Hey everyone! How are you starting this special weekend?
Hope the Easter Bunny hopped around your home and left you some yummy stuff… I remember when my little Alex used to run around looking for his chocolate eggs… Well, time went by and he is a bit too grown-up for egg hunting now, but there's no such thing as being too old to eat chocolate right? So yeah, I had my good dose of sweets this week ;)
Speaking of sweet, I've got some pretty sweet news for you: A NEW BAG PATTERN! Do you remember this mysterious bag I've been posting pictures of…?
Well the mystery is over! I introduce to you: THE CAPRI BAG.
The Capri Bag is a roomy, baggy shoulder tote perfect for carrying your everyday items. It can be worn as a reversible bag with exterior pockets, and it features convenient adjustable handles… I am so thrilled the way it came out!
So, what's so special about this pattern? It's the first of my patterns to be presented in a PDF format… but not the downloadable ones; the Capri Bag pattern consists of a CD with a 40-page PDF file filled with instructions supported by full color diagrams and step-by-step pictures.
Plus, the real-size printed paper templates are included! You don't have to print and tape pages together.
So basically, you pop in the CD to your computer and you're all set to start sewing!
Who wants to give it a whirl? Well just leave me a comment about what you think about PDF patterns: yay or nay? What's your opinion on the PDF coming in a CD with the printed templates included as opposed to downloadable ones? Do you think PDF patterns will eventually replace the regular printed ones? And what do you like best? I think this could become an interesting debate!
For those who leave comments I will be entering your names in my magic hat for a giveaway, and 2 lucky winners will be receiving in the mail:
– A CAPRI BAG PATTERN (CD + printed paper templates)
– Plus THE FABRIC REQUIRED TO MAKE THE BAG –and you can choose the fabrics!
For the winners: after winning you can go to www.patbravo.com and choose three fabrics you want to use for your Capri (choose between Coquette, Paradise, or Dreaming in French)
I'll announce the winners next Wednesday April 27.
Sounds good? Leave you comments and good luck everyone!
Love,
Pat.
Art Gallery Fabrics - The Creative Blog 
97 responses to “BRAND NEW BAG…(plus a GIVEAWAY!)”
Okay, so, I love that bag! Oh my word! She is so classy and super fun and I want one so bad!!!
PDF vs. Paper Patterns
PDF! First of all you won’t lose them, and you don’t have to try to fold it back up to shove into the darn envelope. Also they can be printed out multiple times so no tracing paper pieces to save the pattern for other sizes.
As far as CD or download I don’t have a preference. I have never tried a CD one so I don’t have an opinion on that one;)
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I think that perhapes it can be very interesting. Perhaps because I’m a traditional one… I like printed ones! I like to archive them and have them in my library!
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This sounds really interesting! I’m happy to use pdf files but I hate printing off pattern pieces and taping them together! Also, you’re not always sure that the printer has printed to the actual size they should be (or is that just me?!!)
If you’ve included the paper patterns it’s surely the best of both worlds! Just wondering though, whether it’s possible to print off further copies for future use when the templates get messed up?
I love your fabrics and this bag pattern is so cute – I’d be so delighted if I were lucky enough to win. Thanks for such a lovely giveaway :)
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Great bag! Love your fabrics.
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oh wow, great bag! I have never seen a pdf pattern coming on a cd. My first thought is cost. I love PDF patterns because they usually have more photos which make it easier to follow the pattern. But I wonder if the cd is going to make it more expensive? If it’s the same or cheaper than a regular paper pattern, I say I love it! But if it’s more I probably wouldn’t go for the pattern unless it was ‘to-die for’! that’s my 2 cents.
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I love PDF-patterns because when you have payed, you receive the pattern so no more waiting for the postman to deliver the pattern, you can just start sewing!
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Beautiful bag!
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I like PDF patterns so that I can start sewing straight away. Fantastic giveaway!
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Love the bag, especially the tie at the top. Really creative and fun. Great fabrics make great bags!!
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GREAT bag !
Personally I prefer pdfs for a number of reasons – no paper floating around, eco-friendly, instant receipt for the most part with no snail mail wait ( really nice when ordering from another continent)
Only consideration is that most people have 8.5×11 printers – so please make pattern pieces that size even if we have to piece 2 sheets together to make one pattern piece. Again it is the convenience of being home-sufficient and not having to drive to a copy shop.
GREAT BAG !
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I love this bag and the variations that you show. I like the idea of a pdf on CD becuase you can find it easily – my folders on my computer are in disarray anf full-size patterns are great.
Hope I win!
