In Monday’s post, I talked about my latest UFO and how I wasn’t sure what to do with the 4 patches. Should I make a small quilt or a couple of snap bags?
Quilting
What’s happening?
There’s a LOT happening in my studio … but most of it I can’t show you yet.
This month is an “Inspired by Nature” Blog Hop with Island Batik. That project is now sandwiched and needs quilting. This Blog Hop promises to be another amazing one! Everyone is making a project “Inspired by Nature” and is using awesome fabric that will be available in stores later this month!
Of the other secret projects:
- Secret Project #1 is done.
- Secret Project #2 is being quilted
- Secret Project #3 is ready to begin …
Design Wall
Piecing:
Scrappy 4 Patches: I have a bunch of 4 patches … these were started from a charm pack at some unknown date in the past. I found them when going through my stash. They were tied up with 2 semi-coordinating fabrics and I don’t know what my plan was or is …
Do I make another bag similar to THIS one, only with smaller squares?
PHD in 2020: Nov. 1 Report
SEW … how are YOU doing with your PHD in 2020?
- Are you getting there?
- Are you thinking of starting?
- Have you given up?
Where ever you are with your UFOs … if you’ve made any progress at all … that is good! Very good!
This year, I have done (in my opinion) extremely well with finishing UFOs. So far, I have finished 17! And when I consider that one UFO turned into 3 quilts … (Florabunda) … and another UFO turned into 2 quilts … (Dog & Cat) … Yup … I’m pretty pleased!
Last Monday in October
How can this be? Sometimes it seems like the days take their sweet time … and I turn around and it’s close to the end of another month!
SEW – What’s happening?
Design Wall
Piecing:
I’ve been slowly working on my Charming Bag. The last picture I showed was of it pieced together. (HERE). If you go back to the last picture, you’ll notice that the ties are not in the picture. That’s because I forgot them. Thankfully, I remembered before it was quilted … it was a simple matter of taking about 3/4″ stitching out and inserting the ties.
It is now quilted. Nice simple 1/4″ lines. I like the look … and it’s what the pattern suggests. Aurifil # 2625 (grey) was used for the quilting and the edges of the ties.
Quilting:
Quilted the above bag …
Stash Report
No finishes … no shopping …
- Fabric Used this week 0 yards
- Fabric Used this year: 277 yards
- Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 50.5 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
- Net Fabric used 260 yards
- Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
- January – Sept: 260 / 274
- 30 min days/ Oct: 25 / 25
- Total days in 2020: 286 / 299
- Percentage = 95%
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
Last week’s list:
- IB November: Sandwich not done
- Work on Secret projects √ done
- Work on Charming Bag √ done
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √ done
This week’s list:
- IB November: Sandwich
- Work on Secret projects
- Finish Charming Bag
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.
From the Heart Blog Hop
Did you see the post HERE? It’s a wonderful blog hop that’s happening now. Make sure you check it out. Plus … I want to know what YOU are going to make from all the inspiration!
Here’s what I made:
Are you interested?
If you’re interested in applying click HERE. You can read all about the program and what is involved. It’s a fun program to be in and one that has expanded my quilting abilities! I LOVE being an ambassador!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- 15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
- Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- To-Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By Us
- Colour Inspiration Tuesday @ Clever Chameleon Quilting
From the Heart Blog Hop
Carol from “Just Let Me Quilt” mentioned this blog hop WAY back in July … and of course, I jumped on the band-wagon. What could be better than a blog hop a mere 2 months before Christmas featuring small gift ideas? Carol comes up with the BEST blog hops!
Here’s my small gift(s) … they all nest inside this one!
Here they are poking out:
What they look like inside: (sorry it was hard to get a good picture with no shadows!)
And all 4 of them:
Details:
- Island Batik fabric from the Deco Revival collection was used for the lining and outer side.
- Soft & Stable was used between the 2 fabrics.
- The pattern is “Clam Up” byAnnie
- Aurifil #2610 was used for the quilting, sewing together and the trim
- Free motion quilting was swirls or wavy lines
- They were easy to make! And, I think they are very cute!
I used the fabric from the Deco collection for my byAnnie’s “Bowl Me Over” purse and October “Thread Painting with Aurifil” project (the elephant).
