Hi Everyone! In part 4 we wrap up the topic of sewing purses with a look at the finishing touches and tiny details that elevate the finished design.

The video posted for this section includes several strap design modifications. Not every purse has a fabric strap, choosing to use trims, chains, or strips of leather or vinyl, add a unique look to the design. It also brings a level of authenticity to the tiny bag, mimicking the real thing.

Be on the lookout for narrow trims or long necklaces. Anything 1/2" wide or narrower will usually work perfectly. You can find metal chains, embroidered fabric strips, braided trims, and more. If you have a Forever 21 near you, be sure to check out their jewelry section, they have a bunch of long necklaces that work great. (Side note - they also have lots of anklets that work perfectly as necklaces for the dolls!) 

Resource List:

• Micro Suede Fabric - I have found this most frequently at JoAnn Fabrics (both in store and online). I used this for the brown Killara Fringe Bag.
• Real Leather or Suede Pieces - I have found these locally at Pacific Fabrics, the pieces come in oddly shaped remnant style amounts because they are natural products. I realize many of you might not be interested in using this type of fabric, so this info is for those of you that are interested. I used a piece of this for the fuchsia Killara Fringe Bag.
• Tiny Trims - look for 1/4" or narrower trims to accent these tiny bags. Both Britex ( in San Francisco ) and Mood ( IN NY and LA) have amazing selections of trims and notions! Many trims can be found on spools or purchased as yardage. You can also find interesting and unique trims in the scrapbook section at most craft stores.
• Tiny Lace: Cotton French Lace - I came across this shop at the Puyallup Sew Expo a few years ago, the tiny cotton laces I showed in the video are from here. They are beautiful, imported from France, definitely worth perusing this site!
• Tiny Buttons - Zipperthatdoll.com has super tiny buttons that can be sewn on with the beading needles. You can also find 1/4" buttons at most fabric/craft stores (Home Sew, JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby)
• Machine Embroidery Designs
• Beading Needles 10/12

Looking for More Purse Designs? Be sure to check out the complete collection of tiny detailed bags for 13-18" dolls at larougetdelisle! We've featured the Miche Bag several times in our Instagram posts @libertyjaneclothing @pixiefaire, it's a great tote style bag and compliments a variety of looks! There is also a brand new purse design from DKinley Designs just published this week - The Art Deco Bag. This pattern includes 3 styles and is the perfect canvas for a variety of trims!

Hi Everyone! In part 3 I have another fun Liberty Jane purse design to introduce and demonstrate! The Killara Fringe Bag For 18" Dolls is a fun project, follow along with me on the "no-sew" sew along video as I show you how to make this bag!

This bag was originally made as part of the Liberty Jane Outback Libby: Killara outfit. Inspired by the rugged styles of the Australian outback and embellished with beads to add some feminine charm, it's the perfect accessory for a young fashionista! Fringe is very much on trend this Fall - follow along as I show you how to quickly and easily create the fringe trim on this darling little bag.

Week Two task:

• Get your pattern, find your fabric and supplies, and follow along with this No-Sew sew-along tutorial! Let's make a doll purse together :) 
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Here's the tutorial video for the Jewel In The Middle Braid (Used for the maxi Dress Strap tutorial).

Hi Everyone! In part 2 we take a look at the adorable doll-size cross body purse! This is a brand new Liberty Jane pattern, it follows the same assembly as the girl size purse, but is sized perfectly for an 18" doll! You can follow the tutorial video for the step by step process and be sure to check out the new video posted here for some doll scale specific tips. 

Let's jump right in and sew up a new Liberty Jane Sew Powerful Cross Body Purse For Dolls! It is about a third of the size of the girl size purse, but it's not a straight reduction in size. We've refined it a bit to include a better balance of the fold over flap so it lays nicely when finished. This pattern also includes a second variation for the front flap panel with an additional front pocket (shown as View B). It is a beginner (View A) - intermediate (view B) level sewing pattern, teaching basic bag construction. Techniques covered include Straight Seams, Sewing with Lining Fabrics, Curves, Simple Slip Pockets, Sewing Box Pleats, and Making a Fabric Strap.

