Hip, hip….hooray! On the Go Bags—15 Handmade Purses, Totes & Organizers releases this month! We have been eagerly awaiting this book, co-authored by Lindsay Conner and Janelle MacKay, which features more than a dozen original, multi-use bag and organizer patterns that will help you keep the essentials at an arm’s reach. So, whether you’re headed to work, running errands, on vacation, or just trying to keep it all together at home… there’s something perfect for you!
The contributing designers from the book include some names you’ll recognize from the Pellon Projects portion of our site. Read to learn a bit more about the projects and for your chance to win the book! First, let’s ask co-authors Janelle and Lindsay a few questions to get to know them better!
1) If you were on a desert island and could only take one Pellon product with you, what would it be and why?
JM: Pellon Thermolam Plus, because I will be able to use it to make beautiful, dense, interlining in all of my bag projects. It’s not too thick to sew through, but creates a very substantial feel to the project. I would take only fusible though, because it stays in place, and I’m sure Gilligan will have an iron there anyway.
LC: Definitely ShapeFlex. I’m in love with this stuff for making bag panels from quilting cottons. It gives just the right amount of weight, and is really great paired with Thermolam. Since I’m also a quilter, I even used it to back the panels for a T-shirt quilt, and it worked wonderfully!
Travel Toiletry Roll from “On the Go Bags”
2) What project from the book are you most looking forward to making (or sewing again)?
JM: I need all of the projects from the book, have made many, and plan on making them all. And first on the list is a Travel Toiletry Roll. I’ve got a trip planned to Quilt Market in the Spring, and this will be necessary!
LC: I’m on my fourth Sporty Strap Pack (one-shouldered backpack), and each time I make it, I am having fun personalizing it with extra little details and contrast pockets. I also really want to make a Shopping Cart Caddy to hold my phone, shopping list and keys while I’m out getting groceries!
Two-Bottle Tote from “On the Go Bags”
3) What’s your favorite guilty pleasure to enjoy while you’re sewing?
JM: I love to have a nice cold beer with me while I’m sewing. I find my sewing room gets so hot with that iron going, a cold beer to sip on is so refreshing.
LC: Salt & vinegar potato chips! Lately, I’ve enjoyed listening to an audiobook on my laptop, although I tend to miss a few paragraphs while the sewing machine really gets whirring.
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Can you imagine using some of our new Flex Foam in this Padded Camera Bag Insert from the book? In addition to the projects, you’ll learn some great bag-making techniques to get a professional finish. We’ve also spotted lots of projects that are great with a lightweight interfacing such as ShapeFlex, a heaver stabilizer like Peltex or a fusible bag shaper like Thermolam Plus.
For a look at more projects in the book, here’s a little video trailer…
Don’t forget to follow the rest of the blog tour for more giveaways!
Tuesday, Dec 1: Shannon Fabrics / Sew Sweetness
Wednesday, Dec 2: Clover & Violet / Ann Kelle
Thursday, Dec 3: Radiant Home Studio / Melly Sews
Friday, Dec 4: Sew Caroline / Mia’s Creations
Saturday, Dec 5: ikat bag / imagine gnats
Monday, Dec 7: sewVery / The Girl Inspired
Tuesday, Dec 8: Stash Books / Fabric Mutt
Wednesday, Dec 9: Pellon
Thursday, Dec 10: Simple Simon and Co / Mrs. H
Friday, Dec 11: Emmaline Bags / Lindsay Sews
Monday, Dec 13: Sew, Mama, Sew
Giveaway!
Would you like to win a copy of On the Go Bags? Leave a comment on this post telling us what style of bag is most useful in your everyday life and why. Giveaway ends 12/15 at midnight EST, and we’ll choose one random winner. U.S. winner will receive a hard copy, and winner outside the U.S. will receive an e-Book.
Pellon Projects -- the blog 
Love cross body messenger style bags for carrying my laptop, notebooks, and most importantly, my coffee thermos for late night grad school library stops.
A cross body bag with multiple pockets is my go to everytime I leave home. 🙂 That way I have 2 hands free to shop or deal with my kids.
I love a big messenger bag with comfortable straps, good for carrying my tablet, some books if im going to class, my water bottle, snacks and anything else i might need for the day.
so many bags I like, but the ones I use the most are various size totes and cross-body small purses.
I like crossbody bags — they feel secure and I can find what I’m looking for easily.
I usually like crossbows bags but I would love to try many of these!
I love tote bags – plenty of room for my daily stuff, a knitting project or book and lots of pockets
I like the idea of the camera insert. Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite type of bag is a tablet bag because I carry my tablet everywhere.
I like a small cross body bag with lots of pockets. Keeps my hands free, my self organized and saves my body!
Love the idea of the backpack hands free for when I’m on my bicycle and the Pellon would protect my camera lens too.
I find cross body bags most useful. They leave my hands free whilst I shop!
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com
My hubs and I will need the hanging toiletry bags right away! One for each of us! I know the book is something I’d love to have as I prepare for our planned move into a tiny house on wheels which will always be “on the go”! The projects are tailor made for me! The organizer will be just the ticket for our home’s loft storage and for our vehicle as we travel and stay in our state and national parks. A smart backpack will be necessary as we hike the trails, too, and there is frequent shopping for groceries for a tiny tiny house, so totes are a necessity! My collection of practical bags will be an important part of our journey, as will my beloved sewing machine! What the Pellon interfacings will do for me as I make them is nothing short of a blessing!
My favorite bags have tons of pockets, fun details and stylish shapes!
Who doesn’t love Pellon products, I purchase by the bolt I make many bags. Since being on this Book Blog Tour I want to make all the bags.
I love over the shoulder bags.
Love large tote bags and especially love ones with lots of pockets!
