Project Sighting: On-The-Go Bags and a Giveaway!

Today, I am very excited to show you my bag in a new book!

Many months ago (for that is how long it takes to make a book happen), one of the co-authors invited me to contribute a bag for their new book.

So I did.

Here it is on the back cover. Eeeeee!

Loosely adapted from my old Mesh Swim Bag that I made en masse for Jenna's swimming birthday party in 2013, 

this is a breathable shoulder tote designed for gym visits and other athletic adventures. Unlike the soft mesh in the earlier swim bags, the mesh in this gym bag is a sturdy pet screening, so the bag stands upright like a regular tote, to hold stuff like yoga mats and towels and bottles and running shoes.

The fabric itself is outdoor canvas, because this particular model wasn't meant for aquatic activities, but you can make it out of nylon or some other water-friendly fabric and turn it into a swim bag for flippers and snorkels and wet towels and such.

Now let's talk about the new book, On the Go Bags—15 Handmade Purses, Totes & Organizers by Lindsay Conner and Janelle MacKay (Stash Books). The book is available this month at CTPub.com and January 7th on Amazon, where you can already peruse quite a few of its preview pages.

Unfortunately, I don't have a physical copy of it myself to photograph or do a full review of, but here is a short video of the book trailer.

And here is some useful information about what's inside:

146 pages, including the front and back covers, in about 20 chapters, broken down into the following sections:

I      Introductory chapters

II    Biographies of authors and contributors

III   14 pages of techniques and tips, covering

• How to cut curved corners
• Interfacing and stabilizers
• Back-stitching
• Open-end straps
• Closed-end straps
• Adjustable straps
• Installing magnetic snaps
• Bias binding and piping

IV    15 chapters of projects, organized by sewing levels:

EASY
1 Hipster Pocket Scarf
2 Laptop Keeper
3 The Man Clutch
4 Handy Purse Pockets
5 Padded Bag Insert

INTERMEDIATE
6 Cart or Stroller Caddy
7 Park Blanket
8 Travel Toiletry Organizer
9 Two-Bottle Tote
10 Tablet Shoulder Bag
11 Sporty Strap Pack

ADVANCED
12 Mom's Minivan Organizer
13 Airport Sling
14 Snap-and-Go Sewing/Art Case
15 Air-It-Out Gym Tote

Roughly categorized to give you an idea of their functions, I'd say that of the 15 bags, there are

• 6 inserts and organizers, including a fold-up blanket
• 3 clutches/pouches
• 4 purses and totes
• 2 backpacks/over-the-shoulder style-bags

Where provided, the pattern templates are full-size and include seam allowances; other pieces not requiring templates are rectangles and other straightforward geometric shapes for which full dimensions are given in each project. Each instructional chapter contains detailed steps and clear and colorful illustrations, as well as photographs of the finished projects and parts thereof.

Now for the giveaway!

Stash Books is giving away one copy of On the Go Bags (RP: US$26.95) - U.S. winners will receive a hard copy and winners outside the U.S. will receive an e-book. No purchase is necessary to be eligible to enter. The giveaway ends at midnight EST of 15 Dec 2015, and I'll pick a winner by random-rafflecopter the next day, and let you guys know the results. I'll also contact the winner by email for their postal address; if I am unable to reach him/her after 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

For a chance to win:

1. leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite style of bag to use, or your go-to style to sew,     then
2. enter your information on the rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit the other stops on the blog tour, and enter their giveways for more opportunities to win this book:

Tuesday, Dec 1: Shannon Fabrics / Sew Sweetness 

Wednesday, Dec 2: Clover & Violet / Ann Kelle 

Thursday, Dec 3: Radiant Home Studio / Melly Sews 

Friday, Dec 4: Sew Caroline / Mia's Creations 

Saturday, Dec 5: ikat bag / imagine gnats 

Monday, Dec 7: sewVery / The Girl Inspired 

Tuesday, Dec 8: Stash Books / Fabric Mutt 

Wednesday, Dec 9: Pellon 

Thursday, Dec 10: Simple Simon and Co / Mrs. H 

Friday, Dec 11: Emmaline Bags / Lindsay Sews 

Monday, Dec 13: Sew, Mama, Sew