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  Happy Okapi

A new (to me) designer and a giveaway!

2/28/2015

81 Comments

 
I love happy coincidences, and I have one to share with you now! I was searching Etsy (I forget what I was looking for) and found a purse made with a pattern I didn't recognize, so I did some more searching and discovered the Blue Calla Sewing Patterns shop. I was so pleased with what I found. So many great patterns! The bonus is that Celine of Blue Calla is in Canada, so her shop fits perfectly with my goal to share Canadian sewing sources; of course, these are PDFs, so anyone worldwide can easily purchase the patterns. I immediately was drawn to the Zinnia Zippered Panel Bag and had to sew one up myself. Here's mine:
Blue Calla Zinnia Zippered Panel Bag
I knew immediately which fabrics I would use for the bag. The centre panel is perfect for a FQ of a special print you want to showcase. I chose Utopia by Frances Newcombe from Art Gallery Fabrics; the centre is Paradise Dwellers in Vivid, fromStay Home Fabrics, and the coordinating print is Orni Incandescence, from Fabric Spark. I decided to try vinyl for the first time with this bag, and I like the finished look, but it was certainly not as easy to work with as natural fibres. I was also happy to have my By Annie's Zippers by the Yard from Stitch in the Ditch so I could choose the perfect colour for the zipper pull. The pattern includes interfacing suggestions, but I just used what I had on hand, so my bag has craft fuse and fusible fleece on the lining, and for the pleated panels, I used Shapeflex 101, and finally craft fuse on the centre panel.  The Zinnia pattern has a recessed zippered closure, and a zippered interior pocket, plus a large interior slip pocket. The pattern also has a few options: you can do a longer single cross body strap, or 2 shorter handles, with detailed instructions for both options. The other option available is that you can have the main panels of the bag continue to the bottom, without a separate contrasting strip like the option I chose. As in the listing description, this particular pattern is not recommended for beginners, and I would agree. I even had a few questions, but I was very impressed that Celine responded right away, and even made a couple changes to the pattern to clarify the points I brought up. With all the different options in this PDF pattern, it's a great value.  I really love the functionality of this bag, with its great size and zippered top, and the pleats add such an elegant touch. 

Each pattern has the recommended sewing experience level in the listing. Here are some more great patterns:
Blue Calla Begonia Convertible Bag
Begonia Convertible Bag
Blue Calla Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag
Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag
Blue Calla Thistle Pocket Tote
Thistle Pocket Tote

Now for the giveaway:

Celine has generously offered a free pattern to one lucky reader: any pattern in her shop, winner's choice! To enter, all you have to do is comment below with which pattern is your favourite. Check out Blue Calla Sewing Patterns to see them all. Good luck! Contest closes Friday March 6, 2015 at 1:00 pm 

Bonus entries for following me on Instagram and Pinterest, just leave a separate comment for each letting me know.
Instagram
81 Comments
Lisa
2/28/2015 05:13:09 am

I love the thistle pocket tote! My eye is immediately drawn to that one :) Hooray for more Canadian pattern designers to add to my list :)

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Fiona
2/28/2015 05:53:07 am

The camellia cross body bag immediately grabbed my eye! Lovely bag designs

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Kristal
2/28/2015 06:04:22 am

the camellia cross body looks awesome! Great find Reece :)

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michelle tripp link
2/28/2015 06:09:45 am

i can't decide between Iris and Camellia.....and frankly they are all so nice.....Reece, we should add her to the CSG, no?

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Katherine Murray
2/28/2015 06:35:04 am

The begonia is beautiful!!!!

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michelle tripp
2/28/2015 07:46:48 am

i follow your instagram ccount

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michelle tripp
2/28/2015 07:47:51 am

i also follow you on pinterest

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Rachelle link
2/28/2015 08:05:45 am

I like the Isis best I think.

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Rachelle link
2/28/2015 08:13:35 am

I follow you on Pinterest.

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Rachelle link
2/28/2015 08:14:23 am

I also follow you on instagram.

