Sewing With Boys- Time to Travel Blog Tour- "Just Like Papa Briefcase" and "Ready, Set, Go Wallet"

Time to Travel

Hello and welcome to day seven of the Sewing with Boys Blog Tour! I'm Heather and my little slice of the blogosphere is called All Things Katy!

Sewing with Boys is an online community that sews for boys and supports teaching boys to sew. They just released their first collaborative e-book titled, "Time to Travel," and it can be purchased here. Time to Travel is jam-packed with fun PDF patterns, printables, traveling tips with the active boy in mind. It includes the following items:

-Pirate Map
-Lacing Card
-Ready Set Go Wallet
-Play Money Printable
-Driver’s License and Passport Printable
-Signal Flag Alphabet Layered Flags
-Adventure Belt
-Just Like Papa Briefcase
-Swansea Bag
-Coloring Sheet

In my opinion, the "Time to Travel" e-book is mostly geared for elementary age boys and below.

Now, my regular readers of All Things Katy! might be wondering why I- mother to one smart, sassy and beautiful DAUGHTER- would want to participate in a blog tour all about BOYS!?? Well, the reason is simple; I've got many, many- dare I say it- HUNDREDS!!- of pretty, cutesy, beautiful, functional, casual and fun things to sew for girls but barely anything suitable to sew for the little boys in my life (my two nephews, my daughter's male friends, birthday parties that she is invited to, etc.). The Time to Travel e-book helps to fill that void perfectly!

"Just Like Papa Briefcase"

Time to Travel, "Just Like Papa Briefcase"

First, I chose to sew up the "Just Like Papa Briefcase," designed by Amy Macdonald. This little tote is the perfect proportion for the youngest of "businessmen" that want to be just like Daddy. The finished tote (closed) is approximately 12" wide x 9.5" high x 2" deep.

Handled, soft-sided and with zipper enclosures, this briefcase features many options The options include instructions to sew in a pencil or crayon pockets, a book pocket and an interior zippered pocket with a see-through window.

Time to Travell, "Just Like Papa Briefcase"

There is lots of room to personalize the "Just Like Papa Briefcase." The pocket spacing can be adjusted to fit your needs and the outside of the briefcase would be perfect for embroidery! I chose to sew half a row of pocket pencils and leave the rest of the row empty to allow enough room for a small notepad.

The "Just Like Papa Briefcase" is definitely an intermediate pattern. There are no step-by-step, or progress photographs (there are line drawings/illustrations for each step, however). There are a couple of finished product pictures of the "Just Like Papa Briefcase." Instructions are written out..

Time to Travel, "Just Like Papa Briefcase"

You can't be afraid of zippers when tackling the "Just Like Papa Briefcase!" There are three zippers included in the construction of the bag. Zippers aren't difficult- they just take some time to master. You CAN do it!! :-)

Time to Travel, "Just Like Papa Briefcase"

It took me the course of two evenings to complete my "Just Like Papa Briefcase." I didn't sew it straight through- I had lots of breaks and interruptions. I love that the "Just Like Papa Briefcase" can be sewn without any pattern pieces to print, tape and trace. A handy cutting guide is included in the e-book for all the pieces that you need to construct the briefcase. I love when a pattern can save me a step and a tree! :-)

Overall, I was very pleased with the "Just Like Papa Briefcase." It would be perfect to bring along on road trips and my daughter has already requested one for herself. I love that the bag is completely self-contained- book, crayons, etc. can all go back in the briefcase and zipped back up for easy portability. Anything that helps cut down on clutter, hassle and keeping track of things while traveling is a bonus in my book!!

Time to Travel, "Just Like Papa Briefcase"

(I borrowed Lil' Miss' best bud to help me model the briefcase. Thanks, C! ;-)

"Ready, Set, Go Wallet"

Time to Travel, "Ready, Set, Go Wallet"

Next- because I couldn't stop at just one- I sewed up the "Ready, Set, Go Wallet" designed by Jonie Brooks. This little wallet took me just one short hour to sew up. Just one hour!! Plus, I made my own red and white polka-dot bias tape! Great, simple sew with- pun, intended- a lot of bang for your buck ;-P. 

The "Ready, Set, Go Wallet" measures approximately 9.5"x 5.25" when completely unfolded. It's the perfect proportions for little hands. I went ahead and made my own red and white polka-dot bias tape because I'm crazy like that. You don't have to, though. What you do have to do, though, it make sure that you use BIAS (store bought or homemade) for that outside curve- you're gonna need it to get a nice smooth curve. I did use pre-made white bias tape for the inside trim.

The "Ready, Set, Go Wallet" has lots of fun pockets and enclosures. It uses just a scrap of plastic- they suggest cutting it from a plastic bedding bag- for the coin pocket. It mimics the look of an adult trifold wallet- perfect for little shadows that want to be just like Daddy. :-)

Time to Travel, "Ready, Set, Go Wallet"

As a side note, I believe that the "Ready Set, Go Wallet" would be a great starting off point to teach children about money and savings. I know that my daughter would be really excited to put her hard-earned "cash" from doing chores in this wallet!

I really enjoyed sewing up the "Ready, Set, Go Wallet." It was so quick and easy and turned out really nice (if I do say so, myself!). Because everything is trimmed in bias tape, there are no pockets to turn or corners to point. Simple, I like that!

This would make a great gift- boy or girl- paired with a fun gift card!

Connect with Sewing with Boys through their Facebook page. Purchase the "Time to Travel" e-book here. You can see more of Amy MacDonald ("Just Like Papa Briefcase") work at http://friendsstitchedtogether.com/, Jonie Brooks' work can be viewed at Knot Sew Normal.

So, in conclusion, if you sew for a little boy, you need the "Time to Travel" e-book in your sewing repertoire! (Also, I believe that the patterns that I sewed up would be great for little girls, too. Just switch up the fabric and the possibilities are endless!!)

Now.... How would you like to win a copy of the Time to Travel ebook for yourself? How about some fabric, too? Participate in the giveaway below for a chance to win!

*******Giveaway info*******

Grand prize: $50 gift certificate to FabricWorm and a copy of Time to Travel*

2nd place: 1 yard of fabric from Mabel Madison and a copy of Time to Travel*

3rd place: a copy of Time to Travel*

*If you buy the eBook and win the giveaway, we will either refund your money, or send the copy on to a friend of your choice.

But that's not all! If you buy the eBook during the tour, you'll be automatically entered to win a $30 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop!"

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Finally, please go ahead and check out these other lovely and talented bloggers as they try out the Time to Travel ebook. You won't want to miss it!!

April 20: Rachel at Once Upon A Sewing Machine || Michelle at Falafel and the Bee

April 21: Becca at Free Notion || Heather at All Things Katy!

April 22: Chelsea at GYCT Designs || Ula at Lulu & Celeste

April 23: Stephanie at Swoodson Says || Sherri at Thread Riding Hood

April 24: Meriel at Create3.5 || Sara at Made by Sara

April 27: Melissa at Oh Sew Boy! || Stacey at Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts

April 28: Teri at Climbing the Willow || Ajaire at Call Ajaire

April 29: Jessica at The Berry Bunch || Dana at Sew Thrifty

April 30: Stacey at From-a-Box || Maegen at Mae & K

May 1: Kelly at Handmade Boy || Roxanne at Pen, Seb & Rox

***Disclosure: "I received a free e-book in order to review these patterns for Sewing with Boys. The opinions expressed here are my own."***