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Be Mandy Things started with two little kids, a sewing machine, and a stay-at-home mom who needed something creative to do during naptime.
Hi, I'm Amanda! I've always loved making things, and sewing became my creative outlet while raising my boys. I taught myself to make bags through countless YouTube tutorials, plenty of trial and error, and more than a few projects that didn't turn out quite like the picture.
When my youngest started kindergarten, I was preparing to return to teaching. Then COVID happened, and suddenly my sewing hobby had produced enough bags to take over the house!
After hearing "You should open an Etsy shop!" one too many times, I finally did in June 2020. My first handmade bag sold in less than 12 hours.
Over the next few years, I worked with textile companies, continued developing my bagmaking skills, and eventually discovered pattern writing. That's when my two worlds came together. I took everything I knew about creating a good lesson plan and applied it to writing sewing patterns.
And that's how Be Mandy Things became what it is today.
As a self-taught bagmaker, I know how frustrating it can be to follow a tutorial and still end up wondering what went wrong. I've made plenty of bad bags on my way to making good ones!
Today, our mission is to create PDF sewing patterns and helpful resources that take the guesswork out of bagmaking. We want to help you make beautiful, structured bags, learn new skills, and get great results using the sewing machine you already own.
We're so glad you're here. Let's make some bags!
Want your handmade bags to look more polished? Discover three simple bagmaking techniques that can make a surprisingly big difference. These are the same upgrades I use on nearly every bag I sew, and they're easy to add to your next project.
Think you need a heavy-duty sewing machine to make beautiful bags? Think again. Learn why your home sewing machine is likely more capable than you realize, plus the simple techniques that make a bigger difference than upgrading your machine.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the bagmaking supplies people say you need? In this beginner-friendly guide, I'll walk you through the essential tools, fabric, thread, and interfacing I'd buy if I were starting over with only a sewing machine—plus what you can confidently skip for now. Perfect for new bagmakers who want to get started without breaking the bank.
