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GIVEAWAY! Want to learn to sew a bag? "A Bag For All Reasons" Book Giveaway!

Why hello, my friends, on this lovely Tuesday! I have a giveaway for you guys. The kind folks over at Martha Pullen Company sent me a copy of Lisa Lam's "A Bag For All Reasons" to review and also offered to give a copy away to one of my readers.
I decided to try making the Compact Groceries Tote (thanks, Mindy, for the fabric!), since I'm constantly bringing packages to the post office. I was using a different bag, and just crumpling it up and throwing it back in my car once it was empty. 
What I like about this one is that it has a wrap around strap to fold up the bag and a clippy on it so I can attach it to my other bag, instead of just tossing it in the car willy-nilly. I like this bag a lot, and have actually been using it as my purse for the past few days. I can snap the wrap-around snap together and clip my keys onto it, which is cool, because I am always losing my keys.

Making the bag from the instructions in the book was pretty easy, and I didn't need to think too hard. Whenever I try to just sew a bag from scratch out of my head, I end up seam-ripping and having to think real hard. It was nice to have clear instructions to follow step by step. Also, there are full-size pull-out patterns in the back of the book, so you don't have to make your own out of tissue or whatever. I liked that a LOT. The only thing I had trouble with was the envelope-style bottom, but that was just me being crazy.

Anyway, I really like this book, and I'm not just saying that. The pull-out patterns: awesome. The book is spiral-bound, so it lays flat when you're working: awesome. And all the projects in the book (there are 12) are all really cute and functional and not too intimidating.

So! Do you waaaaant a copy? :) You should. This giveaway is open to folks in the US, Canada, and Europe. You can enter two ways: comment here and/or on the giveaway photo on my Facebook page. Please only comment once per place. I'll pick a random winner on Monday November 12th.

And guess what? if you just wanna GET the book, here's a code for 33% off at Martha Pullen: BAGS2012
And guess what ELSE?! If you want to make a compact groceries tote for yourself, you can find the whole project tutorial and pattern here. http://www.sccmag.com/bag-for-all-reasons/.

24 comments:

Eiyela said...

*happy dance*

K said...

Your bag looks lovely, as does the book, very handy indeed. Fingers crossed!

randomosity said...

that tote looks really cute! would also be a good toy catcher for the car :)

Szappanbubi said...

Ohh,lovely! - I need more inspirations and help to sew bags for me and my family :)
this book would be a great-great help!!
thanks

porcukorborso at gmail dot com

PaulaK77 said...

I really like bags and have been making one already! Would be great to make several different kinds! Please pick me! :)

WendyRamZ said...

This book looks really sweet!

blu_grrrl@yahoo.com

CJG said...

I would so love to win this! I have a bag obsession and it's so much less expensive to make them. Also, it's so much easier to make them when someone else provides the directions. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

Tina said...

I think I actually had this bag in my grubby little hands at the book store the other day. I REALLY wanted it, but I ended up choosing 2 different books on sewing clothes.

It would be so awesome if I won it :0)

Nindya Karlina said...

the tote look very simple but awsome!

nind_zzz@yahoo.com

silentblair said...

It's been awesome To check into your blog to see what you're up to! I'm really intrigued by the bike saddle bag on the cover of the book.

Anonymous said...

ooo what a lovely looking book! Please enter me into your draw :-) xx

JLVerde said...

That bag is fabulous!

I'm all about totes/bags right now so this book has me all excited. (if I don't win, I think I'll add it to my christmas wish list)

Haegaerpr Jewelry by Martin Caraballo said...

i would loke to win these book...♥
haegaerpr@hotmail.com

Christia said...

Cute bag Ki!

I would love to win!

StephLakers said...

So useful and pretty fabric too!

Unknown said...

Looks like a very useful book AND bag! Would love to win. Thanks for doing this contest.

www.geocacheon.blogspot.com

Annika said...

Sounds like an awesome book, I love making bags, but end up spending more time with the seam ripper to get it done. The bag you made is so cute, love your fabric choices. =)

Chris said...

I just found your blog through a friend on pinterest. I would love to wina free copy of the book. So far I see lots of things that interest me on your blog. Thanks

Deb R said...

You tote looks too cute!! Would love to win a copy of the book...Im an avid follower :)

jengd said...

Great shopping bag! I just had a look at the book on Amazon. Even if I weren't a cloth bag junkie (which I definitely am), this books looks amazing simply for the techniques and general how-tos! Thanks for the chance!

Unknown said...

I'm not much of a sewer, but I think a bag might be a good place to start, don't you?

Heidi P said...

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!

Anonymous said...

I really should use my vintage and retro fabrics, not just hoard them. Maybe make bags? :D

Unknown said...

I have looked at this book and would be sooooo excited to win it. Crossing my fingers!!!!!!