Time for a fun round-up! I thought I'd share some patterns for framed purses, since there's such a range and I find they turn out looking like you put more effort into them than you really did. I won't tell if you don't! There are several different types of frames, so I've broken up the post by type of frame.

Psst! Keep reading for discount details.

These purses and clutches remind me of dress-up as a little girl, with my "click-clack" shoes, long gloves, and mom's old dresses. I still get a kick out of opening and closing them. 

This pattern from U-Handbag is true to its name. I found the sewing to be lemon squeezy, but I was a little nervous when it came time to glue the fabric into the frame. Thankfully I didn't mess up and get glue all over, and it turned out beautifully! You can also find this pattern as part of the online Craftsy class Sewing Structured Bags with Lisa Lam.

Inside is simple, and the purse opens up quite wide.

You can also find an adorable mini frame with chain that works to hold a few coins or as a lipstick holder at Emmaline Bags; there are even pattern pieces to download for free to make 2 different minis. 

If you have the Sizzix die cutting machine, this Sew Sweetness coin purse will be a breeze with her coin purse die. You can also find the frames in 2 different sizes and 2 different finishes on the Sew Sweetness site.

These frames open up wide and snap shut with irresistible fun- really, once you install them in a bag, I dare you. You won't be able to resist opening and closing the bag just for the sake of opening and closing the bag! This style of frame really helps give the shape of carpet bags or doctor bags. You can see how to install them in myvideo found here.

The Companion Carpet Bag from Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H is the first framed bag I made and I really fell in love with it. This bag will make you look like a genius! Once you pop that frame on, the wow factor is unavoidable.

This Craftsy Class features video lessons and downloadable resources, including the patterns for the Easy Purse (as mentioned above) and the Carpet Bag pattern by Lisa Lam.

Internal Wire Frames are inexpensive and relatively easy to incorporate. You can find them Emmaline Bags, and they come in 3 different styles: A, B & C.

This pattern from Little Moo Designs uses the Style A Internal Wire Frames from Emmaline. The Race Day Bag is insulated and tall enough to hold a bottle of wine! 

This FREE pattern from Emmaline Bags comes in 2 sizes and uses either Style A  for small or Style B for large. Download the pattern here.

This is one of my favourite patterns ever! I've made more of this pattern than most others. I love to use it as a lunch bag by insulating it and using a wipeable material for the lining. The pattern calls for the Style B internal wire frames and the bag opens up really wide so there's plenty of room for your lunch in containers. Get the pattern here.

Here's another free pattern for you! This pattern from Mrs. H uses the style C internal wire frames from Emmaline Bags. The large rounded top gives the bag a luxurious shape and is perfect for tall brushes and toiletries. It's larger than it looks, and could even work as an evening clutch. Check it out here.

This large bag works as a day trip bag or even as an overnight bag. You'll need the style C frames for this one. I hosted a sew along this summer so if you need some extra help check it out here.  To get the pattern, click here.

These ones don't have frames but look like they do!

This bag, like a traditional doctor bag is structured and opens up nice and wide, but doesn't require a frame. Instead, the pattern calls for boning at the top, in place of a more expensive frame. See the pattern here.

Now that you've learned about the different types of frames, get started on your own framed bag! Emmaline Bags is offering a 15% discount on any of their frames found at this link. Use code OKAPIFRAME15 at checkout. No minimum order required, offer expires October 31, 2017.

What's better than free fabric? Well, not much, that's for sure! Except maybe time to sew it up, but since I don't possess magic time controlling powers, a fabric giveaway will have to do. I have a beautiful bundle of Jackie McFee's new fabric collection, My Gray or the Highway, to give away. Jackie always has such fun names for her collections! I got to work with these fabrics before they were released so I'll share my projects before I get to the giveaway details.

I've worked with several of Jackie's collections before so when she contacted me to work on some projects for last year's Quilt Market, I was really looking forward to what she had come up with this time.

She said she was hoping to make her booth at Quilt Market into a college dorm room. I think she really nailed it! 

Of course every college dorm room needs a quilt made with love, so I suggested my friend Crystal of Cloth Albatross make one and, as usual, Crystal knocked it out of the park. I'm always delighted by her creations.

A girl needs a stylish bag to carry her books in, so Courtney of Skull and Thread made this amazing backpack.  

Jackie said she wanted to have a travel bag and some desk accessories, so I suggested the Swoon Dallas Duffel for the travel bag. I also thought the Radiant Home Studio North Pond Book Cover and the Tablet Case from Anna Graham's (Noodlehead) book Handmade Style: 23 Must-Have Basics to Stitch, Use, and Wear, would be great to add to the student feel.

Here's where Jackie really wowed me. For the patterns I suggested, she made up the concept image with the fabrics in place. Sooo cool! 

I think the actual sewn up version came pretty close to Jackie's idea. We changed up the "dk Gray Felt" for cotton webbing to be more sturdy, and I added a Strap End from Emmaline  for an extra elegant touch.

The inside is fun too!

Here's what she envisioned for the travel bag:

I did add a vinyl overlay to the bottom, but it doesn't come quite as high as the concept, and we changed the straps to be cotton webbing to match the notebook cover. For the exterior zippered pocket, I used the double welt technique I learned from Swoon Bonnie Bucket Bag to add the mint colour. 

Pretty cool hey? Even the fabric placement is almost the same!

The tablet case was lots of fun and used some the lighter prints in the collection. This one is a pretty quick sew and comes together similarly to the pencil case in the book.

I'm not sure which is the front or the back since they each have pockets! The lining is the same colourful print from the small pocket (this print might be my favourite from the collection).

I loved seeing it all come together and Jackie's booth turned out so well!

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for...enter to win through the rafflecopter below!

Good luck, and be sure to share with your friends for extra karma!