Make sure you visit all of the participating blogs … there promises to be LOTS of eye candy and all sorts of projects to tempt you into making some gifts “from the heart!” Let me know which ones YOU plan to make!
From the Heart Blogs
October 26
- Creatin’ in the Sticks
- Ms P Designs USA
- Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel
- Websterquilt
- Selina Quilts
- Cynthia’s Creating Ark
- Quilting Gail You’re HERE!
- Scrapdash
- Ridge Top Quilt
- Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
- That Fabric Feeling
- Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
October 27
- MooseStashQuilting
- Just Because Quilts
- Day Brook Designs
- Karen’s Korner
- Quilt Schmilt
- Kathy’s Kwilts and More
- Karrin’s Crazy World
- Words & Stitches
- Vroomans Quilts
- Sew Many Yarns
- Songbird Designs
- Samelia’s Mum
October 28
- Just Let Me Quilt
- Quiltscapes
- Beaquilter
- Seams To Be Sew
- Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
- Bumbleberry Stitches
- Days Filled With Joy
- Quilted Delights
- Den Syende Himmel
- Life in the Scrapatch
- Storied Quilts
- Kathleen McMusing
- Food for Thought
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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A Not Finished Friday
OK … so I don’t have a finish … but I do have a part of my Charming Bag finished. The front and back are now pieced together. It’s exciting to see some progress on this UFO!
Did you notice that I didn’t use charm squares from the pack on the bottom? I used grey fabric because I thought it would keep it cleaner. We shall see.
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Free Motion Mavericks @ Lizzie Lenard Vintage Sewing
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ AlyciaQuilts
- Sherry @ Poweredby Quilting
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
- Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
- TGIFF @ Kathleen McMusing
Ruler dislike!
I have the cutest ruler by Omnigrid. It’s 4″ x 8″ and I’ve had it for simply AGES. I went to trim some squares, using the 45o angle to centre the half square triangle. It just wasn’t working for me. Then I looked at the ruler … the 45o line ends up 1/4″ from the corner. Now, if I were to use this ruler, I would have to move it 4 times to get it correct. Not happening.
I pulled out my 6″ x 12″ Olfa ruler and look where the 45o angle is … right in the corner. I’m a much happier quilter!
I’ve looked at my other rulers, including a 2.5″ and 6.5″ Omnigrid square rulers, and the 45o ends in the corners! Is it me, or is this weird?
Continue readingA no-show finish
That’s right, I’ve got a finish – but I can’t show you until the “From the Heart” blog hop! I’m glad I’m finished – I just need to write up the blog post and then I’ll be totally ready for my day on the hop (Oct. 26). It promises to be an awesome hop with lots of small gifts – just in time for you to make for Christmas!
Want some Eye Candy?
Wendy at Wendy’s Quilts and More showed pictures from Aotearoa Quilters Aqua Challenge. Amazing! This is an example of some of the entries, but you’ll have to visit Wendy’s page to see winners and the close-ups!
Quilting
I can show you a couple of more blocks from the guild’s mystery quilt. There are 16 “feature” blocks … and I quilted each of them differently using a different pattern on each block while playing with a 2″ circle and a petal ruler.
I’ve been Featured
For this quilt! You can read all about it HERE.
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting and Learning – What a Combo
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ AlyciaQuilts
- Sherry @ Poweredby Quilting
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
- Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
- TGIFF @ Kris Knits Sews
Thanksgiving Monday
Nothing much to show
Usually, I try to have something to show on Fridays … and I like it best when it’s a finish … but this Friday all I have to show is this:
This is some playing with rulers on the guild’s mystery quilt … it’s all I’m showing because I don’t want to give away what the quilt will be. Plus, I am still in the process of quilting it … so it’s not even finished!
Other happenings …
I have TWO machines in to be serviced and have a spa visit. I took my Janome 6500 in before we left on holidays … they told me a month … I know they’ll phone when it’s ready … but I’m getting impatient!
With the 6500 visiting the spa doctor, I pulled out my trusty Featherweight and … GROAN … I’m not sure what happened, but it decided it also needed to go to the spa!
However, this meme is NOT true in my house!
