PPC25: Testers Times Two

August 23, 2021 / Kat /

It’s that time again! It’s time to show you what our testers created in the process of testing our pattern instructions for the Elsie K Baglet! But WAIT! You must be thinking, “Why only TWO bags? Aren’t there usually 5 or 6 testers involved in each new pattern cycle?” And yes, having only two testers is the least amount we’ve had to work on this bag with me since early 2006! And here’s the deal… after enjoying a particularly long stretch of tester stability, we’ve suddenly suffered the loss of several. One is dealing with long-haul Covid, and several are dealing with family issues, in particular elderly parents.

So… I guess its time to search for a few new testers!

We’ll be posting a post very soon detailing what we’re looking for in a tester so do be on the lookout for that
if you think you might be interested in joining us for our next round of Purse Pattern Chronicles.

But now, let me show you what our two excellent testers created while testing the Elsie K Baglet for us!

**Mary Larson** of Rochester, MN started testing for us in the 11th cycle of Purse Pattern Chronicles with the **Triple Play** in 2015. Like me, Mary loves working with graphic prints and enjoys pairing them with bold coordinates. But to me, Mary really outdid herself with this amazing little bag. First off she used cork for the exterior front & back. I asked her if it was tough to sew through at any point and she said perhaps a bit in the corners but not too bad! And I ADORE her choice of red for the interior and trims! Great job once again Mary!

**Beth Revere** hails from Council Grove, Kansas and started testing for us in the 8th cycle of Purse Pattern Chronicles in 2014 with the **Wrapsody** design. I totally fell in love with this nautical version of our Elsie K Baglet. I also love that she took her bag “on location” to shoot these pictures lakeside, which is totally appropriate for her bag! This is bag is so pretty as usual! Thanks Beth!

So that’s how the testing rounds played out for this, the Elsie K Baglet cycle of Purse Pattern Chronicles and didn’t our two testers do an exceptional job? Many of you know that one of my favorite parts of the pattern development process is the testing round. I just LOVE seeing what our testers are inspired to create, especially since each one of our testers has their own individual style and several have a real flair for the dramatic!

And here’s the deal… our testers perform a great service for us (and in turn for YOU) in the process of making their test bags. I can’t imagine publishing a new pattern without their input, and if you’d like to leave them some love in the “Comments” section” below I’m sure they’d appreciate it. And if you have any questions about the testing process in general, or any of these bag samples in particular, you can leave those there as well and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Check out the best sewing pins with me on Pinterest, join in on discussions or show off your work in our FaceBook Group, or get your daily sewing fix on our Facebook Business Page or get behind the scenes scoops on Instagram, and be the 1st to know about new patterns, discount codes and sample sales by signing up for our monthly newsletter.

Posted in Elsie K Baglet, pattern design, PPC25, purse pattern chronicles

Kat

11 Comments

BARBARA BALLARD on August 23, 2021 at 6:18 am

Both bags caught my eye! I love the fabric choices they made for outside and inside each bag. Brava! to both of them!
- Kat on August 23, 2021 at 8:06 am
  
  They always do such a great job! Thanks!
Dawn King on August 23, 2021 at 6:21 am

I love them! Great job!
Mary Bumgarner on August 23, 2021 at 9:02 am

Thanks to both of you for testing for SKD. I guess this makes you the icing on the cake for these wonderful patterns. Kat doesn’t miss a trick to make her patterns the best. Both bags are very good looking and can be carried with pride!
- Kat on August 23, 2021 at 5:32 pm
  
  Our testers are the best for sure! 🙂
Patty Cooper on August 23, 2021 at 10:47 am

WOW!!!! They look fab!
Anne on August 23, 2021 at 3:50 pm

Gorgeous purses! Well done!
Nancy Rosa on August 23, 2021 at 8:49 pm

The testers are amazing! The bags are beautiful & the workmanship is flawless.
Carolina on August 24, 2021 at 8:04 am

BOTH are amazing! Kat, have you ever considered using a tester’s bag on your pattern cover? Not as the main one but as a smaller picture showing a different colorway? Curious.
- Kat on August 24, 2021 at 8:56 am
  
  I have in the past used other of our sample bags on the back cover to show a different colorway, but generally I find there’s not enough room for such if I also include pictures of the various bag features (such as the back of the bag as well as interior shots) which I have deemed more important in the long run. I’m thinking they can always go to our website to see MANY bags made in other colorways. 🙂
Bobbie Lacoy on March 22, 2022 at 7:52 am

Love this bag! I just finished the Walkabout Wallet for the second time, and would love to make a matching bag.