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You are here: Home / Bags / The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern Launch & Giveaway

The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern Launch & Giveaway

May 27, 2015 by Jodi 61 Comments

The Better-Than-Bag Pattern is now here and ready for sale!

The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern by SewFearless.com

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 Pattern by SewFearless.com

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.

The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern by SewFearless.com

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.

The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern by SewFearless.com, photo by Kat Schrodt
(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.

The Better-Than-Basic Bag Pattern by SewFearless.com

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.)

leatherhidestore.com upholstery leather

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?

Filed Under: Bags Tagged With: bag pattern, betterthanbasicbag, leather, tote bag

Previous Post: « Rainbow of Tanks
Next Post: Better-Than-Basic Bag Tester Photos »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie says

    May 27, 2015 at 10:59 am

    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!

    Reply
  2. Jenn says

    May 27, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    I have never sewn leather before, but would love to give it a try!

    Reply
  3. Mary Ann says

    May 27, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    I bought a leather remnant thinking about embellishments for my son’s clothes but haven’t tried it yet.

    Reply
  4. Amber says

    May 27, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sarah J. says

    May 27, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    Never tried sewing leather, but this bag makes me want to give it a try!

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    May 27, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    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!

    Reply
  7. Dora says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Looks great! And I definitely can use a new bag.

    Reply
  8. Elizabeth C. says

    May 27, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    I have never sewn with leather. I would love to make a blue shoulder bag to go with my winter white coat.

    Reply
  9. Debby says

    May 27, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    I have never sewn with leather before, but I would love to make this bag. It is so fun!

    Reply
  10. Kathy E. says

    May 27, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. Susan Nagel says

    May 27, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Christina Obregon says

    May 28, 2015 at 1:48 am

    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!

    Reply
  13. Sara says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:17 am

    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?

    Reply
  14. Patti says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:40 am

    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.

    Reply
  15. Linda Hiles says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:12 am

    I have never sewn with leather, and would love to make a new bag with your pattern.

    Reply
  16. janet moilanen says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:25 am

    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!

    Reply
  17. Laurinda says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:34 am

    What a cool pattern! Now to find some purple leather…

    Reply
  18. Stitchgirl78 says

    May 28, 2015 at 7:27 am

    I haven’t sewn with leather yet. It’s on my bucket list! Love your bag!

    Reply
  19. nancy in IN says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:07 am

    I believe the first time was to repair something. I remember getting something to go under presser foot so would slide over leather.

    Reply
  20. Michele says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Beautiful bag-Need to get out of my comfort zone and try it

    Reply
  21. Melissa says

    May 28, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Love it! Pinned because I want to make it later.

    Reply
  22. markita says

    May 28, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    Just started making leather handbags, love to try new patterns.

    Reply
  23. Barbara Godfrey says

    May 28, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I have sewn with faux leather before. i am looking forward to using real leather in my next few bags!

    Reply
  24. Karen says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    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 😉

    Reply
  25. SONJA HANSEN says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    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.

    Reply
  26. jan schrock says

    May 28, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  27. auschick says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    I’ve never sewn with leather before but I really want to! I also made a typo in my instagram handle. it’s auschick1 🙂

    Reply
  28. Show and Tell Meg says

    May 28, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
  29. Lori Morton says

    May 28, 2015 at 9:08 pm

    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…

    Reply
  30. Kymberly Farley says

    May 29, 2015 at 4:15 am

    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

    Reply
  31. Sara says

    May 29, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    I love how versatile this bag is, and it’s super cute and stylish! Must make this.

    Reply
  32. Emily C says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:03 am

    I haven’t sewn with leather before. I would love to learn to use leather.

    Reply
  33. Jenya says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:23 am

    Congrats Jodi! This is a great bag!

    Reply
  34. jonquil says

    May 30, 2015 at 7:30 am

    This would be my first experience sewing with leather.

    Reply
  35. Pat says

    May 30, 2015 at 8:43 am

    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

    Reply
  36. Peggy says

    May 30, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
  37. MaryLou says

    May 30, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Kate C says

    May 30, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
  39. Kate T.S. says

    May 30, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    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!

    Reply
  40. Emma says

    May 30, 2015 at 10:07 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Alizabeth says

    May 31, 2015 at 9:28 am

    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! 🙂

    Reply
  42. jessica says

    May 31, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    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!

    Reply
  43. Ellee says

    May 31, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    Haven’t sewn on leather before. Looking forward to learning how and then making some fabulous bags.

    Reply
  44. Sophia DeLonghi says

    June 1, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    What a beautiful bag and the leather is sumptuous! Colors are so yummy! Want to get some! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply
  45. Katy M. says

    June 2, 2015 at 6:41 am

    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!

    Reply
  46. Nancy Hilderbrand says

    June 2, 2015 at 6:51 am

    I have never sewn with leather but would like to make a satchel for dialysis.

    Reply
  47. florence says

    June 3, 2015 at 4:55 am

    I have never sewn leather before, but I would love to give it a try … your pattern will be a great support for this !

    Reply
  48. Kristie says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:22 am

    I tried to sew a small pouch and it turned out disastrous! This would be awesome to win to redeem myself.

    Reply
  49. Kathy says

    June 3, 2015 at 8:14 am

    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.

    Reply
  50. Stacy says

    June 3, 2015 at 8:19 am

    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.

    Reply
  51. Denise Swanson says

    June 3, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    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!

    Reply
  52. Peggy says

    June 4, 2015 at 10:56 am

    I’ve been interested in making more leather projects and the give away would get me started.

    Reply
  53. Kristine says

    June 4, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    No I haven’t sewn on leather but this bag would inspire me to try!

    Reply
  54. Kelie says

    June 5, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    I made a leather rodeo dress once!

    Reply
  55. Holli Coats says

    June 5, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    Looks like such a lovely pattern! Nice work!

    Reply
  56. MHolmes says

    June 5, 2015 at 6:33 pm

    Never seen leather before, seems like an adventure!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How To Install A Magnetic Snap - Sew Fearless says:
    June 1, 2015 at 11:34 am

    […] Just a reminder, you only have until June 5th to enter the Pattern+Leather giveaway and use the Launch Week Discount code! Do it […]

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  2. Sew To Grow Sheepskin Leather Review - Sew Fearless says:
    June 1, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    […] of “Launch Week” for the Better-Than-Basic Bag – which means the release week DISCOUNT CODE and GIVEAWAY are still running. Make sure you take advantage before the time runs out (June 5th, […]

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  3. How To Shop For Leather - Sew Fearless says:
    June 2, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    […] Would you like to win some leather? Be sure to enter the Better-Than-Basic Launch Giveway before this Friday, June 5th, 2015! And take advantage of the launch week […]

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  4. How to Pair Bag Fabrics and Interlinings - Sew Fearless says:
    June 5, 2015 at 11:43 am

    […] the end of the Better-Than-Basic Bag “Launch Week“! I hope you enjoyed my heavier-than-usual posting schedule, and found my posts helpful. I […]

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  5. Better-Than-Basic-Bag Pattern – My Blog says:
    February 4, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    […] The Better-Than-Basic Bag pattern comes with a wealth of knowledge about picking fabrics and combinations of interlinings, thread types and tips for top stitching leather, so if you’re new to bag making, don’t be intimidated. To see more tester versions of this great bag, enter for a chance to win the pattern and some yummy leather, or to purchase the pattern, click over to Sew Fearless! […]

    Reply

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Jodi - Sewing Advocate - Mother of 7 - Lover of Swings and Deadlifts - Catholic

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