How to make an adjustable purse strap

July 30, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, Sewing and Construction, Tutorial

An over-the-shoulder bag doesn’t always work so great when you have kids or say, you need your hands to hold something else- or nothing. Years ago, the cross-body bag made a strong comeback as has the more recent resurgence of the “belt bag” (formally known as the fanny pack). What makes these bags so great is the ability to adjust the length of the strap. Whether you want to adjust it to fit your outing, outfit or just personal strap length preference, with a quick slide of the hardware, you are ready to turn any silhouette into a cross-body and reinvigorate your bag carrying game.

Sew Bags; The Blog Tour Re-cap

Little Stitch Studio

July 14, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book, Fabrics and Textiles, Sewing and Construction, Teaching, Tutorial

I teach sewing and design because I believe that everyone possesses some innate creative ability and once you tap into that and discover your passion, it can build confidence that flows into all aspects of life.

These past few weeks, I have had to take a deep dive into my confidence reserve.

As the publication of my book drew near, I knew that it was time to begin to organize a promotional book blog tour. In order for the book to sell, people have to know about it - right? By May, sheer panic set in. Besides the fact that I am terribly introverted and likely would never own a phone, let alone leave the house given the chance, I had to ask complete strangers to read my book and to (PLEASE!) make something from it and share it with the world.

Understanding Purse Straps and Handles

Little Stitch Studio

July 03, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Sewing and Construction, Bag Making, Book, Tutorial

I am so thrilled that my blog tour week is finally here! My new book: Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More; 13 Skill-Building Projects is written as a guide, complete with patterns and step by step instructions ,to help you create the bag of your dreams. This week, a few gracious sewing friends from across the globe are generously giving us their time and sharing their thoughts and projects from my book. I just can’t wait to see what they have made.

After a lovely introduction from my friends at C&T yesterday, I thought that I would follow up today by sharing my thoughts on creating a bag that suits you as the wearer. A purse is an opportunity to show the world your personal style and the silhouette that best represents you. Which means: any old bag just won’t do. Like it or not, your purse says a lot about you. Are you a mom that has to carry everything for everyone? Are you a just the basics and cut it to the essentials? Are you out for friends with the night and carrying a fun clutch? Besides toting the essentials, a purse is also an accessory-a blank canvases that can project your mood, your favorite trend, or your aesthetic of the moment.

Since everyone is different, there are also adjustments you can make to a sewing pattern that will customize the bag perfectly to your body and individual needs to ensure that your bag is useful as well as beautiful. I’m all about customization and straps and handles are a great way to both customize and accessorize.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Little Stitch Studio

June 27, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Sewing and Construction, Bag Making, Book

The ultimate expression of my obsession with customization, begins with a beautiful, simple everyday bag. Each bag in my book, Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More was designed with this in mind. The clean lines and thoughtful details invite you, the reader, to be the designer. While you can certainly make a bag exactly as the pattern directs, if you can manage a little extra time, in addition to a small stroke of creativity, the ability to make handbags totally your own could be a serious game changer.

The fun begins when you start to break the design down to the component parts. Fabric, hardware, handles, straps and decorative accessories can be mixed and matched to create a bag that’s uniquely yours.

Sew Bags- Behind the Scenes (Seams!)

Little Stutch Studio

June 19, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book

I love, love, love hearing from all of you that have purchased my book, Sew Bags! Thank you! It makes me so very happy to hear how much you are enjoying it. This has been such a meaningful project for me to work on and I could not have done it without the help and dedication of so many talented individuals such as my publisher, Stash Books, an imprint of C&T, Kelly Burgoyne, an amazing photographer, April Mostek, book designer, editors Liz Aneloski, Debbie Rodgers and Beth Baumgartel, and Acquisitions Editor Roxane Cerda. And of course to all of you!! My readers and students who really make all that I do so meaningful.

As for the book itself, where do I start? When I set out to write the book over two years ago, I had a vision of what it might be like, both the experience of writing and what the final book would be like. While the book is so much better than I had envisioned, the actual writing process was really very difficult for me. It took me much longer to prepare each step and thoughtfully communicate clearly yet concisely what I wanted the reader to learn. (I have trouble with distraction on a good day- this project required a few overnight hotel stays and a level of concentration that I was no longer familiar with.) Teaching has kept me grounded in the beginner’s experience. The projects that they are interested in making, the questions that they ask and the troubles that they encounter along the way. I wanted to be certain that each project and step would build confidence instead of frustration. What a valuable experience this was for me! I know that since writing this book, I have become a better teacher.

Sew Bags, My New Book is Available Now!

Little Stitch Studio

June 09, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book

I’m so excited to share that my new book, Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More; 13 Skill-Building Projects, was published with C&T/ Stash Books on June 7, 2019. This book brings style and attention to designing and sewing your own bags. It features step by step instructions, along with pictures and full-sized patterns, to make 13 different purses, totes, clutches, and drawstring bags. The bags showcase current trends in handbag design-but draw on traditional sewing and construction techniques. It’s available widely at independent bookstores, online booksellers, and anywhere books are sold.

You can ORDER Sew Bags online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound, Powells or locally.

SIGNED COPIES are available through my local, independent bookstore, Prince Books, in Norfolk, VA. Prince Books ships and delivers copies too.

For INTERNATIONAL ORDERS online visit website Book Depository or check local bookshops to place a special order. For wholesale accounts, please email sales@ctpub.com to contact C&T directly.

Setting the Scene for 2019

January 01, 2019 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Bras and Swimwear, Teaching

If learning to sew is one of your goals for this new year, I have just the classes for you.

My book! Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More; 13 Skill-Building Projects

November 01, 2018 by Hilarie Dayton in Bag Making, Book

Friends, I’m so excited to share that my book, “Sew Bags: The Practical Guide to Making Purses, Totes, Clutches & More; 13 Skill-Building Projects”. This project has been two years in the making and will be published by Stash Books, in June 2019.

Aster Clutch Pattern Testing

November 11, 2016 by Hilarie Dayton in Fashion Design, Bag Making

The Aster Clutch is a PDF sewing pattern by Hilarie Dayton. This PDF sewing pattern makes a foldover clutch purse and a zipper pouch. The finished measurements are 12”x 12” for the large and 11”x 8” for the medium.

Aster Fold Over Clutch Bag and Limited Edition Clutches

August 27, 2016 by Hilarie Dayton in PDF Pattern, Bag Making

You may have noticed that I updated my etsy shop. Besides PDF sewing patterns, I am offering a few handmade items. This past week I listed several clutch bags. They are fashioned in the classic zipper foldover style. Several months ago, a dear friend called and told me that she was moving to Washington, DC for a new job. And, would I like to buy her considerable inventory of high-end decorator fabric. (Well, of course I would! ) It took me a few trips back and forth to get it all home then a week or two to catalogue and organize it.

Months later, I am finally putting it to good use. These purses are just a sampling of the great fabrics that are in my collection. More styles and options to come.

I have been busy working on yet another sewing pattern. The Aster Foldover Clutch. Yes, the very same clutch that I am offering readymade. Next week, I hope to have an e-book, step-by-step sewing pattern ready for testing. The full pattern will be offered for sale as a PDF download in my etsy shop. Don't worry, the pattern is written as a teaching pattern with step-by-step colored pictures and text.

Would you be interested in being a pattern tester?