I’ve also been working on some “behind the scenes” work … I’ll show you eventually … but it’s taking it’s time …
Socks …
I got my alpaca socks from Prairie Spirit Alpacas. It is cool enough today to have them on! They are pretty awesome! My toes are warm and my feet are not itchy! (they get itchy with wool). Alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic – so perfect for me! (If you order from them, put “Gail” in the code and you’ll receive a discount). (I don’t make anything from your order, except a smile!)
I’ll be ordering more socks for Christmas presents … I just need to find out if they want “Lux” for hanging out in or “Slim” for wearing with shoes …
Island Batik
Did you see the Elephant quilt that I made for Island Batik’s October challenge “Thread Painting with Auriril?” You can read about it HERE.
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Muv / Free Motion Mavericks @ Lizzie Lenard Vintage Sewing
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
- Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
- Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
- TGIFF @ Anja Quilts
Thread Painting with Aurifil
I am NOT an artist – as far as drawing and thread painting goes. Nope, not me! So, this was a very challenging and intimidating challenge for me to attempt!
I started with an idea … and started it and … it sat, because it wasn’t quite right …
I had this circle on the design wall for the longest time … I had cut 2 wedges out of each of the Deco Revival fabric package that I was sent in my July Island Batik box. Many of the pieces were directional and I needed to piece them to get the wedges to go in the direction I wanted.
I hesitated in piecing the wedges together, because I just wasn’t sure … and so they sat some more, were rearranged a few times and sat … and sat …
I had NO problems at all with the fabrics … I love them, but my idea … parts of it were good … parts of it were not …
So, the wedges sat.
By the way …. this fabric should be in quilt stores now … make sure you ask for it!
PHD in 2020: October 1 Report
UFOs
I haven’t finished any UFOs this month … Scrappy Repro is close … but it’s still a UFO and it’s still NOT finished.
Here’s a recap of the UFOs I’ve completed this year! There’s a total of 15, but some of them turned into 2 or 3 quilts (Dog/cat and Florabunda) … but they counted as 1.
New Starts
- I’m hosting a mystery quilt for our guild … so of course, I can’t show you that until they have all the clues.
- A couple more Island Batik projects … which I will show you when the time is right!
- “From the Heart” blog hop is later this month, and that project is still a WHIMM (Work Hidden in My Mind)
- Meadow Mist Designs Morewood Mystery
Linky Party
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Show your PHD progress.
Favourite Finish of the Month
I was going to link up to Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs for my Favourite Finish for September. At the time this is going live, I don’t see her link … I’m going to post it anyways and will link up when it’s available!
This purse, pattern byAnnie, is my favourite!!! I also think this is my favourite purse EVER!!! I’ve been using it a lot! It has tons of pockets and I’m able to keep everything organized! You can read about it HERE. This purse was made for the Island Batik blog hop “It’s in the Bag.”
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
- Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
- Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
- TGIFF @
Last Monday in September!
I just feel like I haven’t gotten a lot done this month … but that is probably because I was away for almost 2 weeks!
3 Housekeeping / Updating things
First
Did you see my post about when we were visiting friends who live off-grid in the wilds of British Columbia? I showed a picture of a quilt being made by one of the girls. I thought she was at least 14 or 15 … and it turns out she’s actually 13!!!! WOW!! Oh to be able to quilt at that level, using scissors (no rotary cutter) is amazing. You can see the post HERE.
Continue readingHolidays: Part 3: Alpacas
That’s right! Alpacas! We visited a dear friend, Carmen, I’ve known her for ages and ages … she has an alpaca farm … just a few alpacas! It was a ton of fun! Her farm is called Prairie Spirit Alpacas,
Every single alpaca has a name! I can remember a few of the names, but Georgia is the only one I can identify! She’s the one with the spots on her. We were in the barn and it was feeding time for the gals and young gents that need extra food.
Each one has a different face and expression! I don’t think they liked me very much – many of their ears were back. And some of them looked at me as if to say, “who are you?”
I hope you enjoy the slide show … and can you pick out Georgia??? And to make this about quilting … look at all the various neutrals in their fleece!
The alpaca fleece is very soft – especially from the young. One thing I love about alpaca fleece is that it is hypoallergenic. AND, it’s warmer than sheep’s wool. Now if you’re interested in trying any alpaca products, from Prairie Spirit Alpacas, put “Gail” in the purchase code and you will receive a 10% discount! I’ll be putting in an order for some socks for my cold feet!
