Other People's Anya Shoulder Bags

(vibrant Anya shoulder bag by Instagram user abi_norman)

Nearly a year ago I released the Anya shoulder bag PDF sewing pattern. Since then, some seriously lovely versions have been popping up on the interwebs that I've been dying to share with you. I find it very exciting to see how different the pattern looks when made up in a variety of fabrics, and what kind of looks can be achieved through fabric selection. Possibly one of my favourite fabric choices for an Anya shoulder bag was the Melody Miller amazingness pictured above, created by one of my favourite sewers in the whole world, Abi Norman (abi_norman on Instagram). 

(denim Anya shoulder bag by Handmade Jane)

Kind of on the other end of the spectrum is this gorgeous dark denim version made by the very lovely Handmade Jane. She has omitted the optional button tab for a super sleek look. I'm struggling to think of an outfit that this bag wouldn't work with! 

(Vicki Rowe's lovely and practical denim-and-owl-print Anya)

Vicki Rowe also made a lovely dark denim Anya bag (with awesome owl print lining!). The bag pattern has pleats in the bag body which secretly make it pretty voluminous. I'd like to thank Vicki for sending me the picture above of all the things she can fit inside hers!

(Joke's ditsy floral Anya with additional ribbon detail)

Joke from Brugge made the super cute ditsy floral corduroy Anya pictured above. Note how her simple but clever addition of satin ribbon on the yoke really draws the eye! 

(mixed fabric Anya with bronze piping by Prolific Project Starter)

Speaking of customisation, check this one out. For the Prolific Project Starter's third Anya, she not only used an clever mix of fabrics, but she also deployed some lovely bronze piping. I'm bowled over by how neatly she has applied it, such an incredible make this one. 

(blue and white printed fabric Anya by knitwitsowls) 

This delightful Anya has been made by Frankie (AKA knitwitsowls on Instagram), and has something of a Japanese kind of vibe to it (or is that just me?). A clever use of an interesting print that makes me want to rethink what I may have lurking in my stash....  

(IKEA fabric Anya bag made by Alex's Adventures in Fabric)

And finally, Alex gives a reminder of how good the Anya shoulder bag pattern looks in a bold, retro-y print. This IKEA furnishing/curtaining fabric is the perfect weight to give structure to this shape. 

Thanks everyone who has bought the pattern, made and shared their Anya shoulder bags! If you'd like to see more versions of this pattern, check out this Pinterest board. 

Anya Shoulder Bag Pattern: Tester Makes and Giveaway!!!

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO THOSE WHO ENTERED, THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED AND EMAILED**

(pale green spotty by Elisabeth)

Thanks so much to everyone who has greeted the Anya shoulder bag pattern warmly so far, by leaving a lovely comment on my previous post which announced its release or by buying a copy! Here's a butchers at some of the fabulous versions that were made by the pattern testers. (Plus, stick around for a giveaway...)

(vintage haberdashery print by Jane)

Of course I owe ENORMOUS thanks to all the Anya testers:

Claire S, Elisabeth, Jane, Nicola, Sarah, Louise, Claire Corry, Cassandra, Emily V, Abi, Ana Rita, Alyssa W, Amy, and Martha. THANK YOU, ladies!!! Your feedback was invaluable and it helped me improve to the instructions by approximately 1000%.

(teal with contrast floral yoke and button tab by Nicola)

Thankfully, all the feedback I received agreed that the pattern itself didn't require any changes. Therefore, the versions in these pictures were made with the same pattern that you'll receive if you buy, or win, the Anya shoulder bag pattern. Which leads me to...

(bold stripes by Sarah) 

Giveaway:

To help spread the word of its existence, I'm going to give away ten review copies of this pattern. To be eligible to enter, you must have a blog and/or Instagram account, but it doesn't matter how many readers or followers you have. You must also promise to make the bag and then blog about it with an honest review, or share your bag on Instagram with a couple of sentences about it (plus use the hashtag #SoZoAnyaBag) within four months. Deal?

(yellow with black floral motif by Claire S)

How to enter:

If you would like to receive a free copy of this pattern and are willing to make, review and share your creation, then please leave a comment in the comments section of this post. Please include what type of fabric you think you'd like to make it in (coz I'm nosy) and if I can't access your email address within two clicks of my mouse, then make sure that it is included in the post as well. Email addresses will only be used to contact you if you win. The deadline is midnight GMT on 4th December 2015. Winners will be chosen at random using a random number generator, and contacted within a couple of days. If you have already bought the pattern (or are intending to do so), you are totally able to enter as well. If you win, then I will refund your payment so you'll still be getting the pattern for free.

Good luck!  

(green corduroy by Louise)

(denim with red piping by Claire Corry)

(damask upholstery by Cassandra)

(floral by Alyssa W)