Little Bow Pleat Bag: Pattern testing and giveaway!

I'm so excited to finally share a project that I tested a few weeks ago for my friend and bag pattern-maker, Samantha!  With two weddings coming up next month, it was exceptionally good timing that Samantha asked me to try out her pattern for the adorably-named "Little Bow Pleat Bag"--a stylish (yet roomy!) clutch.  Her request came right before I finalized my fabric purchases for my Cambie dress, so I bought some extra hot pink silk taffeta, knowing it would be put to use for this bag.  Maybe it's a little matchy-matchy, but I don't care!

As with all of Samantha's patterns, the instructions are very clearly written (with some cute British wording thrown in!)  and I was able to easily finish this bag in a less than 2 hours. Samantha just posted all of her pattern testers' versions, and each is beautiful and unique.

The inside is large enough to carry all the essentials (and then some), with a single zipper pocket for holding the stuff you don't want rolling around in your bag.  The pattern even comes with an option for attaching a chain strap, if you don't want to carry it around as a clutch.  (And yes, I went there and used the dress fabric for the lining.  And if you didn't think so before, yep, now it's too matchy-matchy :)

I feel so on-top of things to have my dress and bag (and shoes!) sorted out for the upcoming weddings. Count that as just about the only thing I'm on top of, having just finished my first week back to school!

As an aside, I had pattern tested the "big" version of this bag, the original "Bow Pleat" (above), quite some time ago, but never posted about it.  Samantha is running a special deal if you purchase both patterns, so check out her Etsy site for more details.  Each bag is suitable for many different types of fabric, giving a different look and feel.  With the slouchy linen fabric, this one reminds me of touring around an ocean-front boardwalk in the summer....

And now for the giveaway: If you love the "Little Bow Pleat Bag" as much as I do, leave a comment below and I will choose someone at random to receive a copy of the pattern!  I will select the winner on Sunday at 10 p.m. PST.  Be sure to include your email contact, otherwise I can't tell you you've won, and that would be pretty terrible.   Thanks Samantha, for providing the pattern!