Purses Dominate the Top Ten

Posted on January 11, 2025 by Penny Haren

Purse patterns make up six of the top ten patterns this week. One apron, one table runner, one jelly roll rug and ONE quilt round out the top 10. Maybe calling yourself a quilt shop is an understatement! Your customers love instant gratification and purses are just the ticket! My 17 year old granddaughter wanted me to teach her how to make purses and totes for her friends. What a great way to introduce the next generation to sewing and quilting!

And guess what! All six purse patterns are by Annie Unrein of By Annie. These are quality patterns by an experienced sewist so even beginners are sure to be successful!

CLAM UP

Easy and fun to make, these bags, in five sizes, are perfect for storing and carrying make-up, sewing supplies, tech gear, and more.

The pattern includes complete step-by-step instructions for making the bags with or without quilted fabric and for adding optional iron-on vinyl laminate to make the inside easy to wipe clean. Double-slide zippers and handy grab tabs make the bags easy to open wide and attached side panels prevent contents from falling out. An optional strap with swivel hook may also be added. When empty, the bags nest inside one another to save space.

Finished sizes of bags are as follows:
Extra Small (XS): 2.75in (H) x 3.5in (W) x 2-5/8in (D)
Small (S): 3.5in (H) x 4.5in (W) x 3-3/8in (D)
Medium (M): 4.25in (H) x 5.5in (W) x 4in (D)
Large (L)): 4-7/8in (H) x 6.5in (W) x 4-5/8in (D)
Extra Large (XL): 5.5in (H) x 7.5in (W) x 5in (D)

TWO BIG TOTES

Carry it all with Two Big Totes! This versatile pattern includes instructions for creating two spacious totes—large and extra-large—perfect for everything from beach days and grocery runs to weekend getaways and sewing retreats. The wide openings of these totes make it easy to pack and access your essentials, while a variety of slip and zippered pockets inside and out keep your items organized.

Sturdy, over-the-shoulder handles provide comfortable carrying, and the reinforced base offers added durability for heavy loads. The easy-to-install zipper closure keeps contents secure, and when opened, it falls flat against the tote for full access to the interior. Whether you need a dependable travel companion or a roomy everyday bag, Two Big Totes have you covered!

Finished Sizes:
Large: 13½””H x 16½””W x 6½””D
Extra-Large: 16″”H x 22½””W x 8½””D

ZIP IT UP 2.0

Available in two sizes, you’ll stay organized with Zip It Up 2.0 organizers! An outer zippered closure keeps everything secure, while the quilted exterior pockets on the front and back provide ample space for tablets, e-readers, or other larger items.

These streamlined cases are designed to open flat for easy access. Inside, you’ll find a combination of single and double pockets made from vinyl or mesh, allowing for clear visibility of contents. Elastic straps in the center add an extra layer of organization, perfect for storing tools, accessories, or gadgets. Whether you need a daily organizer, a first aid kit, or a project bag, Zip It Up 2.0 has you covered with its versatile design and convenient features.

Finished Sizes:
Small: 8½””H x 10″”W x 1″”D closed, 10″”H x 18″”W open
Large: 11½””H x 14″”W x 1″”D closed, 14″”H x 24″”W open

DROP ZONE

Multipurpose zippered pouches in three sizes open to create shallow trays that provide great visibility and easy access to contents. Use them to store and carry personal items or a variety of art, office, and craft supplies. Grab tabs make opening and closing easy. The optional hardware on one end may be used to attach a strap or other object.

The pattern includes complete step-by-step instructions for bags in three sizes:
Small: 2½””H x 5″”W x 5″”D when open, 2½””H x 5″”W x 2½””D when closed
Medium: 2½””H x 7″”W x 5″”D when open, 2½””H x 7″”W x 2½””D when closed
Large: 3″”H x 9″”W x 6″”D when open, 3″”H x 9″”W x 3″”D when closed

SIDE HUSTLE

Tired of bulky purses or overstuffed pockets? Meet Side Hustle! This versatile and comfortable crossbody sling bag is perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle. Designed to fit close to your body, it offers secure and easy access to essentials, whether you’re hiking, shopping, or traveling. Its sleek profile even allows you to wear it under a jacket.

With three zippered compartments, Side Hustle keeps your wallet, phone, passport, and other personal items organized and secure. Wear it crossbody, on your back, or around your waist for total hands-free convenience. Plus, customize with two strap styles and choose from two sizes—small or standard—to suit your needs. Side Hustle is your ideal companion for every adventure! It makes a great gift, too!

Finished sizes:
Small: 7″” to 12″”H x 2″” to 7¼”” W
Standard: 7″” to 12″”H x 2″” to 8½””W

ON THE GO 2.0

Small but mighty, On the Go 2.0 is the perfect compact bag for travel or everyday use. Designed with multiple pockets and a secure zipper closure, it keeps your essentials organized and easily accessible. The adjustable, detachable strap lets you wear it over the shoulder or as a crossbody bag, offering versatility and comfort.