I really do love a wrist strap clutch wallet that fits my phone and tissues, cards and the few cents I have left after going fabric shopping 🙂
I like any and all cross body type of bags. I like to have both hands free.
Most of the time I carry a medium size shoulder bag for all the gear I need to bring. So far I have sewn some small drawstring bags and plan to make other, larger bags when I learn how.
I would love to win, I like an over the shoulder, medium sized bag with an interior zippered pocket for change and keys.
I love large tote bags with lots of organizational pockets!
My purse is a satchel type because shoulder bags were making my back hurt.
I find Tote bags most useful in my everyday life. Inside the tote I use small pouches to keep organized, i.e. cosmetics, medication, coupons, etc.
I also love see-through project bags for my quilting projects.
I like to have a smallish cross-body for every day dashes to grocery and fabric stores. Easy to carry hands-free style.
I really need large bags that allow me to carry both my purse “stuff” and my lunch in an insulated portion. One bag, Yay!
The Travel Toiletry Bag looks mighty handy. Sure would beat plundering in a make-up for what you need.
Can never have too many totes, but i also love project nags so I can keep everything together and the furries cant get to them!
I tend to use totes with plenty of pockets, especially for traveling. I used to carry a backpack everywhere because my hands could be free for other things. Maybe I should give the Sporty Strap Pack a try.
i prefer a structured tote with divisions so my ipad and kindle, as well as books and magazines, stand up
I love crossbody bags — they are easy to carry and it’s easy to find what’s inside.
I like a big shoulder bag to carry my tablet or laptop. Looks like a great book!
A “just the right size” handbag with 2 exterior pockets for my glasses is my favorite kind of bag.
I love me a crossbody bag. But I just bought a “new” used camera that came with a backpack. It’s an okay backpack, really – but I’d love to create a new one with a little more “me” styling to it.
And it would give me a really good excuse for getting UP and AWAY from my workroom to actually LEARN TO USE the camera. Just sayin’. You know, to better document all the sewing jobs.
Cross-body style with lots of pockets. I love having my hands free.
I enjoy my foldover clutch I made about a year ago. It’s just easy to tuck under my arm and go.
I love totes with lots of pockets and compartments to keep me organized.
I love a small cross body bag for everyday. They are so convenient to carry a few things and are light and easy to carry.
I like a small hobo shoulder bag the best. I don’t have to carry very much anymore so this is a perfect size.
I have to say the one I use the most is the one that just fits my phone-a wallet/clutch thingy. I just finished a NCW that I’m totally smitten with!
I like smaller, cross body style bags. They leave my hands free and don’t wander all over my shoulders or up and down my arms!!
I use a tote bag and a zipper pouch every day. Thanks for the chance to win.
With three kids in tow, a crossbody is always my go to!
I love the art bag. Want to make one. Love the Hanging bag too.
A roomy tote to carry my yarn and crochet hooks for keeping myself busy.
For everyday use the one shoulder bag would be perfect.
I like a sturdy basic bag for toting groceries….I’m a carry- it- in- one- trip kind of person! Looks like a great book!
Love a tote! Use one every day!
I love the crossbody style bag for this time of year. It’s perfect for shopping, not too big and heavy, and convenient.
I have been enjoying making purses recently. I like a purse look, but it must have the funtionality to also hold my 8″ tablet. I love the projects in this book!
A medium size crossbody bag without to much structure. The bigger the bag the more I fill it with stuff I don’t need every day. I needs to hold just the day to day essentials.
My favorite everyday bag is a shoulder bag. Husband always has things to “throw this in your purse” when we go places! lol BUT I am definitely a Tote “addict”! Love them!!! So hand for taking project along, separating yarn projects, etc etc LOOOOOVE Totes! 🙂
Thanks for chance to win your Give-a-way! 🙂
I like tote bags with lots of pockets!
that is a cool video. Congrats on putting it together. Great insight. I like the Airport bag for get up and go. When I need to go to the store to get that bottle of milk, I can grab that and go and get back.. No fuss.
Shopping or totes are always in demand in our household! Thank you! Love your products!
It’s got to be big, it’s got to be sturdy; it needs a shoulder strap. Ohhh, and pockets, lots of pockets. And did I forget to say: lots of different ways to mix up the fabrics used?
Yep.
That’s what I need.
I don’t even want to talk about everyday bags because all I want to carry right now is a beach bag, and I can’t! But I have to say, Janelle, you crack me up! The Professor would have certainly made an iron for Gilligan to press Ginger’s gowns.
Yes he would have Marsha…. and I would be right in there with my interfacing!! Thanks for reading!
I love the sewing caddy and the iPad tote!!
I love my SF101 and would my choice
I want the bag on the cover! I have an old ugly bag just like this but it’s so practical I haven’t been able to ditch it. Maybe now?
I always use a cross body bag rather than something over my shoulder.
a roomy tote bag with zipper closing
I would love to win this book. I carry a bag that has room for my glucose monitor and my insulin pens and everything else one needs in their purse. I just love the versatility of the bags featured in this book.
I love using tote type bags.. I always seem to have a lot of stuff to carry.
I really like tote bags and duffle bags.
Love the snap and go sewing case. Great Idea!
Tina! You are the winner of the On the Go Bags giveaway! Can you please send me an e-mail at lindsay.conner@gmail.com with the subject On the Go Bags? Thanks, and congrats!
Beautiful book!
I like an everyday bag I can take with me when I’m out shopping.
It needs to be about 12″ long and about 6″ deep to put my stash of mailed coupons in…
I like a cross-body bags do my hands are freed up. Many thanks!
I love large bags as I always have so much to bring! I really want to make the cover bag…love how it’s hand free!
The large carryall bags are my favorite for traveling.