Continue readingHello Fall Blog Hop!
The Hello Fall Blog Hop is hosted by Carla, from Creatin’ in the Sticks.
I made 3 table toppers. Two of them will go on end tables and the third will go on a small table between our recliners in the living room.
Holidays Part 2: Shopping
Ah yes, shopping. While we were visiting my sister in Edmonton, we just happened to visit a couple of quilt stores!
Our first stop was Quincy’s Quilting in Leduc (just south of Edmonton). I bought a couple of rulers and no fabric. And yes, there was a lovely sleepy dachshund in the store!
At Lori’s Country Cottage I bought a few Studio 180 rulers and my husband bought some fabric … I didn’t buy any fabric. Do you remember in August, for the Island Batik challenge, I used the “Four Patch Square Up” ruler and how much I LOVED it? (see HERE) Well, I bought 4 more Studio 180 rulers. I can’t wait until I’m able to play with them!!!
Design Wall
Piecing:
I finished all the blocks that I need for the Scrappy Repro quilt. And here’s some of the blocks – ready to be organized into groups to start sewing them together.
Quilting:
I’m working on October’s Island Batik challenge (sorry, no pictures, yet)!
Stash Report
No finishes, but my husband bought fabric from the sale area at one of the quilt stores. He rationalized it all. The red might be enough for a backing, the bug fabric will go in the quilt he’s planning (for me to make) and the green is to add to my stash because he thinks I need more green). I think he is an enable-er.
- Fabric Used this week 0 yards
- Fabric Used this year: 261 yards
- Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 35 yards
- Net Fabric used 237.5 yards
- Husband’s purchases: 11.5 yards
Stitchin’ Time
On Sept. 6, I stated that I had stitched 13 out of 13 days in September … that was SEW incorrect! Impossible to stitch for 13 days when only 6 days had passed … it should have read “6 / 6“!!!
I only sewed one day while we were away.
- January – July: 239 / 243
- 30 min days/ Sept: 10 / 20
- Total days in 2020: 249 / 263
- Percentage = 94%
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”
2 week’s ago list:
- Work on Scrappy Repro √ done
- Welcome Fall project √ done
- Work on Oct. Island Batik project √ done
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes. √ done
This week’s list:
- Work on Scrappy Repro
- Work on Oct. Island Batik project
- Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.
No changes from the last report …
BLOG HOP
This is Week 3 of a delightful blog hop. So many projects that are not quilts, but are using Island Batik’s wonderful amazing fabrics! Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations!
WEEK 3
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 24
For your opportunity to win some AWESOME fabrics – a fat quarter pack of Urbanization or Nouveau Soul check out the Rafflecoper at Island Batik’s blog.
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Tish @ Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- 15 minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces
- What I Made Monday @ Pretty Piney Quilts
- Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- Main Crush Monday @ Cooking Up Quilts
- To-Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By Us
- Colour Inspiration Tuesday @ Clever Chameleon Quilting
Holidays … Part 1: off grid
Yes, HOLIDAYS! We loaded up the camper and went to northern BC and then over to Alberta … I’ll tell you more about a few of the visits in future blog posts, but this is about our first stop …
Off Grid
We visited some friends that live in the wilds of northern British Columbia and they are off-grid. We had a wonderful time. They have a parcel of land and have homesteaded and … well, it’s just great. If you want to know more, visit their website or youtube channel and watch some of their videos …
An exciting part for me was Christina and her quilt. (I forgot to ask, but I think she’s about 14 or 15). She has an electric sewing machine (they have power from solar panels) and she is making a quilt for one of her sisters. This is the first quilt she has made. No rotary cutter … totally cut with scissors … What a LOT of work!!!
The pictures were taken with natural light from outside … Here’s a closeup of the piecing … I was in awe!!! Where the pieces are suppose to meet up – they are PERFECT!
Here is a picture of Christina – about to measure the width of the quilt because she wants to add borders to make it bigger.
I can’t wait to see the finished quilt!
It’s in the Bag Blog Hop
Week 2 of the blog hop is finished! What an awesome week with many wonderful bags! To see all the bags, go to this POST and follow all the links.