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Joanne
2/28/2015 09:12:47 am

I love the look of the Iris Convertible bag.

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Amber Facey
2/28/2015 09:16:11 am

I love the Peony Pocket Tote!

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Rosanna
2/28/2015 09:39:50 am

I have done camellia and love it so much. The Irish convertible Shoulder bag is so beautiful :-)

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Chrissy Jennings
2/28/2015 10:42:42 am

Begonia convertible bag!! So pretty!

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Sara Douglass
2/28/2015 11:52:19 am

I LOVE Celine and Blue Calla! My favorite is the Lily pleated bag.

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Crystal Chadwick
2/28/2015 03:56:29 pm

I love the shape of the Iris bag!

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debbie link
2/28/2015 07:06:18 pm

I like them all but if I had to pick I would pick the convertible bag. Thanks for the great giveaway. I've also shared your giveaway on my Giveaway List for sewers & quilters at wowilikethat.com. Thanks again.

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Claire Ross
2/28/2015 07:45:44 pm

I love the begonia convertible bag

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Claire Ross
2/28/2015 07:46:56 pm

I follow you on Instagram

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Valerie Lambert
2/28/2015 09:53:08 pm

I like the Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag

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aRiel
3/1/2015 12:18:48 am

Hard to choose but I think I like the Thistle Tote best.

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Janet link
3/1/2015 01:56:36 am

I love the Iris bag. I think I'll have to add that to my repertoire.

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Janet link
3/1/2015 01:57:52 am

I follow on Instagram

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Janet link
3/1/2015 01:58:41 am

I follow on Pinterest

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Sheri
3/1/2015 03:50:42 am

I'm drawn to the Iris, love the dual handle option!

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Sheri
3/1/2015 03:54:18 am

I follow you on IG - and yes! Good find ;)

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Katy
3/1/2015 05:11:07 am

The thistle pocket tote is my favourite. P.S great name - I love Okapis!

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Jean
3/1/2015 05:17:41 am

My favorites are the Zinnia zipper panel bag and the Peony pocket bag. Love supporting Canadian designers!!

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Kristine Clay
3/1/2015 05:58:49 am

That thistle pocket tote is adorable!

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MaryLou
3/1/2015 07:59:11 am

Hi. I like the Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag. Lots of cute choices. :)

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Courtney
3/1/2015 09:26:33 am

I love the Begonia Convertible Bag. So cute! So many nice patters.

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Courtney
3/1/2015 09:27:27 am

I follow on Pinterest...

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Courtney
3/1/2015 09:28:13 am

... and on Instagram :)

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Tina
3/1/2015 12:23:35 pm

I love the Camilla cross body

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Ariel
3/1/2015 01:40:36 pm

following on pinterest :)

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Ariel
3/1/2015 01:41:05 pm

following on pinterest!

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Rashada
3/1/2015 09:54:21 pm

Iris is my favorite. I made it last week and love it.

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Rashada
3/1/2015 09:57:10 pm

Following you on instagram

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rachel
3/1/2015 10:14:43 pm

Begonia Convertible Bag is my favorite. I'm a big fan of small bags. Thanks for the chance to win!

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Bekki
3/2/2015 05:57:34 am

I've been eyeing the magnolia mini messenger for a while. It's such a handy size.

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Laura
3/2/2015 06:06:38 am

I love the Begonia Convertible Bag. I hope to win this prize!

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Lori Morton
3/2/2015 06:18:37 am

Is a Tie between the "The Poppy Patchwork Tote Bag" & "Thistle Pocket Tote"!!! LOOOVE them both! :) & have to say...also Love the "Tulips Pillow Cover"! lol

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Lori Morton
3/2/2015 06:22:13 am

I am following you on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/mombear75/)

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leslie link
3/2/2015 09:11:52 am

Thistle Pocket Tote

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sarah
3/2/2015 09:56:55 am

My favorite is the Zinnia! thanks!

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Linda Pawlak link
3/2/2015 09:34:30 pm

I love the Camelia bag! Thank you for the chance to win!

