Why The Miranda Day Bag Sewing Pattern Is Special
by admin — 21 Comments » Lazies, I have a bit of a mixed bag for you today. Pretty pictures of Miranda Day Bag made by a few special Lazies and me. And some details about why the Miranda Day Bag #LGD123 sewing pattern is so special. This easy sewing pattern is the perfect bag for a day on the go. This modest sized tote bag is roomy and filled with inside pockets. Use bold fabric prints with contrast for great results.
Where To Buy
The Miranda Day Bag pattern is available on our website here.
Follow our Tote Bag board at Pinterest.
Miranda in beautiful oranges by Jessica.
Miranda Is A Book Posing As A Pattern
The Miranda Day Bag pattern is an 8 page, full-color book. She’s printed on sheets of hearty glossy paper, collated, then folded and stapled with a finished size of 8 1/2″ by 11″.
A Book At A Pattern Price
The book is folded once more to fit into a pattern bag. So, you’ll find Miranda in the pattern section of your favorite quilt shop, along with our other designs. The book format is a bit more expensive on my end, but I feel this upgrade is worth it, and I’m not passing that extra cost on.
Miranda by Carolyn Griffin of Far-Flung Quilts.
Breathing Room
As you know, I’m rather chatty. I did my best to keep the text/narrative in Miranda to a minimum. I am excited to announce that there is only one paragraph of dialogue in Miranda. And that’s the description on the back of the pattern. All other text is bullet lists of instructions or titles/headers. This created more ‘white’ space.
Gorgeous purple peacocks with striking leather shoulder straps by Karen Randolph.
White Is A Color
I was the first in the quilting industry to offer full-color patterns a few years ago. And I went wild with that color. Hey, I was paying for it, so I flooded the background for edge-to-edge fun. In the spirit of ‘white’ space, I removed the soft background color from the instruction portion of the Miranda pattern. The background color is still there for the front/back cover. I also chose mellower/softer fabric colors for the step-by-step photographs, so it is softer to the eye as you work through the pattern.
More Visuals Please
There are more photographs, and they are a bit bigger than in previous patterns. Instructions are bullet items under each photo. You should be able to look at the pictures and work through the project.
Beautiful blues and greens by Sharon Phagan
Cutting Diagrams
I’ve included cutting layouts for all four fabrics, batting, and interfacing. Keep in mind that this is a rotary cut project; no pattern pieces are included. Rotary cut the strips, then re-cut for the pieces needed.
A Miranda by Lazy Sister Susan Congdon for her daughter.
Miranda By The Numbers
From start to finish, Miranda took nine weeks and approx. 400 hours of work. That’s from the time the design started pouring out of me until she went off to the printer. And this was in addition to my usual duties of running the company and being Lazy.
Where To Buy
The Miranda Day Bag pattern is available on our website here.
Subscribe to receive emails for my blog and newsletters about new patterns and project ideas.
Enjoy!
Joan
Joan’s Sewing Group | Pinterest
Like and share this post with your stitchy friends.
I’m looking for BLACK fashion handles that have the metal loops at the end and finish so nicely….I need a retail source! help! All my local shop can find is black/ brown and my Miranda is all black and white!
Kathleen in Ohio
– – – – –
Hi Kathleen,
The biggest source I know of is http://www.umei.com I have not worked with them, but I have heard of many satisfied customers.
What about a handle style like this: http://www.checkerdist.com/ax_commerce/shp_detail.cfm?productID=7909&search=1
Joan
Joan thank you so much for including my little pretty. What fabric selections everyone made they are so delightful. This pattern just lends itself to so many possibilities. I have heard so many great comments about Miranda that I believe we are going to see tons of her wandering around after the holidays! I have several more in my head and one already on the table. Thanks again for sharing everyone’s lovely creations.
Penny D
http://www.cottonvault.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1281
Is it possible to buy patterns, etc. on line? I made my first Lazy Girl bag yesterday. It was a breeze and it’s so pretty.
– – – – –
Hi Gina,
To purchase a Miranda Day Bag pattern, check with your local quilt shop or retailers listed here. Many of the retailers listed have online shops. Click on the ‘On the web’ retails to go directly to Lazy Girl products at their sites.
Joan
PS: Glad to hear you enjoyed your first Lazy Girl!