Keep your passport, money, or name badge secure in the combination zippered/slip pocket on the flap. Lift the flap to reveal a discreet pocket for your ID and credit cards, perfect for quick access when traveling or shopping. The deep back pocket provides space for your phone, boarding pass, or glasses, ensuring everything you need is within reach. The interior compartment features three credit card slots and ample space for an e-reader, small wallet, and other must-haves. Compact yet spacious, On the Go 2.0 fits all your essentials without weighing you down.

Finished Size: 8″”H x 6″”W x 2″”D

There are Add-on Videos™ available for these patterns. The videos are specially designed to support specific parts of the patterns and help customers learn our best techniques. It doesn’t replace the pattern – it will enhance their sewing experience. To support local quilt shops, related paper patterns include a coupon for the value of the Add-on Video™. This is a $5.00 value. Customers can then use the coupon to get the video for free on the ByAnnie.com website.

Visit our website to see all of the patterns and accessories from By Annie

New from By Annie

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Cindy Abdoo

These are three new patterns By Annie and “reboots” of two favorites! You know if they are By Annie, they are quality through and through! Minimal supplies and just a little bit of time are all you need to make this simple wallet in three versions: one pocket, two pocket, and three pocket.

Use them to organize and carry cash, credit cards, loyalty cards, coupons, and more. Tuck in a gift card as a perfect gift for anyone on your list! The wallets are sized to fit in a pocket or small purse and have a flap with a hook & loop closure for secure storage.

Carry all the essentials in this streamlined wallet/purse in two sizes. Each purse features a flap that folds over and closes easily with hidden magnetic snaps. Multiple pockets inside and out make organization easy and are sized to carry everything from money and credit cards to a phone or checkbook.

A slip pocket on the exterior back is perfect for quick access to a phone, keys, shopping list, or other small items.Inside are several additional pockets: a small zippered pocket for coins, makeup, or other small items; a larger zippered pocket for currency or other larger items you want to keep safe and secure; and an even larger slip pocket which is perfect for a phone or checkbook!

Hidden between the interior zippered pockets and the slip pocket is another small compartment — it’s a good spot for a shopping list or keys! And beyond the slip pocket is another hidden pocket unit with slots to hold credit cards, room keys, loyalty cards, cash, and more.

Use the adjustable, detachable strap to carry the purse over the shoulder, crossbody, or around the waist. Or detach the strap and carry it as a clutch. Extra-easy to make, assembly of these stylish purses involves no quilting and NO bindings.

Hit the courts in style with this backpack designed to carry rackets, balls, gear, and more. It’s perfect for anyone who travels or has an active lifestyle. You’ll love its large easily-accessible interior. Slip and zippered pockets plus expanding dividers organize everything from personal needs to water bottles. Carry with quick-grab handles or use the adjustable padded straps to carry as a backpack. A trolley sleeve on back makes travel extra easy!

NOTE: This project has many pieces and multiple layers so is recommended for intermediate to advanced sewists using a sewing machine that can handle bulk. Courtside is an involved project that makes a great class for intermediate to advanced sewists. Students need a machine that can handle bulk, so it won’t be appropriate for many small take-to-class machines.

IMPORTANT:
We recommend that students read the pattern and watch the Add-on Videos before coming to class. To make best use of class time, we also recommend that they come to class with everything cut out and labeled for their project and that they complete the basic steps to cut and quilt the fabrics for the project.

So, they should complete all of step I. Cut and Quilt on pages 2 and 3 BEFORE coming to class.

Pretty and practical, these zippered bags with side handles and diagonal borders are quick and easy to make. The pattern includes complete instructions for bags in three sizes. They make great gifts!

SMALL: This smart bag will carry your most important beauty supplies or other personal items and will fit easily in many purses or bags.

MEDIUM: Not too small and not too big, this bag fits neatly into a larger purse or your favorite tote and will carry and protect a variety of supplies.

LARGE: For more than the basics, this spacious bag holds bottles, brushes, and more. Use it to organize a diaper bag or use more masculine fabrics to make a great toiletry bag for a guy.

Ditty Bags 2.0 is an update of our popular Ditty Bags pattern which was originally released in 2012. In addition to greatly improving the illustrations, we updated the instructions to make assembly easier and included instructions for working with directional fabrics. We put handles on both ends and changed the border to a diagonal border, adding the option of embellishing the border with decorative ribbon. We slightly tweaked some of the measurements and improved the process of attaching the Bag Sides to make a bag that ends up nice and square and stands up easily.