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Mary
3/3/2015 02:04:04 am

Peony!

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Billie Kretzschmar link
3/3/2015 04:25:54 am

Camelia

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Sue Reed link
3/3/2015 05:17:36 am

Love the Iris convertible bag!!

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Sue Reed
3/3/2015 05:19:46 am

Following on Pinterest :)

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Lori Smansi
3/3/2015 12:34:59 pm

Camellia Bag there are so many wonderful choices, thank you

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Deb
3/3/2015 09:49:16 pm

Thistle Pocket Tote is my fave.

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Karen Danks
3/4/2015 03:55:39 am

I LOVE the Iris!

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Karla T
3/4/2015 04:09:55 am

the Thistle Pocket Tote Crossbody is my favorite.

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Crystal Chadwick
3/4/2015 01:06:11 pm

I just saw the bonus entries!! Yea! Instagram follower.

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Crystal Chadwick
3/4/2015 01:06:41 pm

Also a Pinterest follower!

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Lisa Mathieson
3/5/2015 12:47:55 pm

I follow on instagram

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Lisa Mathieson
3/5/2015 12:49:14 pm

also follow on pinterest :)

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Deana Wolstenholme
3/5/2015 01:01:09 pm

I would love the Camilla Cross body. :)

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Pauline Perry
3/5/2015 01:37:02 pm

The Lily Pleated bag is currently my choice. Great Bags.
Pauline

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Trish F
3/5/2015 01:41:45 pm

Hello, I would love to try my hand at the The Camellia Cross Body Bag. Thanks for a great giveaway!

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Trish Froehner
3/5/2015 01:43:51 pm

I follow you on Instagram as trishden. Thanks!

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Trish F
3/5/2015 01:44:45 pm

Follow you on Pinterest. Thanks! trishden

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Hidehi
3/6/2015 12:50:25 am

Loving the Camellia crossbody bag! Would love to make this. Haven't come across Blue Calla before, but so glad I have now!!

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Shellane V
3/6/2015 12:50:26 am

I love the Thistle Pocket tote! :)

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Ana Cristina
3/6/2015 12:50:29 am

The Iris Convertible Shoulder Bag love that design :)

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Hidehi
3/6/2015 12:52:20 am

am now following you on Pinterest!

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Shellane V
3/6/2015 12:53:36 am

Following you on Pinterest as Daisy V

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Shellane V
3/6/2015 12:54:53 am

Never mind. following you as Shellane not Daisy. :)

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Rose Lefler
3/6/2015 01:05:33 am

I love the Begonia Convertible Bag

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gina
3/6/2015 01:10:20 am

Hard to choose one but camellia is really nice

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Tina
3/6/2015 01:19:09 am

I like the Camellia cross body bag

greetings, Tina

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Barb Glasscoe
3/6/2015 01:38:45 am

i like the Begonia!

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Barb Glasscoe
3/6/2015 01:47:07 am

Followed your purses Pinterest board.

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stacey dery
3/6/2015 01:48:54 am

They are all beautiful but I'm really likeing the thistle one.

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Crystal Austin
3/6/2015 02:09:48 am

Thistle♡

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Elaine Veness
3/6/2015 02:13:14 am

Oooooo I just can't decide!

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Laura Downs
3/6/2015 02:25:35 am

I really like the Zinnia zippered pocket pattern. Added as a favorite seller on Etsy!

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Beverley Power
3/6/2015 07:20:28 am

I'm probably too late to the party, as I only just found your post...
I'd choose the Camillia cross body bag. Looks very pretty!

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Kristy link
3/6/2015 10:45:31 am

Lots of great bag patterns! I love the Iris and the Begonia the best! Thanks!

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Sue
3/6/2015 02:22:26 pm

Begonia!

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    Hi! I'm Reece and I love to sew! I'm also a mom and a wife. I love being crafty and sharing tips.

    Visit Happy Okapi's profile on Pinterest.

    Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. Purchases made through those links provide me with a portion of those sales. Proceeds earned through these links help pay to continue running this site. Thank you for your support! 

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