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What a wonderful bag pattern. I would love to win it. You could store a lot of stuff in that. PDF patterns are great and I have used them many times. I like that you can use them right away and get started on a project when you have the urge. I do have embroidery CD’s which are great, but have not tried any quilting patterns on CD. I can see that it would be beneficial though for keeping everything orhanized and in compressed space. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
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I have no problems with PDF patterns for the most part…if they are done professionally, clear instructions, possibly a few photos, and nice pattern pieces. I have only bought one that was poorly put together. The grammatical structure was horrid. I offered and fixed it for the person without even so much as a proper thanks. Oh well.
This bag looks very interesting. Lots of room…and the tie is adorable. It’d be great to win…and a CD is something totally new to me…you may be on to something. =) Thank you.
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Wonderful giveaway! Thanks so much. =) I love myself a good PDF. =)
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I wouldn’t mind PDF patterns, especially on a CD, but I know my mom and many older quilters would have a problem with them. The step by step instructions would be very beneficial, especially for beginner sewers.
The bag looks great and I love your fabrics!
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I haven’t used a paper pattern since I was a teenager and my Grandma was teaching me to sew. I like PDF patterns because they’re not as fragile and I can print them again and again if I make a mistake!
Love the bag by the way!! :)
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Sweet bag! I like the PDF format for patterns because they are well done with photos and step-by-step instructions (perfect for the newbie!!). As for paper patterns, they are flimsy and tricky to fold back into the envelopes (I consider them a one time use!). Thanks for the chance!!
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A CD? Why hasn’t anyone thought of this? The idea is brilliant. I literally have hundreds of patterns stored in boxes. I like to own them, review them, collect them, organize them and use them. To be able to have a collection of patterns like a collection of music that I can sleeve and organize (after all we (crafters/sewers) are very visual, touchy feely sorts)is very appealing. I like PDF patterns but they reside in my computer not in my “collection”. I love the idea of BOTH together as a set.
This bag is a great spring/summer carry-all–and boy do I carry it all. I would love the chance to make it with some of the Art Gallery fabrics I recently purchased.
Thanks for the chance.
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I think I like the idea of a cd better because if I keep downloading patterns to my computer I’m gonna run out of memory, not to mention if my computer crashes, I won’t have the pattern anymore!
Thank you!
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I like PDF patterns for their convenience but it does make me a little sad that they don’t end up in my “collection” then. It seems like the PDF on cd patterns would be a good solution to this problem, kind of like the best of both worlds! Thanks for the giveaway!
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I would love to win! I think the CD is a great idea!
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I love the idea of PDF patterns, but also like having precise instructions of a paper pattern. Your pattern will be excellent with all of the 40 pages of indepth instructions! Would love to give it a whirl! Thank you!
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That’s an adorable bag!! Thanks for the giveaway!
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A PDF is fine as long as there isn’t too much taping to do if the pattern sizes are really big. And a PDF pattern should be cheaper than a regular pattern since the producer doesn’t have to pay for the paper and ink…but the person at home does! Thanks for the chance.
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This is like the best giveaway ever!! I love this bag and your fabrics are GORgeous!! As for the pattern… what a great idea! To have the full size paper pattern as well as the instructions on DVD — you’ve nailed the perfect format. If I don’t win this, I am definitely going to buy it anyway. Oh – and did you say you’re adding fabric to the giveaway???!!!! What could be better?!
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E-stuff is the future so I love the idea of a CD pattern. This also means that I can have a whole bunch of stuff in one place that doesn’t physically take up space. And, if I wind up losing a piece I can easily go back and print it out.
I have worked with patterns that come in a piece-able format (since some pieces will likely be too large to fit on an 8.5 x 11 paper) and it works out just fine.
Great idea! Lovely pattern! Wonderful fabrics! Keeping my fingers crossed :)
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What a beautiful bag! I’ve been looking for a summer bag without success. This would fit the bill perfectly, and i love that the pattern is on cd. Please enter me!
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I love this bag, so roomy and stylish. I would love to see how the CD pattern works. Pick me, pick me!
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Lovely bag!
I am thankful for the options! Both traditional and PDF are wonderful fir different reasons. Preparing patterns from PDF s can be daunting but after I get them taped, I trace them to pattern ease. Put that and the intructions and photo in a zip bag and you have it at you fingertips for the next time!
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Sounds AMAZING!!!
And What a darling bag :D – Thanks for the chance!
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oops! I forgot!
PDF patterns are o.k but the extra step of printing the templates is not so fun. So having printed ones ready would be great!
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Beautiful bag! I think a CD pattern is a great idea. especially with full size patterns! Thanks for the chance to win. Allison
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I love the idea of the cd, but, like others, I like the instantness of pdf. :) Gorgeous bag design!
