First pattern from Crimson Cuttlefish - The Cuttlefish Clutch

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Crimson Cuttlefish! I have been following her work for several years now, Catherine the designer makes the most unique and beautiful handbags - here are just a few examples of her wonderful work:

So when she announced she would be making a pattern for her clutch bag I was so excited, and jumped at the chance to be a tester!

Some of the design features include:

• 6 various sized pockets/compartments ideal for holding your cash or I.D cards, lip balm, make up, phone and loose change.

• Removable, interchangeable, straps enabling a variety of uses: 

1. As a classic Clutch Bag – use with or without a wrist strap. 
2. As a compact Handbag – you can wear across your body or over your shoulder. 
3. As a hands free Pouch – wear it around your waist or on your hip. 

I am so pleased with my finished bag, and I use it all the time when I just need to nip out and don't need my usual 'stuffed full' handbag!!

Inside there are some card pockets - these have changed since testing to be long ways - this means you can still slip your cards in, but could also use the pockets for your lip balm or a pack of gum!

There is also a zipped pocket where you can safely store your cash and loose change, and an open inner space where you can put odds and ends.

On the back of the bag there is a padded pocket with a magnetic fastening - perfect for your mobile phone - this makes it really easy to access - don't you just hate it when you can hear your phone ringing, but by the time you find it buried in the bottom of your bag it has stopped!!

There are two eyelets on the bag - one on either side of the flap - this means you can either clip your wrist strap onto whichever side you prefer - or clip your shoulder strap onto both.

There is also the option to add little fabric loops instead of the eyelets - great if you don't feel comfortable using metal hardware.

The gorgeous clasp on the front is available to buy in the Crimson Cuttlefish Etsy shop - amongst lots of other useful hardware - but you could also use any twist lock you like, or just a magnetic fastening if you prefer.

The way this bag comes together is so clever - and it's not only super pretty, it's also really practical and usable with its ample pocket space!

To get your copy of the pattern go HERE and don't forget to stop by the Crimson Cuttlefish Facebook page to check out all the other gorgeous bags!!

Itch to Stitch Emily Culottes Pattern release, sale and giveaway

Culottes!! Yep, you heard me culottes!!!!

All the style and shape of a skirt, but with the practicality of shorts - what's not to love? Especially for a mum with active kids - you can look stylish and keep up without fear of flashing your undies!!

So I'm not sure why they have been on the receiving end of a lot of bad fashion press over the years.... But anyway, they are back!! And Kennis from Itch to Stitch was quick off the mark getting the Emily Culottes pattern out!

The pattern includes two pocket options - welt or patch pocket - I went with the welt pockets because I thought they had a nice sleek tailored look. There are also instructions to shorten or lengthen, but I chose to do the original knee length. Other options include a waist tie, lined or unlined and decorative button tabs on each side. Mine have a pleated front, but you can also leave the pleat out.

I gave myself a whole lot of extra hassle and work by picking a striped fabric - but I have to say, I think it was worth the extra effort, because I love how they turned out!

The waistband is a contour waistband, so it sits beautifully against your body, but a word of warning - it is really easy to stretch it out, because parts of it are sewn on the bias - Kennis has written a great post HERE about why it happens, how it is affected by different fabrics, and how to stop it happening (part 2 to follow).

Another great feature of this pattern is the option to only print the size you want, and the instructions are really detailed with great images to accompany each step.

Better still - the pattern is currently on sale!! Get it HERE or for your chance to try and win the pattern go HERE

Check out some of the other testers versions on the rest of the blog tour:

Tuesday, March 10th - Jordan from  http://goddessofsewing.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 11th - Jessie from http://jesssewfabulous.wordpress.com
Thursday, March 12th - me  http://allsewnupbystacey.blogspot.co.uk
Tuesday, March 17th - Angela from https://sewingdreamsblog.wordpress.com

New releases from Fresh Stitch Patterns - SALE!!

Kylie from Fresh Stitch Patterns has been on a roll again, and has created three fabulous new patterns, and I was lucky enough to test all of them!!

There's a bit of a new look to these patterns - Kylie has moved away from photographic images, and gone for a super professional drawing for each step - the images are really clear, and illustrate each step perfectly, making it a breeze for us visual types to see what we have to do!

First up is the Bubble Skirt - so cute and girly, but still easy to play in!

Kylie has a really clever way to create the bubble, which 1. makes the skirt much easier to move in, and 2. is seriously fast and easy to sew!

Little B loves her Bubble Skirt, and whenever she puts it on she jumps around and twirls in it!

The next pattern is a great staple - and Kylie worked really hard in testing to get the fit just right - Little B calls these her 'twinkle star' leggings!

Again the pattern is really clear and easy to follow with the new format images - these come together so quickly!

These ones are made out of a galaxy print spandex fabric, it's so flexible and makes the leggings really comfy and easy to wear.

Last but not least is the nappy wallet - a quick and practical little project, and would make the perfect baby shower gift! Thanks to some sturdy stabiliser this is a much more structured nappy wallet than others I have made before.

The clever handle can be used either like a wrist strap, or a top handle - which ever way you prefer to carry it. And the neat little cut out shape means you don't have to pull the whole packet out every time you need a wipe!

So, now to the exciting bit!! Kylie is having another crazy sale to celebrate the release of all these new patterns - all patterns are just $1.50!!!! You need to snap them up quickly though, because the sale is only on for another few hours!!

See these and all the other patterns HERE

Hey June - Evergreen Jacket Pattern Release

I'm really excited about this pattern - I think this is the most complex item I've ever sewn! And I love it!!! Such lovely styling and details!

I have a few other patterns from Hey June - and they are all great, so when I heard the Evergreen Jacket needed testers, I jumped at the chance!

I was a little daunted at first - there are a lot of pieces to this pattern (which is what gives the jacket it's awesome shape), but with great instructions and really clear images, it actually came together really easily!

The moto styling of this jacket is really cool - and you can give it lots of different looks depending on what fabric you use - I went with sweatshirting and sized down for a more structured and fitted look. But if you went with your measurements and used a softer, stretchier fabric, you would get more of a slouchy look.

One tester tried it in woven - which also worked great - and you could even go for full on moto style and use leather!! Check out some of the other testers jackets HERE.

 I decided to use a woven to line my pockets, just for a little shot of extra colour!

The pattern is available HERE in sizes XS-2XL and check out the rest of the patterns by Hey June HERE.