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$23.97 USD $55.00 USD
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Stop guessing your way through bagmaking and start understanding the why behind every technique.
If you've been winging it with bag patterns—hoping your interfacing choices work out, crossing your fingers that your zippers don't pucker, or wondering why your bags don't look as polished as the photos—this bundle gives you the knowledge and the practice project to change that.
Most bagmakers learn by trial and error, which means wasted materials, frustrating results, and bags that don't hold up over time. You follow the pattern, but you don't understand why certain techniques matter or how to troubleshoot when things go wrong.
This bundle teaches you to think like a confident bagmaker—not just follow instructions.
The eBook gives you the understanding—the principles, techniques, and troubleshooting skills that apply to any bag you'll ever make. The Kathy Tote gives you the application—a real project where you practice those skills and see the results firsthand.
Together, they transform you from someone who follows patterns and hopes for the best into someone who understands bagmaking and can tackle any project with confidence.
This works for you even if:
After working through this bundle, you'll confidently choose interfacing for any project, install zippers that lay flat and smooth, construct structured bags without foam or stiff materials, troubleshoot problems instead of starting over, and approach new bag patterns with understanding instead of uncertainty.
Purchase the eBook and pattern together and pay less than buying separately.
This listing is for digital products only. Both the eBook and pattern are delivered as PDF downloads. No physical items will be shipped.
© 2026 Be Mandy Things. All rights reserved.
The eBook and pattern are for personal use only. Handmade items made using the pattern may be sold on a small, handmade scale. Please credit Be Mandy Things as the designer.
These materials may not be copied, shared, reproduced, or distributed in any form, including digitally, without written permission from the designer.
Great instructions!
The Kathy tote pattern was simple to follow, even for a beginner. Love the way it turned out!
The pattern was well-written and everything makes sense. Since it’s beginner friendly, I would have appreciated a tip on lining up the outside panels so that the middle seam lines up. Same for the top of the inner pockets, even though that’s less important to me on this first try, since the bag is for me. This is the only reason it’s 4 stars instead of 5.
Hi Cris, I’m glad you enjoyed sewing the Kathy Tote and found the instructions easy to follow! Just to clarify for anyone reading your review, both of the tips you mentioned are included in the pattern. Page 9 includes instructions for matching the center seams of the exterior panels, and page 13 includes instructions for aligning the inner pockets. Both sections also include photos and markings to help draw attention to those alignment points while sewing.
I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and hope you enjoy your new Kathy Tote!
Amanda
I love it!! Can’t wait to start. I am just finishing off a quilt and looking forward to trying some tote bags😊
Kathy tote pattern was good. But the sew better bags was not worth the money. There was not enough content to bother.
Great directions and full color illustrations are helpful.
The instructions are so easy to follow. Plan to make several for gifts
I’m excited to make my first Kathy Tote! I’ve been making totes and zippered pouches for several years, but I wanted to learn more about structure, explore different interfacing options, and try a new pattern.
I’ve seen Be Mandy Things on Facebook and Instagram, so I decided to purchase my first pattern and eBook. The pattern is well-written, easy to follow, and clearly explained. I’m looking forward to making this bag and will likely be ordering more patterns in the future.
Great info. Using it already.
Just exactly what I wanted to help me make better bags! Great resource and very clearly written out. A worthwhile purchase 💜
Love the detail description for every step of this pattern. I’m learning so much about the right and wrong way to do things. Thank you for your excellent teaching.
Instructions and pro tips very helpful!!
YES! Buy it! Don’t hesitate or even think about it. I read it once I downloaded it, and now I keep it out on my sewing table. It’s a great resource that I constantly refer to. I have learned so much from this book and it has taken my bag making to a new level and made sewing even more enjoyable and taken away the frustration of not knowing what to do.
The pattern written instructions are very easy to follow. My only suggestion for the patterns would be a you tube video link for those of us who purchase your patterns.
I will continue to buy from Amanda, she provides excellent customer service, with very prompt responses to inquiries. I am a very happy customer!
Great pattern, very well explained and detailed pictures
My little bag turned out pretty cute
The pattern was great and I enjoyed sewing it. The only thing I would suggest for new sewists is to mention the stitch length that would be best for each part of the process.
Looks a great pattern easy to understand, spacious tote
Very well written and comprehensive pattern bundle. Thank you. I look forward to creating this pattern with my favorite fabric charm packs!
This and all Amanda’s patterns are absolutely amazing. I had not sewn for years and during the hit southern summer I decided to try my hand at my first tote was the “Kathy” tote. All my family wants one. Second was the Joanna tote, my most recent purchase. Absolutely adorable and family wants this one too. So thank you for the easy to follow directions that as a bonus includes photos. I will be purchasing more.
The pattern is written so clearly, just like Mandy was here with me! I love the details she tells you about that you can add if you want, like magnetic snaps and rivets for added security on the pockets and it’s so easy to customize pockets etc… this was my very first purse project and it wasn’t the least bit complicated or stressful, so proud of how well it turned out
Pattern is clearly written, easy to follow instructions, I used the sizes in this pattern and applied to the Joanna pattern
I love it! It is made perfectly in every way! I couldn't be happier. Thank you for deciding to sell your work
this pattern was very well written and easy to follow. Since purchasing last week I have made 4 Joanne tote bags!
This was a fun and quick little project. I even found unique fabric for the stripes: the white has the words to The Star Spangled Banner printed on it (also in white so only faintly visible) and the red has pinwheels on it!
