participate in One Pattern, Many Looks contest
Learn to use my new ruffler

Beverly

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Date: 2/23/10 11:03 PM

I've been away from sewing for a few years. This will be a good way to jump back into the fun. Does anyone know where to get some good calfskin or genuine skins, besides FabricMart?

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Currently working on:
Burda Plus Spring/Summer '10 411A tunic
Sewing Workshop Trio pattern and Urban Tee/Pants

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Date: 2/23/10 11:14 PM

I've drawn up a couple of ideas for convertible bags for traveling, will have to look to see if I have any fabric in stash that I can use for this. Trying to use up what I have rather than buying something new... although I might wander around in a hardware store looking for clips and other things I can put to use.

Marguerite

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fabric stash: huge. I don't even know how many boxes.
2007 fabric in: 7 1/2 yards; sewn: 7 yds
2008 fabric in, allowed 4 1/2 yds; not allowed 18 1/2 yds; sewn 20 yds; given away 6 yds
2009 fabric in 41 1/4 yds, sewn 29 yds, given away 22 1/2 yds
2010 fabric in 35 1/2 yds
2010 fabric sewn 8 yds
2010 fabric given away
2010 projects completed 6
2010 UFOs completed 10 (blouse, 9 egg fabric table runners)

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Date: 2/23/10 11:58 PM

This is funny! I made up my own challenges at the beginning or the year - and March is "Make a Handbag"! I was even going to use some good ol' VW fabric!

Joanne

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Date: 2/24/10 7:34 AM

Yeah! This is the perfect motivation for me to finally sew up this "Cracker Purse" kit that I have had for a year now Cracker Purse Kit
I am definitely in.
Blessings,
Patti

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Blessings,
Patti
http://poured-out.blogspot.com/

2010
Fabric yardage sewn: 33.83
Fabric yardage purchased: 53.75
Projects done: 15

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Date: 2/24/10 8:08 AM

yay! Love all your ideas so far; BJ, I love those bags. It makes me happy that the big 4 pattern companies are finally embracing modern fabrics and showing a lot of their patterns in recent designer prints.

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Date: 2/24/10 9:42 AM

For the past few weeks, I've been thinking about knocking off this handbag. But I didn't want to start drafting the pattern until I could see clear closeup photos, and this bag is so new, it hasn't appeared on any of the department store websites. Three weeks isn't a lot of time to develop a pattern, sew muslins to fine tune it, and produce the final bag. But I'd like to give it a shot.


-- Edited on 2/24/10 9:45 AM --

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The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale.
Richard Dawkins

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Reply to nancy2001
Date: 2/24/10 10:33 AM

nancy2001: great handbag! Love the sides folding over. What type of fabric are you thinking of using?

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Currently working on:
Burda Plus Spring/Summer '10 411A tunic
Sewing Workshop Trio pattern and Urban Tee/Pants

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