I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your response to my big news from last week! I’m very excited about it and it makes it even more special to be able to share it here with you. Speaking of sharing…I’ve got sewing pattern peeks! With just 3 days until I head to Salt Lake City for International Quilt Market, I thought I’d let you in on what I’ll be showing there.

The first of my new Make New or Make Do™ sewing patterns for Spring 2011 is the Alice Book Bag! The Alice Book Bag is a vertical-style messenger bag with plenty of room for a journal, magazines and water bottle with interior pockets for smaller items. The construction of the bag allows you to convert the strap from cross-body to shoulder, simply by pulling the strap through the grommets at the top of the bag. I love this feature! I’m always wanting a bag to do dual duty and often want to change how I’m carrying it throughout the day. I see myself using this bag for all-day outings and travel days. (Regarding the grommets used on this bag…they are super easy to use and simply snap together with your fingers. No special tools are required!)

The bag shown is made up in my hemp/organic cotton canvas in the Mod Max | Pine Cone print. You might like to try a vintage look by making it out of retro dish towels, table cloths or curtains. This bag would also look great in a solid color made from repurposed denim or canvas from jeans or cargos.

This pattern will be available to retailers next month. If you can’t wait and like your patterns electronic-style, the PDF version is now available in my shop! Stay tuned for another pattern preview tomorrow!