The Better-Than-Bag Pattern is now here and ready for sale!
I couldn’t be more excited to share this pattern with you. My goal in designing this pattern was to provide a great basic bag pattern that still pushed those that used it out of their sewing comfort zone to learn something new.
The Better-Than-Basic Bag features a deep leather bag bottom and leather bag handles. If you have never sewn with leather before, be prepared to fall in love. Leather gives durability and structure to a bag that won’t be found in your classic quilting cotton tote.
Yes, you can sew leather on your standard home sewing machine and this pattern is full of advice and information that will help you achieve leather bag success.
(photo courtesy Kat Schrodt)
The Better-Than-Basic Bag is big and roomy just the way I like it. (The finished bag height is about 12 inches high and it has a base that is 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep.) To keep all that space in order, the interior is divided in half with a zipper pocket. The divided sections make the Better-Than-Basic Bag a great knitting or sewing project bag, as well as a very functional diaper bag.
Would you like to get your hands on the pattern? Click to purchase your copy!
While you are at it, don’t forget to…
Enter The Giveaway!
UPDATE 5/28/2015: The Leather Hide Store, who I buy leather from regularly, has donated a second prize to the giveaway!! (Details below are updated to reflect this.)
This giveaway will award one winner the Better-Than-Basic Bag pattern ($9 value) and $50 Gift Card to The Leather Hide Store for purchasing an upholstery leather remnant! A second winner will receive the Better-Than-Basic Bag PDF pattern ($9 value) AND a large enough piece of “ruby-red” leather for making a Better-than-Basic Bag ($25 value). It is open to residence of the US only (sorry!), 18 years or older, only one entry per household. Entries will be accepted until June 5, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to make your entries and to read more Terms & Conditions.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
More Launch Week Fun
To celebrate the launch, I will be taking the next week to post more about the bag pattern. So be sure to come back to:
- Use the launch discount code in the Sew Fearless Pattern Shop!
The code “BTBBLaunch” gives you 20% off all Sew Fearless patterns and is good through Friday June 5th, 2015! Don’t wait until the giveaway ends to buy the pattern. If you win, I will refund your purchase. So take advantage of the discount today! - See photos from my awesome testers!
- Discover sources for buying good quality leather!
- Learn some great tips for how to choose appropriate materials and interfacing for your Better-Than-Basic Bags!
- And more!
Who’s ready to sew some leather?
Once again, Jodi, you create a pattern I need and want! I still have the leather I won last year and I wanted to turn it into a bag. This is it!
I have never sewn leather before, but would love to give it a try!
I bought a leather remnant thinking about embellishments for my son’s clothes but haven’t tried it yet.
I’ve never sewn leather but I’ve sewn denim so I think my machine could handle it! As long as I don’t make a mistake because those needle holes are permanent! But red leather and your cute bag pattern would be a fun way to try 🙂
Never tried sewing leather, but this bag makes me want to give it a try!
I’ve not sewn with leather before. It seems daunting! Using a pattern would definitely give me more confidence. Thanks for the chance to win!
Looks great! And I definitely can use a new bag.
I have never sewn with leather. I would love to make a blue shoulder bag to go with my winter white coat.
I have never sewn with leather before, but I would love to make this bag. It is so fun!
I have not sewn with leather before, but am very interested in giving it a try! My first project would be a bag like yours. Love it!
I have been waiting forever for this bag ….since you made it for your sister as a gift and called it her knitting bag.
I’m sure this pattern will be as good or even better then your 1st bag pattern which I managed to make 2 of.
Thanks again !
P.S. Wishing you and your family happiness with the new little one!
I have not sewn with leather before but this gorgeous bag makes me want to try it! I am picky when it comes to purses but I feel in love with this one at first site! Thank you for this giveaway!
This looks such a useful pattern – pity I can’t enter the giveaway as I’m in the UK. Any chance of a pattern-only giveaway for non-US people?
I’ve never sewn with leather before but I’d love to try. I love sewing bags, so that would be the first thing I try.
I have never sewn with leather, and would love to make a new bag with your pattern.
Many years ago, I made a pair of grey, suede jeans. I don’t remember what happened to the jeans but I still have the scraps!
What a cool pattern! Now to find some purple leather…
I haven’t sewn with leather yet. It’s on my bucket list! Love your bag!
I believe the first time was to repair something. I remember getting something to go under presser foot so would slide over leather.
