pins and needles | surprise sewing challenge... / LBG STUDIO

Earlier this year I received an email from Pins and Needles asking if I'd like to participate in their first ever 'Surprise Sewing Challenge'. Intrigued, I said yes and soon after received a package full of sewing notions in the mail!

The premise....several sewers/crafters were sent these fun mystery packages with instructions inside to create something original {garment, home dec, or accessory} using at least 2 "ingredients" from our mystery boxes. We could also include up to 3 of our own "ingredients". The results of our challenge are posted over at Pins and Needles and ready for votes! The project with the most votes wins $100 to donate to a charity of their choice. Click here to vote :)

I decided to make a bag...big surprise, right? I really loved the bold, graphic Alexander Henry print included in my mystery box and accented it with a solid red also from Pins and Needles. From my own stash, I added a neutral canvas for the lining, a metal zip, and a bit of suede lacing for the zipper pull. I sort of made up a pattern as I went along. There were several "make it work" moments in the process of making this bag! It was my first time doing a recessed zipper and I really like how that turned out. If I had it to do over again, I'd make the bag less wide and tweak the overall shape a bit but I learned lots working on this project!

Make sure to go here and vote!!! Thanks :)

13 comments

Jessica at Me Sew CrazySeptember 21, 2012 at 10:02 AM
I adore this! The contestants you are up against are incredible, your entry is awesome. Well done!
AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:09 AM
You did an awesome job! That will be a really good carry all.
KristaSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Oh wow, I am in love with this bag! Everything about it is perfect. Must go hunt down that AH print. I'll head over and vote.
Molly White Teaching TechieSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Love it! This is my favorite bag shape and I can't for the life of me figure out how to recreate it with the right proportions. Any chance you'd make a pattern of the pieces????
AnnaSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:35 AM
um, yeah, do you know how talented you are????!!! I love the shape of the bag, I think it's perfect. so this will be your next pattern right?!?????
AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Ohhh. I really love that shape! Awesome bag. This really should be your next pattern! I would totally make a bag like this!
Erin ASeptember 21, 2012 at 1:24 PM
I love this bag, it's wonderful!!

New follower, found you through the competition. Nice to meet you! I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your work!!
MoodyCatCraftsSeptember 21, 2012 at 4:54 PM
Well done! I love the little flashes of red. I would love to do a competition like this to get the crafty juices flowing!
kristinSeptember 21, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Love it!! Voted for you. :)
annSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:26 PM
I did my sewist's duty and voted , in secret (Shhhhh...don't tell. I voted for you) I love this bag. You thinkin' of a tutorial , maybe, perhaps, just might hhhmmm, yeah . you know you wanna. or a pattern ?

)
pasqueflowerSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:54 AM
Love your bag! I voted.
SuzyMcQSeptember 22, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Your bag is amazing and just what I have been looking for forever! The size, the shape and the zipper, ah, the ability to close a bag, it's perfect!

I'll vote for you, but, please, please, consider making a pattern!!!
Vanessa HewellSeptember 22, 2012 at 12:13 PM
yep, a pattern will be in the works sometime after I return from Sewing Summit!