I’m happy to release my newest pattern, the Lyla May Handbag! This pattern was first inspired by a design that a customer asked for earlier this year. I loved the final result but wasn’t planning on making a pattern. However, positive responses on Facebook changed my mind. You know how I am with sizes—virtually all of my patterns have multiple sizes. The original size I made was for a 10” frame and the final result was 14” wide and tall. That’s so large! I ended up drafting this pattern in three smaller sizes as well.

Often one of the very first things I do when drafting a pattern is to pick a name. For this pattern, I knew I wanted a vintage sounding name, because this pattern has a look reminiscent of vintage framed handbags. I started looking through my family tree to find inspiration, and lo and behold, look at what I found!

That is my great-grandmother Lyla May Smith, and this photo is taken in the early 1960s. How perfect! I immediately named it the Lyla May Handbag.

The Lyla May Handbag is available in four different sizes and has two different options of exteriors. There is a an optional divider in the middle with or without a zipper, and a slip pocket. The sewing on this purse is not very difficult and it’s a fairly quick sew. The difficulty level of intermediate is because of the frame! Speaking of frames, I wrote a post on picking a frame for this pattern. While the purse calls for specific sizes, the pattern also provides instructions on altering it for other sizes of frames. I also had a couple of testers use some unique frames and they made this pattern work with only a couple changes. You can see those variations among the tester photos below.

The pattern also comes with accompanying videos, so even if a frame seems daunting, you can watch the videos for help! It can be used with glue-in or sew-in frames.

As I showcase the testers’ work, I will make sure to point out their personal alterations to the pattern so you know what is a tester addition and what is in the pattern. Mostly that just involved doing a chain or adjustable strap instead of the strap as written in the pattern.

Testimonials

“This was such a pleasure to sew. Such a great and easy to follow pattern!! I showed my finished purse to a few of my friends and already have orders for more!!”
“I've been making bags with sew-in frames for YEARS and I've always drawn a pattern for each individual frame. This pattern makes it so much easier to not only save time not having to draw each pattern, it's super easy to modify and takes all the guess work out of adding pockets.”
“Love how all the pattern pieces fit together!! An awesome and fairly quick bag to sew!”
“The Lyla May pattern offers a modern take on the vintage silhouette. With a variety of customization options, the pattern is a fun and satisfying project. I really enjoyed letting my creativity loose with this pattern.”
“This pattern is exceptionally well written with many many clear illustrations. The included video links are very well produced. I especially liked the way that they they are linked into the pattern at the exact moment that they are required so that you don’t need to zoom backwards and forwards through the video to the section that you require.”

Small

The Small size uses a 4.5” frame.

Sandra Diehl. Alterations: chains instead of strap, added a credit card pocket.

Mariah Oliveira. Alterations: different strap method.

Medium

The Medium size uses a 6” frame.

Stacy Muth. Alterations: adjustable straps.

Mariah Oliveira. Alterations- chain instead of strap.

Maria Linnell, web, FB. Alterations: zipper pocket added inside and out, chain instead of strap.

Large

The Large uses an 8” frame.

Barbara Bozarth. Alterations: slightly different inside pocket, chain instead of strap. Also, Barbara used Bouncyfirm interfacing instead of foam or Decovil and it worked great.

Melissa Uhler. Alteration: chain instead of strap.

Julindah Ety. Alterations: chains instead of strap.

Rose McKeller. Alterations: chain and vinyl strap. No alterations necessary for concave frame.

Mariah Oliveira. No alterations made for frame curve.

Laura Carter. Alterations: different type of strap.

X-Large

The X-Large uses a 10” frame.

Cheryl Fetters. Alterations: adjustable strap.

Tanya Ruth Davis. Alterations: adjustable strap.

Kim Burch. FB, IG, web. Alterations: followed pattern instructions for making pattern wider for frame, curve added.

Pattern Sale

Thank you to all my testers who helped me tweak the pattern and get it ready for publishing! The pattern will be on sale today through Sunday, July 4th. In addition, my other patterns are 20% off this week for the holiday weekend here in the U.S. Use the code HOLIDAY to get your discount on all single patterns.

New Pattern! Lyla May Handbag (plus a pattern sale)