Today I am super excited to share with you my version of Ellens Esplanade, I have sewn up the bag for my sister-in-law as a Christmas gift. I am taking part of one fun large blog tour with LOTS of prizes, but more about that later.
This is the first time I have made a Chris W bag, as a major player in the PDF bag world I am delighted to make one of her designs. Her wide range of PDF bags mean there is one that will suit you. You may remember I bought the fabric when I visited the Great British Sewing Bee Live exhibition.
I don’t know about you but when I make a bag I find the cutting out and ironing of interfacing a little daunting/boring… it takes a while. Accurate cutting is important for the finished result but I would rather be sewing any day!
My initial strap was a little too wide for my bag fittings, with the prospect of making a new fractionally thinner strap (accurate cutting this time!) I was delighted to see this jazzy strap tutorial.
What do you think?
My sister in law is returning to work following a career break to have children, this is going to be her work bag. For her cycling to work, the recessed zipper will be very helpful, nothing is going to fall out! I am pleased with the pop of pink, I hope she likes it.
I enjoyed sewing up the bag with the detailed instructions, I have to confess I avoided the suggestion of cap rivets. Plus I have started on handmade Christmas gifts, woohoo!! I am so pleased with the bag I am tempted to make myself one:)
So onto the prizes, and discounts running for the duration of the tour. There are two giveaways happening, one enormous one for the tour (a big thanks to our sponsors) plus just for this blog Chris is kindly giving away two copies of Ellens Esplanade bag.
Tour Discounts
- ChrisW Designs is taking 20% off all patterns until end of day (Australian Central Standard Time) November 21. Code GlobalBlogTour17 (applied automatically with this link. Buy without fear: If you purchase during the tour and then win a pattern, your purchase price will be refunded.
- Handbag Hardware Australia (aff link) is offering a 10% discount for the duration of the tour. Use code: CWD10. (Excludes interfacing and Emmaline Bling.)
- Bobbin Girl has a 10% discount using code BLOGTOUR17. (Not to be combined with any other discount or rewards points.)
- Gold Star Tool is taking 15% off for our tour readers. Use code chriswdesigns.
- Zipit (aff link) is also offering a 10% discount on shop items. Use code ChrisWDesigns.
Giveaway
Prizes:
- 3 digital patterns from ChrisWDesigns
- 7 yard bundle of WovenFuse interfacing from Got Interfacing?
- $25 USD voucher from Hawthorne Threads
- Sugar and Spice hardware kit from Handbag Hardware Australia (aff link)
- Ellen’s Esplanade hardware kit from Handbag Hardware Australia (aff link)
- $50 CAD shop voucher from MM Cork Supply
- $50 USD shop voucher from Sew Sweetness
- $30 CAD shop voucher from Emmaline Bags
- $100 USD gift card from Gold Star Tool
- $30 USD gift certificate from Zipit (aff link)
- $50 USD gift certificate from Fat Quarter Shop
Tour Schedule
(Australia Central Standard Time)
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Sunday, November 12
- Tour Launch on ChrisW Designs Blog
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Monday, November 13
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Tuesday, November 14
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Wednesday, November 15
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Thursday, November 16
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Friday, November 17
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Saturday, November 18
- Tour Docking and Giveaway on Flying by the Seam of my Pants
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Tuesday, November 21
- Giveaway winners announced on all the blogs:
ChrisW Blog, Glitter in my Coffee, Michelle’s Creations, Flying by the Seam of my Pants, Serial Bagmakers, Tiger in a Tornado, Vanaehsa, Judith Stitches and More, Doctora Botones, Sewsewilse, Suck It Up Buttercup, Vicky Myers Creations, Marvelous Auntie M, inspinration, Fée bricolo, Trisha’s Craft Corner
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If you have made it this far, congratulations!! I have two copies of Ellens Esplanade bag pattern to giveaway. To enter simply pin one of my tutorials and comment on this page to let me know which tutorial you have pinned:) A winner will be picked at random on November the 21st. Good luck.
The winners picked out of a bowl by my son for Ellens Esplanade are Sharon A and Hjordis, thank you all for the pins.
PS I was kindly given the bag pattern for the tour
I will try to rememer to pop back for the blog hop later. I am in the middle of doing a papercraft blog post right now but will try to remember. If your sister in law doesn’t like it I put my hands up to have it lol! It’s gorgeous and I bet she will love it as much as I do. Awesome sewing Vicky, your sister in law should be very grateful Karen
Thanks Karen, I’m pleased with the result. Hope your papercraft post flows:)
Your fabric choice is beautiful. Did any of it get “borrowed” from your family?