Are you ready? Let's go...

In the videos posted below, I share with you an alternate cutting method that allows you to cut a few rectangular strips to quickly cut out all the pattern pieces.

The pattern has two widths for all the pieces included - 2-1/2" and 3" wide. This makes it super easy to cut two long strips and then cut them apart into the necessary pieces. A few pieces just need to have the corners rounded and then you're off! Get the PDF Quick Cut Layout Guides (instant download for SWC members)

Week Two task:

• Get your pattern, find your fabric and supplies, and follow along with the sew-along tutorial! Let's make a doll purse together :) 
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Next Tuesday - Week 3: The Killara Fring Bag Tutorial

Hi Everyone! Let's talk about something meaningful... I love it when I find a way to use my skills and abilities to be a blessing to someone else. For many of us, sewing is a skill we've developed, a hobby that we love, and something that gives us confidence. That's great! There are so many opportunities to go one step further and use this skill in a meaningful way to bless others too! 

For this month, I wanted to share about the Sew Powerful Purse Project. This is a super fun opportunity to use your fabric stash in a creative and meaningful way! We've invited people from around the world to download the pattern, sew purses, send them in to Sew Powerful, and then they are shipped over to Zambia as part of a program designed create jobs for local women, to provide local girls with reusable feminine hygiene and the encouragement to stay in school. It's been pretty amazing to watch this little idea take flight and see so many people take ownership of the cause and make this project their personal mission! If your interested in learning more, check out the website www.SewPowerful.org as well as the Sew Powerful Purse Project facebook group, it's filled with seamstresses making purses every day - sharing their projects and encouraging others along the way!

Throughout this 4 part topic, we will go over a variety of sewing techniques used in the purse designs. 

Over the course of this 4 part topic we will cover:

• The Cross Body Purse For Girls Sew Along (Part 1)
• The Cross Body Purse For Dolls - Specific Tips and Tricks (Part 2)
• The Killara Fringe Bag (New Pattern and Tutorial) (Part 3)
• The Finishing Touches (Part 4) 

Part 1 - The first demonstration is using the brand new 2018 Sew Powerful Cross Body Purse pattern. The PDF sewing pattern is free! I've included it in the Bonuses section for you to download. It is sized for a girl/woman. It is a beginner level sewing pattern, teaching basic bag construction. Techniques covered include Straight Seams, Sewing with Lining Fabrics, Curves, Simple Slip Pockets, Sewing Box Pleats, and Making a Fabric Strap.

Note: If you're interested in adding more detail to this purse design, you can use the Flap Panel pieces from the 2015 Crossbody purse - it's still available through the Sew Powerful website.

Are you ready? Let's go...

In the videos posted below, I share with you an overview of the month-long topic and then take a deep dive into our first tutorial. These techniques are great basic skills to master! 

The pattern used for the sew-along:

• Sew Powerful Cross Body Purse For Girls (FREE) see link above.
• LJ Sew Powerful Purse For Dolls (all proceeds go to support the program, the pattern will be available on larougetdelisle later this week!)

Video Timeline:

• 0:00 - 1:18 Overview
• 1:18 - 5:57 Pattern Pieces, Fabric, Cut Pieces
• 5:57 - 8:00 Front Flap Panel
• 8:00 - 10:03 Fabric Strap
• 10:03 - 15:20 Slip Pockets
• 15:20 - 18:00 Purse Body Back
• 18:00 - 20:25 Purse Lining / Box Pleat
• 20:25 - 22:07 Purse Body
• 22:07 - 24:05 Attaching the Strap
• 24:05 - 29:29 Finishing the Purse!

Week One task:

• Get your pattern, find your fabric and supplies, and follow along with the sew-along tutorial! Let's make a purse together :) We'd love to have you join us in this program, but please don't feel obligated to donate your purse. You can sew as many purses as you like!
• Jump over the SWC Facebook Group for conversation and project sharing.

Next Tuesday - Week 2: A Closer look at the doll size version. Sewing things at a smaller scale can introduce challenges, let's solve them together!