The Rachel Tote By Tuesday Nights Sewing

Melissa at Tuesday Nights Sewing will release her newest bag pattern, Rachel, today.  It's a lovely small tote bag, perfect for carrying your device and some files.  It's going to be my summer professional development classes bag.  It was my first real experience using vinyl, and I loved it!  I'm going to have to add more vinyl to my stash.  The directions and pattern are very easy to follow and it's short and a pretty quick sew.  I was able to complete it in three evenings of cutting and sewing, it could easily be completed in half a day.

Be sure to head to Tuesday Nights Sewing this afternoon to get your copy of the Rachel Tote Bag!

Aurora Crossbody

I had the privilege of testing the Aurora Crossbody bag for Tuesday Nights Sewing.  The best news is that this pattern is a freebie from Melissa of Tuesday Nights Sewing. It's a great little bag with a large pocket on the outside under the flap closure and two inside pockets.  The strap is adjustable.  My daughters loved it and it was just perfect for them.  I think this is a great bag for when you need something small.  It would be perfect for a tween or teen.

You can get a full written tutorial on the Aurora Crossbody bag here and you can download the pattern for free at craftsy here.

Here is my finished bag:

My Current Bag

I need to stop finishing items at night so I can get good outside pictures!  ...Or, wait till the next day to use or ship the items and take pictures. ;)  This is the bag I am currently using myself.  I especially love that although the outside gives the impression of super fullness, the lining is not full and makes it very easy to find things inside.  It has four open pockets in the lining just deep enough to reach in and get what I need.  I do miss having a zippered section though. 

Della Wallet Clutch from Swoon Patterns

This is the lovely Della wallet from Swoon Patterns.  It was really quite easy to sew up.  It was my first wallet sew and I really love the design.  I know it's difficult to see the pockets as I didn't put any cards or cash in to show them.  Each side of the identical with one long pocket in back for cash or check book and 4 card pockets.  Behind each set of open slot pockets, there is a large zippered pocket.  The zippered pockets are large enough to hold the newer, larger cell phones.  You have one pocket for your phone and another for change or other larger loose items you want to carry with you.  This wallet is perfect to become a clutch when you just need a little something to carry your necessities along with you.  

Susie Zippered Pouch for a Swap

This fun little pouch uses this tutorial: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CU6CwzfoTc 

and free pattern:

https://www.pattydoo.de/en/patterns/zippered-pouch-susie from Pattydoo.  

It's the Susie zippered pouch.  I created this for a zippered pouch swap with the Crafty Gemini Quilt Club. 

New Projects

I've been posting more to my facebook page and have been neglecting to post here on the blog.  So, I decided I had better do that right away!  So, I'm putting together a few posts that will release over the next few days.

These four totes I did as Easter bags for my nieces and nephew.  My daughters were great to model them for me.  I have my own children's bags nearly completed, but they didn't get quite done in time for Easter for them.  They are excited to have them for piano books after spring break though.  I used a stitch and flip method on the outer bag and inserted a zippered pocket, open pocket and crayon holding pockets into the lining of each bag.  I plan to get a little tutorial with dimensions up on the blog soon.

Welcome New Friends

To our new friends joining us from FlapJack, Welcome!  I'm slowly adding new bag patterns and color schemes to the collection I have available.  Please visit the shop button above to see what is currently available.  If you have something specific in mind, feel free to order the custom option or email me at dillydabbles@gmail.com.  Thanks so much for visiting! Also note, I'm in the midst of updating the shop, but it's taking longer than I anticipated.  So, I restored the previous shop and will upload the update when it's ready.

Bags, Bags and More Bags

I had no idea how popular these bags would be!  I've been carrying one all summer because my larger Bow and Pockets bag just wasn't needed during the summer.  I didn't need to take books and papers back and forth from school and home.  It has been a great bag, especially along with my Thirty-One wallet.  The wallet has a place for my cards, coins and cash along with a pocket for my phone.  I just throw my wallet, sunglasses and keys in the bag and I'm ready for a quick summer outing or errands.  Here's a few examples of the bags I've made this summer.  Until August 4, you can get a bag, including shipping for $24.95.  After that, the price will be $29.95.  So visit our store and order your bag before this special price is over. 

(These bags all have new homes, but visit the store to see what is currently available.  I'm also happy to fill special orders with specific colors, although I can't custom fill specific fabric patterns)

Thoughts and Healing: The Value of Hand-Crafted

No doubt it's been a long time since posting, nearly a year.  I thought it was time to give this a go again.  I'll not only be posting items for sale, but other creations I make for fun, for myself, friends and family.  I'm always happy to consider special orders, so if you see something you like, feel free to inquire.  

I've been thinking this week about the quality and price of handmade items.  Sometimes, it seems we forget the time, money and effort that goes into making a hand crafted, one of a kind item.  I also create digital resources for educators and it's a little bit easier to price those items lower because I can sell many of the same item.  Handcrafting is different though.  I can't make one bag and sell it over and over, I can sell it once.  

So, when you consider a purchase from a hand-crafter, please keep in mind the price compared to the cost of resources, time and talent that went into creating such a beautiful piece.  

I created this quilt this past spring as a tribute to my father in law who became terminally ill and passed away one year ago from a brain tumor.  It was a healing experience for me and for my husband to see the love and work that went into creating it.  The quilt is a result of a Mystery Quilt experience from Heather Spence to support cancer.org.  Melissa from Sew Shabby Quilting quilted it for me and as soon as it's bound and labeled, it will be my son's.  A dear remembrance token of his grandpa.  I'll post a picture of the full quilt in its finished state when it's all done. 

What power hand-crafting can have on the soul who creates and the soul who receives. 

Orange Bow and Pockets Bag

Great color combination for fall.  Don't leave yourself out as you shop for Back to School!  

Grab this bag and you'll be stylin' for back to school. 

Get your bag here. 

WELCOME!

Welcome to Dilly Dabbles Designs!  We're opening our doors for business this weekend.  Right now, we're just getting the word out.  We'll have a Grand Opening Event in August.  To ensure that you hear about all the news, products and events at Dilly Dabbles Designs, please follow us and enroll in our email newsletter.  All links are in the right sidebar.

To celebrate this opening, we're giving away this handmade "Bows and Pockets" bag, handmade by me.  It's the perfect bag with 6 outer pockets and 6 inner pockets.  It has a magnetic snap closure.  This is the bag I use all the time and constantly get compliments.  Those who have purchased this bag also give it rave reviews.  In fact, one customer plans to purchase several to coordinate with the seasons.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post to enter.

Please check out our shop that is 20% off through Wednesday (with a minimum $10 purchase).  We'll continue to add new products to our offerings.  If you'd like to tell us the types of products you'd like to see in our store, please fill out this survey.

Welcome, and thanks for giving Dilly Dabbles Designs, your local online fabric shop, a great beginning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway