Thursday, October 13, 2016

My Entry for the PR Handbag Contest: Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag

MAYBE angle YES?
I clearly remember one time when I was looking through picture albums with my mom.  There were so many pictures of me when I was little--for the standards of that time.  She said that my great-grandfather remarked, "She is one well-documented child".  And this, my sewing friends, is one well-documented bag!
MAYBE YES FRONT
I created a Flickr album for this bag--it's in reverse chronological order, so if you only want to see the finished photos, they are at the front of the album, with construction pix toward the end.  All photos are captioned.  Depending on screen size, you may need to scroll down to see the captions.  You can use the left and right arrows on your keyboard to quickly move through the photos.  Or you can use slideshow mode by clicking on the "toggle slideshow" link in the upper right corner, but you can't see the captions, unless you use this link which launches the old-style Flickr slideshow and click on "Show Info" in the upper right corner.

Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag On my Shoulder
I've been working on my Pattern Review handbag contest entry since Sept 24, finished the bag on the Oct 9, and am planning on posting my review by noon tomorrow (Friday Oct 14), I posted my official entry tonight (10/13) which is due this Saturday night at 11:59pm EDT.

Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Composite photo PR # 4
The pattern is one I found on Instagram, the Boronia Bowler Bag by Blue Calla.  It's a downloadable PDF pattern and I recommend printing out multiple copies so you can tape it full size together and not have to cut on the fold nor trace any pieces.  Although I have sewn bags before, this was my first time installing rivets and purse feet, as well as my first time using Pellon Flex Foam, and I will be using all three again!  It is super easy to install rivets and purse feet (I used this tutorial recommended on Emmalinebags.com) which gives the bag a professional looking finish.  The Flex Foam gives really nice shape and support to the bag without being stiff or heavy.
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Interior (better?)  PR photo #2
I used black pig leather for the bottom and straps, and used a super stable double knit black and gray crosshatch fabric for the exterior, both from Kashi (Metro Textiles in NYC).  The interior is a quilted metallic brocade from Mood.com.    The interior zipper pocket subway fabric is from The City Quilter.

Zippers, rectangle rings, and purse feet are all from Botani in NYC, and the rivets and "handmade" tag are from Emmalinebags.com.

Interfacing is in abundance!  The leather and all fabric was interfaced using Fashion Sewing Supply interfacing, and there is also a piece of Pellon Peltex sewn into the bottom of the bag, as well as the Flex Foam attached to the exterior.  The Pellon Peltex and Flex Foam were from Joann's.

Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Handmade Tag
Of course I obsessed over perfecting my gray contrast topstitching!!!
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag PR composite photo # 5

Above you can see the Pellon Flex Foam, and my in-progress top-stitching.
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag ECU straps
Topstitched handles
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Strap detailing FOR BLOG
Loving these "girl with a ponytail" zippers!
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Strap Detailing

Sexy 30" zipper.
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Closed Side View

Pocket for my phone
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Patch pocket
Back of the bag
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag Back View Angled
Below are some shots of sewing the bag with the interfacing and lining installed, and then "birthing" the bag through the interior zipper pocket!
Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag: Birthing and other tricky bits
Below is the "craftermath" or the aftermath of all my samples that I practiced on during construction of this bag.  Practice really does help!  And I had to abandon my initial lining choice because it was way too thick, heavy, and off-grain to boot, so I ripped that out and started the lining over with the brocade.  Also jeans topstitching thread was way too thick for this project, and I used regular Coats and Clark thread instead.  And along the way I accidentally dented my anvil for rivet setting and had to run out to Michael's on Sunday night at 5:30pm before their 7pm closing and hope they had one in stock (they did!)

Blue Calla Boronia Bowler Bag : All the practice samples and the lining that I had to rip out because it was too heavy and bulky
All the details about this bag will be in my PR review which I will link to once I finish writing it and post it  have now been posted in my PR review!   The gallery of handbags currently entered on the PR site is here.   If you are a PR member, (joined PR prior to July 15 of this year), you can vote from Oct 18-24.  Both paying and free PR members can vote!

More pix are in  an album for this bag on Flickr--including detailed "in progress" construction photos.

Be well!

47 comments:

  1. Drop the mic. That is all! If you don't win something is very wrong.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Tanya! :)

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  2. Your bag is beautiful. You should be proud, and I hope you win. Also, where do you get your zippers? I think those girls are so cute.

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    1. Hi Angie! Thank you! I had the zippers custom made at Botani in NYC. You can basically build your own zipper there!

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  3. This turned out fabulous. Looks very designer handbag.

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    1. Thanks so much Kathy! I am loving this designer look.

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  4. I can't even. You did such an amazing job on this bag. It is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!

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  5. It's so professional. Every detail of this is just perfect. Your hard work is evident in an effortless looking way. Beautiful work!

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    1. Wow Elizabeth! Thank you so much for your comment about it looking effortless. I practiced on samples quite a lot before stitching the real deal.

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  6. LOVE. THIS. BAG!!!! Those girl with a ponytail zippers remind me of Barbie. Overall, your bag is just perfect! Good luck in the contest!!

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    1. Thank you Vanessa! You're right, the zipper pulls do resemble Barbie!

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  7. This bag is fantastic! It is a professional quality high end bag for sure. Great job Kyle - WOW!

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    1. Thank you so much Tomasa for always cheerleading me on!!

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  8. It looks marvelous. Good luck and hope you win!

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  9. This is so fantastic, I love all of it.

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  10. Now that is ONE . BEAUTIFUL . BAG !!!

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  11. Simply beautiful! You truly deserve the win with this bag, this bag is amazing!

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    1. Thank you so much for your support, Candice!!

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  12. Absolute perfection! Well done and best wishes for the competition.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words and support Jean!

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  13. Kyle - That is one AWESOME bag!! Congratulations on doing a superb job! I just ordered the pattern and am printing it as I "speak", since I guess you aren't interested in selling yours to me????? Haven't seen the other entries in the contest, but your bag is the winner in my book! Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your blog.
    Marian

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    1. Thanks so much for your support Marian! Enjoy making your bag!!

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  14. That looks like a high end professional bag, good luck in the contest!

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    1. Thanks so much Nancy! I'm excited for it!!

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  15. Really beautiful! I'm so glad you have a "handmade" tag on it, you are going to get a lot of people asking you to make one for them. Off to vote!

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    1. Oops, I can't vote yet. But I put it in my phone so I won't forget!

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    2. That is awesome Robyn! Thank you for your vote!! Yes, I have already had others ask me if I would make one for them! :)

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  16. Holy smokes!!! Kyle, this is a work of art. I've looked at every picture in amazement. I can't even wrap my head around how it all went together. You're my bag making guru!!

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    2. Thank you Duane, "bag making guru" is high praise! Does that make you my "grasshopper"? ;)

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  17. Wow. I am in awe. Bowing to the maestro of bagmaking. Well done.

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    1. Thank you Nursebennett for the high praise!

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  18. Phenomenal bag. Brava!! And I love the term "Craftermath" it is the perfect description for post project mess!

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    1. Thank you so much Meigan! I saw the term "Craftermath" on Instagram, I think. I wish there was a similar word that was more specific for sewing though.

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  19. I excitedly anticipated your entry to the contest, and you certainly did not disappoint. Good luck!

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    1. Yay! I'm happy to hear that I did not disappoint!

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    1. Thank you Pam! I'm kind of amazed at myself!

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  21. Beautifully made.. Awesome Job !

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    1. Thank you so much Sheila! I'm so proud of it!

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  22. Awesome job! Plus, I see you won!!! Congrats for a job well done.

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  23. So all the point which as you mention i am totally agreed.
    Thanks for your kind information.
    goldenslot

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