Carry lunch (or daily needs) in style in these compact yet roomy bags! Each features a zip-around, gusseted closure and sturdy base. Outer slip pockets and interior mesh pockets hold an ice pack, napkins, utensils, and more. ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable gives great stability, provides insulation for contents, and ensures that the bag will look great after repeated use/laundering.

The bags are also perfect for storing an iron at home or carrying it to class. The small bag will hold a mini iron such as the Oliso Mini and the large will fit many standard home irons. Be sure to measure your iron before sewing.

Out to Lunch 2.0 is an update of our popular Out to Lunch pattern which was originally released in 2016. In addition to improving the illustrations, we added a second size, updated the instructions to make assembly easier, improved the process of attaching the side panels to each side, and
added hardware to the handles which gives the option of attaching a carrying strap.

New Cut Loose Press® Purse

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Cindy Abdoo

This darling tote showcases a collection of assorted five-inch squares. Stabilizing the bag with Soft and Stable maintains the shape of the bag. An added bonus? It also accentuates the quilting on the bag. This 14-inch square bag is 8-inches wide, it is large enough to hold all of your goodies whether you are packing for the beach or a quilt retreat!

The Box Bottom and Bows Tote designed by Pamela Periera is a perfect choice for a class. The body of the bag can be made with an pre-cut pack of 5-inch squares. Showcase some coordinates that they can choose for the bows, handles and lining and you are ready to teach!

We all know that not all pre-cuts measure to the correct size so she recommends using the Creative Grids 5-1/2 inch square to trim squares if needed, or they can cut their own from fabric they have on hand. The five-inch square is easily defined on the ruler.

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 5-1/2in Square

Piecing the squares together is fast and easy. If their seam allowances are off a little bit, it is easy to adjust the bottoms and lining to fit. Even beginners will be successful.

The bag is lined with Soft and Stable which gives it that incredible body so it can stand on its own.

Soft and Stable White 100% Polyester Foam Stabilizer 36in x 58in

Chaco Liners have been around forever but your customers may not know that they now have a pen version which fits to the shape of your hand. Pamela recommends white but if they are using light and dark fabrics, silver is a good choice because it shows up on everything!

Everything is in stock so schedule your class today!

What’s New from by Annie

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Penny Haren

Annie designed Bosom Buddy specifically for their #SewPink Initiative, their annual event to promote breast cancer awareness. Get your friends and guild members started with this low-priced printed version of the pattern. Each package includes 10 individual patterns* for easy sharing. The patterns are printed in full color on glossy letter stock.

If you, or someone you love, have had surgery for breast cancer — or other treatments that affect the chest or stomach area — this soft, comfortable cushion will be so appreciated. This simple project makes wearing a seat belt more comfortable: Design spreads pressure of the belt over a larger area and can be worn on shoulder or lap portion of the seat belt. It features double layers of foam padding. The sleeve wraps around the belt and is easily adjusted.

This Face Mask pattern has elastic (or fabric) ties on top and bottom to help keep the mask snug against the face and can be adjusted for comfortable wearing.

It has pleats on each side for expansion. A flexible wire inserted at the top of the mask allows the wearer to shape the mask to fit more closely around the nose. Their are instructions for three sizes.

For more information about protection from the novel coronavirus, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

IMPORTANT: These are non-medical masks for non-medical personnel. Homemade masks are not guaranteed nor intended to protect you from specific contagious diseases, fine particles, or other contaminants. Always check with appropriate authorities for your intended use.

We are aware that healthcare facilities have requested homemade masks during the COVID-19 crisis. This pattern may not meet their specifications. Please review their requirements before making masks for their use.

Want to add a filtering material to the mask? Annie has you covered:

Lightweight and breathable, this top-quality filtering material is perfect for face masks. Here are the specs:

Non-woven spun-bond polypropylene
1.25 ounce per square yard (on par with most surgical masks)
20 inches wide
Washing: Machine Wash/Tumble Dry

This material has a melting point of approximately 320 degrees. Do NOT use iron directly on the mask filter material. If you must iron your project, be sure to use a low heat setting and a pressing sheet or other heat barrier.

Annie recommends using this filter material in conjunction with tightly-woven quilting cottons for a stylish design and good quality filtration. It is also available in five yard cuts.

Lightweight and breathable, this top-quality filtering material is perfect for face masks.

Non-woven spun-bond polypropylene
1.25 ounce per square yard (on par with most surgical masks)
20 inches wide
Washing: Machine Wash/Tumble Dry

We recommend using this filter material in conjunction with tightly-woven quilting cottons for a stylish design and good quality filtration.

This material has a melting point of approximately 320¿. Do NOT use iron directly on the mask filter material. If you must iron your project, be sure to use a low heat setting and a pressing sheet or other heat barrier.

Everything is due to arrive the first week in November.

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Purses Dominate the Top Ten

New from By Annie

New Cut Loose Press® Purse

What’s New from by Annie