Beautiful bag-Need to get out of my comfort zone and try it
Love it! Pinned because I want to make it later.
Just started making leather handbags, love to try new patterns.
I have sewn with faux leather before. i am looking forward to using real leather in my next few bags!
You are amazing! This is such a great pattern! I have never really sewn with leather, but now I am adding it to my sewing bucket list 🙂 I also happen to need a new bag and it’s summer (free time!? maybe?) and you’ve got this great pattern… It’s starting to feel so right! Thanks for sharing your genius with the rest of us 😉
I haven’t sewn with real leather,but am anxious to try. I think the best place to begin would with one of these fun bags.
i love this bag!!! and i also have not done leather before either………can’t wait to try it out! this might be THE Christmas gift this year 🙂
I’ve never sewn with leather before but I really want to! I also made a typo in my instagram handle. it’s auschick1 🙂
I’ve never sewn with it before, but I have always wanted to make my own leather bag! I only buy leather purses because I tear any other material to shreds too quickly, therefor I’ve never made my own purse before – period. I would absolutely LOVE to win this! It would be the perfect time to give it a try 🙂
Have never sewn with Leather before. I would loooveto make this Tote (or any cool Tote!) from Leather! 🙂 I am definitely a Tote “addict”! giggle…
I’ve been sewing leather for 42 years, it’s my passion, but this Bag is so awesome!! I can’t wait to get the pattern and start, and just in time for summer!!! Thank you for sharing this with us. Sincerely, Kymberly
I love how versatile this bag is, and it’s super cute and stylish! Must make this.
I haven’t sewn with leather before. I would love to learn to use leather.
Congrats Jodi! This is a great bag!
This would be my first experience sewing with leather.
I have a gorgeous piece of butter yellow leather I ordered to make a tote someday, this pattern would be perfect! I just wanted to try sewing with leather
I’ve never sewn with leather. I’ve made a couple of purses with pleather and I live them so I know I’d love leather bags, too.
Thank you for this great giveaway. The only time I’ve worked with leather was to make a small cover for my embroidery scissors. It was surprisingly easy and I would love to tackle a larger project. 🙂
I’ve been sewing with leather for the last year or so making books/journals and baby moccasins, and I’ve been wanting to get into bag making. This pattern looks amazing! And I’ve been wanting to get leather from the Leather Hide Store, and this giveaway seems perfect.
I’ve never sewn with leather before but I have sewn with one of your fantastic patterns (Pajama Eaters). Your written instructions & photos were so clear & easy to understand. I know you’ll walk us right through sewing with leather & making this bag in the same clear way & can’t wait to try it!
I have never worked with leather before and am slightly intimidated by the price that goes into practicing. Thank you for the chance to mess up guilt-free. 🙂
The only leather I have worked with was an old leather bag I cut up to make my daughter some cute little shoes. Loved all the colors the Leather Hide Store has and ordered some swatches. Can’t wait to start working with it! 🙂
i’ve only sewn the fake stuff! would love to try it for a bag, but i’ve also wanted to try an ipad case!
Haven’t sewn on leather before. Looking forward to learning how and then making some fabulous bags.
What a beautiful bag and the leather is sumptuous! Colors are so yummy! Want to get some! Thank you for the giveaway!
Honestly, the only reason I didn’t offer to test this bag for you was that I’ve never sewn with leather before and didn’t want to epic fail on you. But I super adore this bag and am adding it to my list of “future purses”. Now that i’ve learned how amazing it is to sew your own, I have this compulsive behavior where I need to make a new one every couple of months. Haha. It’s a sickness!
I have never sewn with leather but would like to make a satchel for dialysis.
I have never sewn leather before, but I would love to give it a try … your pattern will be a great support for this !
I tried to sew a small pouch and it turned out disastrous! This would be awesome to win to redeem myself.
My first leather sewing was some Natty Jane baby shoes. It does make you feel clever, doesn’t it? I’m all about sewing things that make me feel clever.
I have not sewn with leather before, but this bag looks like it would be a great place to start. Glad I found your site.
I’ve really want to sew a bag with leather. Your post relieved much of the fear that I was feeling about shopping for leather. Thanks!
I’ve been interested in making more leather projects and the give away would get me started.
No I haven’t sewn on leather but this bag would inspire me to try!
I made a leather rodeo dress once!
Looks like such a lovely pattern! Nice work!
Never seen leather before, seems like an adventure!