Ha ha, not this time!! I treated myself to new fabric:)
Love your fabric. I’d have a hard time parting with it if it came from TGBSB. Yup, I’d want to keep it for myself. Love your bags and those straps! Aren’t they so much more fun this way?
I don’t think I will make a plain strap ever again!
A beautiful bag for a Christmas present. I’m sure she will love it. I pinned the strap tutorial on my pinterest board, what a great idea.
Thank you Karen.
You have lots of tutorials to choose from. I picked the How to make a lined Box Bag.
Thank you Carol.
I pinned the DIY Denim Box Bag – Box Bag Tutorial. Hope I can win the Ellens Esplanade bag pattern
Good luck – I will be placing all names in a bag and asking one of my children to pull two names out.
I pinned the Large Zippered Tote and I definitely need to try both these patterns!
Thank you Christy.
The Large Zippered Tote Bag. I will be pinning a lot more as there are some wonderful ideas but chose this one for now because it will be good for our bag making group
How lovely to belong to a bag making group, sounds fun.
I need new chair cushions and your tutorial on crotchet chair cushions is perfect timing
Enjoy your crocheting, I’m finding crochet a good stress release (in the process of moving house!)
Beautiful Ellen’s Espenade. Your first ChrisW bag? You have been missing out on a lot of gorgeousness.
I agree, I have!!! No more:)
DID denim box bag is pinned to my board…
Thank you – I appreciate all pins:)
So many great options! I pinned the Drawstring Car Play Mat since I have a little boy 🙂
It takes a while to make but I do love the drawstring bag, I have mine saved up for my nephew:)
You’ve got a lot of great tutorials! I pinned the scrap fabric gift bag here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/124974958393477764
Just curious, but when will the Rafflecopter open for entries?
Thanks for pinning a tutorial:)
Its due to go live Saturday am Australian time, so that’s tea time Friday in the Uk
I pinned the DIY bunk bed storage/ organizer. I think it will be great for the girls bed, I just might have to make more than one.
Glad you like it – whenever I try and make some for my Etsy shop the kids try and pinch them!
Your bag looks great! I love the strap and fabric you chose. I pinned your tshirt refashion tutorial.
Thank you Reece 🙂
Hi, I’ve pinned your beach bag tutorial but I think I might be heading back to pin a few more
All pinning gratefully appreciated:)
Thanks for blogging. I have wanted this pattern and now I have to get it.
I pinned Large Zippered Tote from Sept 8th. I have alway wanted to try stitching bottom into is side seam.
Good luck with the giveaway:)
Love, love, love your bag and the pieced strap is awesome. I definitely have to try that sometimes. I’m sure your sister is going to love carrying this beauty.
Thank you Lisa:)
What a lovely blog, enjoyed this very much. Your fabric choices made this bag very beautiful and that pink zipper wow, POPS!
Thank you!
Thank you Laura, I am delighted I went with the pink.
I like this bag and your color choices. I pinned your tute Large Zippered Tote Bag to my Pinterest board called “Bags”. My username on Pinterest is Hollyannd. Hope I win!
PS…I posted this comment on the incorrect post to the Tote Tutorial also. Sooo…u might see it twice.
Love your bag! I pinned your How to make a large denim tote bag. A lot of amazing ideas!
Your bag looks beautiful. This bag has a zipper which ia always a bonus.
I pinned your very cool Tote Tutorial! https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/295830269265957123/ I hope your sister in law loves her new bag!
Your Ellens Esplanade looks wonderful. Will have to look around your blog some more.
I’m sure she will love it! It’s beautiful!
Love your site, so many great ideas! Just started my own bag business and appreciate reading your tips and tricks. I’ve pinned the Jazzy Strap tutorial and plan to use it for an upcoming project. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
I pinned the Ellens Esplanade Bag . I love it .
It was hard to pick a favorite tutorial, so many great ideas. I loved The Upcycled Denim Tablet Case.
Thanks for the chance to win the stylish Ellen’s Esplanade bag. Good luck to. All!
Hi!! I pinned the 20 Great patterns and Printables for a DIY Christmas. Right after leaving this post I’m heading back to see what other great goodies you have! Thanks so much for the chance to win!!
Cutting and interfacing are my least favorite part too. Your bag looks beautiful though!