Sewing with Gingercake Patterns

I grew up around sewing machines. My parents owned an upholstery shop when I was little, and my mom has been a seamstress for as long as I can remember. She made all of my Homecoming dresses in high school, one of my prom dresses and the dresses for all of my bridesmaids. And she quilts. Yeah. She can make anything — it’s amazing. 

So naturally, I know how to use a sewing machine, and I’ve made my fair share of items in the past. However, I am not a huge seamstress. {Note: when I first wrote that, I actually wrote “I am not a huge sewer.” Hee hee. That’s funny right there.} I am one of those people who need a pattern. Preferably a step-by-step pattern with pretty pictures. 

Which is why I love Gingercake Patterns. I met Virginia through my friend Amy, and she’s awesome. Her patterns are the cutest, sweetest things you have ever seen. And a few of them are even being published by Simplicity! How exciting is that?!?

So when she asked me if I wanted to be involved in her Holiday Gifts Sewing Series featuring her patterns, I jumped at the chance. I chose to try out the Waste Free Lunch Bag for Mason. {And he was super excited to be getting something that was all his — the entire time I was sewing, he came up to me approximately every 3 minutes, asking “Is my bag all ready for me??”}

I could not be happier with how it turned out.  

Virginia’s pattern is so easy to follow, and includes photos of every step. Not being an expert in sewing, when I first read through the pattern, before I even started cutting out the fabric, there were a couple of parts where I thought, “Huh?!?” but once I started the process of making the bag, it all made perfect sense. 

Now, I know I said that I have to follow a pattern all the time, but I did make a couple of slight changes — and that’s one of the things I love about Virginia’s patterns. At the end of each one, she lists some suggestions on how you could change it up a bit. 

Because I made this bag for Mason, who is 2 1/2, I decided to leave off the flap entirely and have the bag just be open at the top. I thought he might get frustrated with the velcro closure, and since he doesn’t stay for lunch a preschool, I figured he’d probably use it more like a tote anyways. 

And I was correct, as this is how he packed it. {Yes, that is in fact a Blackberry in the pocket. My man’s got some bidness to take care of.}

See? His celly’s blowin’ up.

If you’re looking to create some sweet, handmade gifts this holiday season, please check out all of the Gingercake patterns. I know you’ll find something perfect!!

And Virginia is also letting me give away one Waste Free Lunch Bag pattern! All you need to do to enter is visit Gingercake patterns and leave a comment below letting me know which one is your favorite. {It’s going to be hard to pick!} I will randomly choose a winner on Saturday, November 30. 

Good luck!! 

 

 

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