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I love printed patterns (for the same reason that I love the books), but I live in Europe and shipping printed patterns to Poland it’s not always reasonable, so I prefer buying pdf patterns, which I can download.
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To Missy and anyone else worried about losing the file if their computer hard drive fails:
You need an external hard drive to store a copy of your important files, because all computers will fail eventually. So, when I download a pdf pattern, I store it in two places immediately. You could also print it or burn your own CD.
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I think the convenience of getting the paper pattern with the CD is outweighed by the extra cost to produce and mail the CD. There is also the potential issue of defective/damaged CDs. I would rather get the pdf immediatly by downloading. I don’t mind having to tape two pattern pieces together. You can be sure your pattern is printed in the correct size when the pattern has that 1″ square to check the measurement. Page scaling in the pdf print window needs to be set to NONE. Perhaps this instruction should be in the pattern as a reminder.
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Wow! This new bag is exquisite. I love how different they al look.
I think a CD isn’t as necessary when a PDF will do the same thing. I’m probably more likely to lose a CD though then a PDF.
Also, I worry about my printer messing up the scale… but my printer is cursed with Poltergeists and seems to mess up a lot of things.
Happy Easter!
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Love the new bag!
I’m a huge fan of PDF patterns. I like the ability to download it immediately. Living in Canada, there is always a longer wait to receive items in the mail.
Thanks for the chance to win!
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That looks like a cute bag, I love how you can use it on both sides. I like the idea of a PDF pattern with the printed templates included. I love printed patterns because they are so much easier than having to print a pattern in the right size from a book or CD. I also like CDs because you get a chance of having more photos, making the process easier to follow.
Thanks for the chance!
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I have mixed feelings about PDF patterns. Printing them out can take a lot of ink, but it’s nice to get them instantly! Thanks for the chance to win :)
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LOVE this bag!!! It looks amazing!
I have mixed feelings, too. On one hand, I love the instant download! On the other hand, what if my templates are “off” when I print them?
Thanks for a wonderful opportunity!
KZK
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I really like that PDF patterns are less expensive, and so instant. I do have to get them printed elsewhere though, but it’s still usually faster than ordering it and getting my mail. I think they will replace paper patterns eventually.
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com
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I like the idea of having the paper templates come with the PDF. It always seemed like a hassle to me to print out paper templates, tape them together, etc.
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CUTE bag! I love having patterns in pdf because I lose papers, but I also like having the paper patterns if I can keep up with them so I don’t have to match pieces. LOL! Another thing I like about pdf is that I can enlarge or reduce pieces easily if I want to change the size of the bag. Thanks for offering this as a give away!
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Very nice bag!
PDF v. Paper: I prefer PDF. PDF requires less storage space, a clean copy can be printed for each use, it can be found quickly in the “filing system”.
I’ve never had a PDF come on a CD before and think it’s a great concept. A CD is still less to store than bulky pattern envelopes and it doesn’t require an advanced degree in origami to be put back in its holder.
I do still buy paper patterns but I use a lot of tracing paper when I use the multi-size patterns.
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i love the bag.
for templates and tutorials i prefer .pdf, because the borders and distances in the world disappear when everything you need is internet conection (and maybe some plastic money :) ).
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What a lovely pattern! I adore pdf patterns, especially for patterns that have more than one size of an item. It’s great to print multiples and cut out one of each sized item. Honestly, I would be indifferent to including a CD. I would prefer to just save it on my hard drive.
Thank you for the giveaway!
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Hey Pat! Thanks for the giveaway!
Here are my two cents…
I love PDF patterns. Especially when I can order them online and have the email sent to me that day or the next one. So I don’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Now I do also like having the pattern pre printed. I like the idea of having a CD with the pattern so that if I loose a piece which happens once in a while :) I can just go on the CD and reprint it.
I also like having a PDF of the pattern so that if I change size if I have pre cut it I can just cut it out in a different size. Maybe you can have an option to buy a download or a CD so that the few of us that don’t mind the download (or live outside the US) we can still get the patterns without paying crazy shipping prices!
Hope this helps and I hope I win!
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I love the idea of PDF patterns, because sometimes after seeing something you want to be able to make it right then! I don’t live very close to quilt shops so do a lot of shopping on-line, and the instant gratification of a PDF is great! On the other hand, I love holding something in my hands, reading magazines and books and patterns…so I love having it in printed form, too!
What a wonderful bag, by the way!
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I like the idea of the pdf… you can print them without worrying about loosing them! The bag is super cute too!
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