GIVEAWAY TIME!!! Be sure you read to the end of the blog for your chance to win this Anthropologie inspired bag!
It all started when I found a few cute Anthropologie inspired bags online. I thought, "Hey, these look easy enough! I could sew one of these for my weekly project." Immediately, a problem arose: I have no idea how to sew.
So Friday evening, I pulled my sewing machine out from the closet and spent three hours trying to figure out how to make the thread come out. I seriously was about to throw the bobbin case against the wall. I had NO idea how all of it was supposed to work, and teaching myself at 11 o'clock at night might not have been the best idea I've ever had. But then, with the help of my very smart husband, it finally started sewing stitches somewhere around 12:30. At this point, I was determined. I was going to figure this out, and I was going to do it before I went to sleep.
Well, sort of. I had some problems with the bobbin tension initially, and a super precious friend of mine from church who's a quilting genius helped me troubleshoot what might be causing--in my words--loopy threads on the bottom of the stitch. (Thanks Mrs. Linda!) After tightening the bobbin case and fiddling around with it, I was finally able to get it to work, and soon thereafter realized I love sewing.
Seriously, like--if you haven't tried sewing, you need to. If I can do it, and I had trouble even getting thread on the bobbin initially, then anyone can.
Here's a link the pattern I used. I diverted from it a bit... I made mine reversible (not intentionally at first--ha!) and I also didn't do the piping because that was too hard for my current skill level. Note that the original Anthro bag cost almost $500!!! My version cost somewhere around $5 because I found all of these fabrics on clearance.
http://www.thelittleappleseed.com/2011/03/anthro-knock-off-bag-with-printable.html
This is her bag in comparison with the Anthro one:
As it turns out, even the pleats were way easier than I expected. All you have to do is pin the material to create the pleat:
Here's my finished purse!
And the inside, which can be the outside if I flip it around...
Don't you just love Anthropologie stuff? I know I do, and a chance to make it at home is not only fun but also cost effective. I hope this encourages you to try the pattern yourself!
Because I had so much fun creating this bag, I decided to make another one to give away this week. So if you want to enter to win, just leave a comment letting me know what DIY projects you're hoping to create this year, or, if you're not crafty, let me know why you'd like the purse. I'll announce the winner Wednesday, so be sure to check back! Do leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you win. And spread the word that the contest is on!
One more look at the giveaway purse... I just can't wait to see who wins it!
