Category Archives: Amy

How to attach a purse frame

Have you wanted to make a clutch purse but haven’t been sure about attaching the purse frame. With my recent pattern the Maddie Clutch a few of my testers said they weren’t sure how to attach it either and it was a little scary for them. They are actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

Well I finally got around to editing the video tutorial and here it is. I’d love to know what you think.

how to attach a purse frame from Amy Wyhoon on Vimeo.

If you want to try making this clutch yourself, you can find the pattern here in my Craftsystore.  You can also join my fb group here.

Emma Clutch Tote Sew Along

Last month the lovely Rachel from Barefoot Crafter helped me host a sew along for my very first bag pattern.  The Emma Clutch Tote!

I love this bag as it’s a two in one, a clutch and a tote.  It’s quick to make where the cutting and interfacing is the most time consuming.  I love that she’s versatile and shows off your favourite fabrics.  A big shout out to all those that joined in the sew along this time, I hope you had as much fun as I did and look forward to the next one!

Here are all the pretty clutches:

made by Sue from Suesews Too

made by Sue from Suesews Too

made by Kimberly by Kimberlybags

made by Kimberly by Kimberlybags

made by Megan

made by Megan

made by Kylie

made by Kylie

made by Angela

made by Angela

made by Danielle from Paisley Avenue

made by Danielle from Paisley Avenue

made by Chantell

made by Chantell

made by Debra

made by Debra

made by Rachel from Barefoot Crafter

made by Rachel from Barefoot Crafter

this one is mine!

this one is mine!

Want to make one too, find the pattern here.  Have you sewn an Emma, pop over and share it in our pattern group on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1559803090927614/

Happy bag making,

Introducing the Flirty Bag

I’m sew excited to release my new pattern, the Flirty Bag.
The Flirty Bag is a fun, stylish everyday bag that has plenty of room to fit all you need in it. Features include a magnetic closure, one zip pocket, another slip pocket and a flirty panel to show off your style and personality.
Finished size: 28cm at opening; 42cm at widest part; 30cm top to bottom of bag when flat; 67cm strap end to end

It would not have been possible without the help of my wonderful testers.  Here are their amazing bags they created from the Flirty Bag pattern.  Pop over to their facebook pages and show them some love.

1. by Alisha from 5 Hearts Studio
2. by Brinkley from Brayne Bags
3. by Jennifer
4. by Robin
5. by Melina
6. by Kathy from Kathy’s Custom Creations
7. by Rose from Sew Spoolish and IG
8. by Synthia
9. by Tanya from A Nicholl in Time
10. by Melisa from Melisa Jane
11. by Tina from The Sewing Fairy
12. by Debra
13. by Kim
14. by Stefani

You can purchase the pattern via my pattern shop as well as on craftsy.
I would love to see what you create so be sure to join our pattern lovers groupover on fb.

Happy bag making!

Review: The Sunburst Clutch pattern

Last month I decided it was about time I made me a bag and I’d been eyeing off the new Sunburst Clutch pattern by Mrs H and Pennydog Patchwork which had just been released.  Now this clutch is a collaboration of paper piecing and bag making and is a perfect introduction to both.

The paper piecing is fairly straight forward with easy to follow instructions and photos.  If you’ve been wanting to try it this is a great place to start unlike me who went head first into the koala.  I really liked that there was a list of instructions at the end to print so you don’t need to waste paper.  I often like the photos to be in colour but only print in black and white so I’ll have the ipad or phone next to me to see the picture if I get stuck.  All the instructions are very detailed with great photos to match.

I decided to add some Soft & Stable foam to my bag body.  This was the first time using it and I have to say I absolutely love it.  It’s still flexible in the bag but just adds that bit more structure than the fleece.  I also left off the interfacing as I didn’t know how structured it would be however next time I will probably use it with the foam.

Now back to the flap.  Scallops, these are the fiddly part of the whole pattern so I think that’s a win.   I don’t sew a lot of little curves so I took this step extra slowly.  I wanted to get them as round as possible.  I followed the lines on the pattern to help this.  I then carefully cut my fleece to match the scallops before attaching and I think they turned out alright.  But you know what they say – practice makes perfect so I may just need to make a few more right.

I really enjoyed making this pattern.  How pretty does my new Sunburst Clutch look!  It is the perfect size to take out to dinner and still carry everything you need while out.  You can buy the pattern here.

Review: Strictly Ballroom The Musical

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be given tickets to see Strictly Ballroom The Musical and I was over the moon.  I’d already seen it earlier in the year, but couldn’t wait to see it again!

We arrived half an hour before the show started so we got a quick bite to eat.  I’d dragged a friend along who hadn’t seen the movie and dancing wasn’t really her thing.  I was pretty sure she’d like it though.

Walking into the theatre was like walking into the dance comp.  The whole room was sparkling! The brightly covered seats, the postered walls and of course the mirror ball.

The show starts with introductions to all the dancers whilst they waltz around the stage singing Strictly Ballroom.  They then have a quick costume change (on stage) into something a little more…sparkly for the Latin championships.  If you haven’t guessed by now there was a lot of glitter in this show.

There was so much energy on stage.  It looked like the cast were having so much fun and it felt like you’re up there with them.

Some of my favourite moments:
Whenever Phoebe Panaretos (Fran) sang, her voice is ah-mazing and I loved the duet Beautiful Surprise with Thomas Lacey (Scott)
The flamenco scene before intermission.  The dancing, the vibe and oh my the voices of Natalie Gamsu and Fernando Mira.
Getting up on stage at the end with all the cast having a dance to love is in the air.  What a great way to finish off the night!
I even managed to get a couple of photos with cast members, Lachlan Martin & Jarryd Byrne (from Dancing with the Stars) thanks to my friend for snapping them.  She even had a great night.
All I can see is if you haven’t seen it, go get your tickets now.  It’s a fantastic night out with lots of sparkle, dancing & laughs.  You can find out more about Strictly Ballroom the Musical here.
And to finish on a quote from the show:
“A life lived in fear is a life half lived”