The Mirandas are gorgeous in todays blog. I am a new Lazy and have never made one of your patterns. Is the Miranda Bag too ambitious for a first timer? I sew and can follow a pattern.
– – – – –
Hi Sandy,
If you can cut and sew a straight line, and do some quilting, you are ready for Miranda. I’ve posted the back panel of the pattern online here:
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/PDF/Miranda_Pattern_Back_Final.pdf
That will give you a better idea of what is involved and if you are ready for her.
Joan
Beautiful bags–way to go, Lazies!
Nine weeks, 400 hours, from conception to printing. That’s what it takes to make a great pattern and clear instructions. Do you have any idea how many samples you made in that time? Do you make your early samples with good fabrics, or do you use plain muslin or something else for the beginning stages?
– – – – –
Hi Jen,
I made four samples during this time. A muslin prototype, my Pretty in Pink Miranda in order to field test her. Then the final two samples used for the cover images. After she went to print I made another 15 or so Mirandas.
I start with engineering sketches to work out the size, shape, etc for any new design.
I design in black and white, and make the first prototype from white muslin so I can see the design and not be distracted by colors or printed patterns.
The last time I tallied my hours was several patterns ago and that was roughly 200 hours. It takes so long because I choose to do everything myself. I don’t hand off any of it until it goes to print.
Joan
I, too, am a new Lazy, and am thoroughly enjoying the blog! I love seeing all of the Miranda bags that everyone has done…the are BEAUTIFUL! I am dying to know what the name of the fabrics used in Karen Randolph’s project! I want to buy some to do a Miranda for myself. If anyone knows, please tell. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Oh I just finished my first Miranda Day Bag (and it won’t be my last). Such a great purse and the directions are FANTASTIC. Now I need to whip out a Wonder Wallet to match my bag!!
And here I was, all set to send you a note saying you should talk about the GREAT new format you are using…..
Dear Joan,
Our shop is buzzing about the Miranda bags. We are currently trying to put together a complete kit for our customers. Unfortunately, even though heavily advertised by “Checker”, the handles are on backorder. Can we order these handles from you direct?
Thanks
Mardi Niles
I guess I am a Lazy groopie. A lot of people are going to get the Miranda bag this year for Christmas. How timely of you to have the book oops pattern out right now. I usually use Oriental fabrics but not always.
I love the Miranda Bag. What interfacing do you use in it? Do you also line the lining? Does it stand up by it self as good as it looks.
Thanks very much, Priscilla
Hi! I love the Lazy Girl bags and just purchased the Miranda pattern. I’m wondering if you have any tips on how I could put in a zipper at the top wtihout ruining the look of the bag? (I need a closed top purse) If you could share any tips I would appreciate it! Otherwise I will be muddling along …
Thanks!
Becky
I am in Orlando, FL. Where can I get the Miranda Bag pattern.
Thanks
Hi Jean,
To purchase a Miranda Day Bag pattern, check with your local quilt shop or retailers listed here: http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/guide.php
Many of the retailers listed have online shops. Click on the ‘On the web’ retailers to go directly to Lazy Girl products at their sites.
Joan
Hi .. just got my pattern and I’m very impressed, but just wondering why we are directed to quilt those 4 x 2 cover fabric panels, re-cut them out and then sew together through the batting and all? I am sure there is a reason but I don’t know what it ould be. Thanks, Trisha
Hi, I need a tip about the quilting that is done on the cover fabric and batting. It wants to pucker. Seems like it needs stabilizer. Anyone else experience this? Also Trisha, I did eliminate that center seam. I did not like how it chopped up the pretty patterns in the fabric I was using.
Hi~
I am looking for the material on the cover of the Miranda Day Bag pattern, I love it and can’t seem to find it anywhere. Thanks
Hi Joan,
Love love this bag. I’m on Lazy Facebook group as well. I’m just wondering what interfacing you suggest (make and model) for this particular bag?
thanks so much.
Genevieve
What interfacing do you use in it?
Pingback: Miranda Squared | made by a brunnette
I purchased the pattern #124 Mini Miranda Bag. I am having great difficulty with the sizes. It seems the pattern is giving me the size for the larger bag. For example: “Main part of bag calls for 9 x 42-44″ wide). Even cut in half how can that make a bag which is supposed to be 10-1/2 x 9-1/2 x 4”
Help please.