As some of you may know Evelyn was my very first published bag pattern! Well….that was some time ago now so I thought it would be FUN to go back and look at where it all began and see if I can make some improvements…and I did!

I am really happy to now bring you my NEW and IMPROVED version of Evelyn! Apart from new step by step photographs, I have re-visited the construction and, among a few other improvements, Evelyn now has a new and improved method of attaching the flap!

Here are some new pics – The first of which is made from gorgeous Asian Peony by Punch Studio for Hoffman Fabrics. This goregous fabric comes from my Sponsor, The Fat Quarter Shop. Please DO stop by and visit them…..their fabric range is awesome and for all you Aussies out there, their shipping times to Australia is just as awesome! I’m not just saying these things because they’re my sponsor either…..they truely are FAB! 🙂

Evelyn PDF Designer Handbag Pattern by ChrisW Designs

Evelyn in Asian Peony Fabric!

Here’s an interior view:

PDF sewing Handbag Pattern by ChrisW Designs

Interior of Evelyn!

It was really FUN re-making Evelyn….I also made one up using a colourful FUN Chevron print:

Evelyn PDF Designer Handbag Sewing Pattern by ChrisW Designs

Evelyn in a fun Chevron print!

Inside:

Evelyn Designer bag Sewing Pattern by ChrisW Designs

Another Interior Shot of Evelyn

Of course, since I made changes and improvements, I had to have the pattern re-tested so I called in a couple of my ACE tester extraordinairs to test for me…….Marilyn has made several Evelyn’s already….so I wanted to see what SHE thought of the new version, being an expert on them and all!  Here is Marilyns version:

Marilyn's Evelyn - A ChrisW Designs PDF Sewing Pattern

Marilyn’s Evelyn – Front View

…..and here’s a view of the back:

Marilyn's Evelyn - a ChrisW Designs PDF bag sewing pattern

Back View of Marilyn’s Evelyn!

Just look at her awsome interior:

Evelyn Designer handbag crafted by Marilyn - A ChrisW Designs Handbag Pattern!

Awsome Interior!

So what did Marilyn think of the new version of Evelyn? Here’s what she said to me:

“I think it is so much
better than the original which I thought was pretty great (I did make 5 of
them)!”

Phew! After all that work, that was a RELIEF! LOLLL

Of course….I also wanted someone ‘new’ to Evelyn to test it as well…so I called on Robin and she made this gorgeous version:

Evelyn Crafted by Robin of Robin's Fabric Nest - A ChrisW Designs PDF Bag Pattern

Robin’s Evelyn

So cheery, dont you think? Side view:

Evelyn by Robin - A ChrisW Designs PDF sewing bag pattern

Side View of Robin’s Evelyn

Another View:

Evelyn crafted by Robin - A ChrisW Designs Designer handbag sewing pattern

Robin’s Evelyn

Robin just recently took the plunge and started a new blog and I am sure she would love it if you popped over and left her a comment! 🙂

So here’s the GOOD News!

a) If you previously purchased Evelyn and would like a copy of the new inproved version, simply email me with the approximate date of purchase and the email address you used to buy so I can find you in my system and I will send you the new copy for FREE!

and b) I am giving away 3 copies of Evelyn with up to 5 chances to win! just enter via Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can’t wait? You can also buy the pattern in my shop! Here’s the deal – Buy the pattern now, enter the giveaway and if you win, I will refund the money back to your Paypal account! How cool is that? LOL

Don’t forget to check out The Fat Quarter Shop if you haven’t already done so for some great fabric to plump up your stash! 🙂

Happy Sewing!
Christine

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75 Comments

  7. I signed up back when I bought Bella and Olivia- love them! Think I may buy Evelyn now and cross fingers for the refund, hee hee 🙂

    Reply

  8. I’m a huge fan, I get your newsletter, and I purchased Evelyn on Dec. 9, 2011 and LOVE it. So I’m excited to see how you could have made it better.

    Reply

  14. I’m subscribed to your newsletter. I love the Evelyn!!!Woul’ve loved to test it but I’m pretty busy. The chevron version is my favorite. I’ll get it when I’m ready to make it.

    Reply

  19. I love your first one Christine. That fabric makes the bag look so classy and your two testers also did a fantastic job. I can’t wait to make it.

    Reply

  22. I’m already on the newsletter, I LOVE your purse designs and even coerced an Australian friend to mail me the latest issue of Homespun so I could try out the pattern you published in there! I have been making purses for a few years now, but I haven’t had the courage to add in the extra hardware to make it look as finished as yours do!

    Reply

  34. Those versions are great! My daughter is interested in this pattern, and she’ll appreciate seeing all the different fabrics and variations. I was excited to see what the testers did with the hardware, and I liked what they chose to do. I thought Robin’s Evelyn was especially ingenious with the hardware that she chose. I never would have thought to use the half-rings in the way she did.
    It’s so much fun to see all the versions–they all turned out so well!

    Reply

  55. Hi,
    Just letting you know that I am a subscriber to your blog
    Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Carolyn

    Reply

  59. Hi Christine. It’s Dawne from Thought Of It on Etsy. You know how much I love your bags!! I have 4 of them right now and can’t wait to buy the rest and waiting on the mail to deliver the hardware to get started on the Kiss Clutch. I never win anything, but I decided I’d give it a shot anyway 🙂 I did sign up for your newsletter using my email and pinned the Abigail bag under Purses and More:
    http://pinterest.com/pin/111816003221511551/
    I can’t wait to see what other new bags you come up with! I’ve already got the Dawn to Dusk backpack in my favorites, waiting to be bought right along with the others I don’t have yet. Keep up the awesome work!!

    Reply

  64. I follow you on bloglovin, although I use feedly now. I tried both and prefer it, so I follow you using feedly too!

    Reply

  67. found you through Sew Many Ways – I now subscribe to your newsletter as well as following you through Blog Lovin’

    Reply

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