This bundle includes both my Retro Rucksack and Penfield Pocket Tote, along with dozens of other patterns, ebooks, and courses—all for$29.97! (But with all of those patterns, it’s worth over $1000!)
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a commission on your purchases at no additional cost to you. Thanks!)
We’ve really enjoyed the bundle as a family. My girls have different crafting skills and interests than me, so they’ve been able to use things I would have overlooked. I’ve also tried a few new things, and I haven’t even gotten to that weaving course yet! We have plenty of projects to keep us busy all winter!
I just published several Christmas designs in my Spoonflower shop in a collection called “Farmhouse Christmas Joy“. It’s perfect for holiday home decor and gifts!
If you don’t sew, but stumbled across this post and want to order tea towels that are finished, you can find tea towels (aqua snowflakes, red joy,charcoal joy) and many other kitchen linens and home goods on Roostery.
Would you like to improve the quality & style of the bags you are sewing? If you are going to take the time to make your own bags, you need to invest in high-quality bag making supplies and fabrics. The best materials aren’t usually available at the craft store chains, but you can find great bag making supplies on Etsy!
Did you know there are hundreds of Esty shops that sell sewing supplies? I always sort the search results to find shops in the US. Most of them are small family businesses, so you can feel good about supporting them. I order from many of these shops on a regular basis!
To sew durable & stylish bags, you need professional supplies like brass hardware, waxed canvas, and leather accents. These materials can really elevate your bags, taking them from “homemade” to “handcrafted”.
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!)
Here Are 8 Stylish Bag-Making Supplies You Can Find in Etsy shops:
This is my go-to zipper source! They have high-quality YKK zippers in every option you can imagine. I really love the modern autumn color palette on this set of 9″ zippers. These would be great for zipper pouches. Shipping is always fast and they usually include extra goodies in your order!
Brass hardware really elevates your bag quality and adds a cool vintage vibe. I use hardware from The Buckle Guy for my Retro Rucksacks. The prices are great and there are tons of size and color options.
Leather accents can really make a difference on your handmade bags. There are lots of options on Etsy for straps, but Sew Hungry Hippie is a shop run by a fellow bag pattern designer and she has other great patterns and fabric you should check out too!
Custom tags are a great way to add a professional finish to your bags. If you sell at craft fairs, these awesome laser cut leather tags could add value and rustic sophistication to your handmade goods.
I love the idea of a colorful accent on a plain canvas or leather bag. These suede bag tassels would add an upscale boho vibe to a simple slouchy purse.
Waxed canvas is my favorite material to use for handmade bags. It’s durable and easier to sew than leather. This shop has more color options than I’ve seen anywhere else! Plus, they carry waxed denim and waxed linen—something I haven’t tried but will soon!
This beautiful woven cord from East Village Supply could be used for embellishments. Two or three strands together would make a really unique strap on a bag. You might also find some pretty tassels and charms for your zipper pulls in their shop!
Brass spring snaps can also add a really professional touch to your bags. You don’t need expensive tools to apply then, just the setter above. For a helpful spring snap application tutorial, read this post from Anna at Noodlehead.
As always, pattern testers are amazing! They really help clarify instructions and perfect the pattern. The Flower City Potholders pattern is better because of their hard work and ideas.
They have some great creative twists, with patchwork and paper pieced sections. I hope they inspire you to try the potholders and add your own creative ideas!
Here are a few Flower City Potholders made by my testers:
This beautiful set was made by Colleen. Her quilting lines are perfect! You can see her other sewing projects @skootchover on Instagram.
Margareth made her square potholders with some beautiful paper pieced designs from Lori Holt’s Farm Girl Vintage quilt book. (that’s an affiliate link) And then she used some hexie flowers from her unfinished project pile to embellish the double-pocket potholder, which you can see @maggiemadebags on Instagram.
Kristin made a lovely set of coordinating potholders and oven mitt. I love the autumn tones and contrast binding she chose. She also took a great side photo of the oven mitt so you can see the thumb joint. You can see more of her pretty sewing projects @watersidehearth on Instagram.
Daryl is always quick to finish her sewing projects. I love how she matched the fabric to her bowls perfectly! This is the best part about making your own kitchen linens…you can always find the perfect match! See more of Daryl’s sewing @patchoulimoonstudio on Instagram.
Julie used this “eye-catching” fabric for a fun take on potholders. I like the contrasting white binding on the dark fabric. You can see more of Julie’s makes (clothes and kids stuff too!) @isewdoncjesuis on Instagram.
Margaret used a solid blue linen with some pink and orange accents. You can see her lovely quilting and sewing projects @mcglen on Instagram.
Laura made these pretty potholders that will add some fun color to her kitchen. Laura shares her sewing projects @stitchesbylaura on Instagram.
Susi sewed her potholders using some fun scraps she had left! Maybe the soccer mom in your life would enjoy a themed oven mitt like this one. Susi shares more projects @junglepearls on Instagram.
Danette tried out the extra patchwork directions and was able to use up some coordinating scraps to make these happy potholders! She shares more projects at Nettie Sews.