Go HERE to have an opportunity to win some AWESOME Island Batik Fabric!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts
- Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- Off the Wall Friday @ Creations – Quilts, Art, Whatever
- Peacock Party @ Wendy’s Quilts and More
- TGIFF @ Sarah Ruiz Quilts
It’s in the Bag Blog Hop: Week 2
BLOG HOP: Week 2
Are you ready for Week 2 of this fantastic Blog Hop? Make sure you visit the Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations!
September 14
September 15
September 15
September 16
Vasudha Govindan Metropolis
Joanne Hart Metropolis
September 17
September 18
Visit Island Batik’s blog for a Round-up of this week’s projects and your opportunity to win a giveaway!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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What to do with Left-overs?
I’m talking about Left-overs in the sewing room … A lot of times, fabric that is left-over gets added into the stash … this time … something different …
I had quilted fabric left over from when I made the Bowl Me Over 2.0 bag by Annie. See HERE. Just a few little strips … nothing much really … but …
I used a few of Annie’s wonderful tips and made this little bag.
As you can see, there wasn’t one large piece of left-over quilted fabric, but I managed to piece it together to make this cute little bag.
The fabric is from the Deco Revival collection, there is soft and stable and I used Aurifil thread to complete the bag. Thank you Island Batik, byAnnie and Aurifil!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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It’s in the Bag Blog Hop
This month’s Island Batik challenge is to make a ByAnnie bag. There are SEW many bags to choose from and I choose the “Bowl Me Over 2.0” bag.
When I did my unboxing video from Island Batik in July, the kit to make this bag was in the box. (You can see the video HERE.) Annie had picked out the Island Batik fabric from the Deco Revival fabric collection. Everything to make the bag was included: Soft and Stable batting, the hardware, zippers, mesh, elastic and webbing … Everything I needed to make the bag. There was also a coupon with the pattern to access the videos to assist in making the bag. Here are the fabrics from the Deco Revival collection that I was to use:
Deco Revival is shipping to stores now!!! It’s a wonderful line of fabric … can’t you just imagine all the wonderful bags and quilts you could make with it?
The Bag
Here’s a picture of the kit that was in my box!
When I make bags, I usually end up doing my own thing … but I needed to follow directions with this one.
Making the Bag
The instructions first told us to print out a sheet with labels on it to keep all of our cut fabrics organized. WOW!! Am I glad I did that! It helped a LOT!
Before I cut the coordinating fabric, I needed to decide what I wanted for handles. I choose Option 1 which gives me an over the shoulder strap along with short handles. It was fantastic to be able to choose how I would carry the bag! We all carry our bags differently and have our favourite ways!
I quilted the fabric with Soft and Stable (byAnnie) between 2 batik fabrics. The pattern suggested either straight lines or quilt as desired. Of course, I chose to do my own thing and quilted lines that sort-of followed the fabric. Aurifil #4225, a purple that came in my July box, was used for the quilting.
As I followed the cutting directions, I carefully labeled each piece, using hair clips to hold each label on. There are a LOT of pieces and the labelling was both a life saver and a time saver! A life saver because I didn’t become frustrated with which piece was which! And a time saver because I could identify each piece easily as I followed the pattern.
One of the inside pockets gave me the choice of using fabric or mesh. Well, since I had never sewn with mesh fabric before and I like the idea of seeing what’s in the pocket, I chose the mesh. For that pocket, I used Aurifil #2625 – Grey – to match the grey zipper.
As I followed the pattern, each of the components were made as directed.
Finally, I was able to put the bag together. Using clips was a great way to go. As you can see in the photo below, I used a couple of hair clips (on the right) because I had run out of the “cool” clips. The hair clips easily popped off. I obviously need to get some more “cool” clips!
Schmetz Super Nonstick 80/12 was used. It was the perfect needle, especially at the end when I was sewing through 6 layers of batik and 3 layers of Soft & Stable.
Then the bag was done!
The Front View … the flap at the front has a magnet closure and it’s nice and strong!
The Back View … there is a nice roomy pocket with a zipper.
The mesh pocket inside is large enough to hold my iPad!
The pocket with fold-over elastic is in 3 sections … will be perfect for my phone, reading glasses and a small notepad …
I LOVE it!
I had some fabric left over … SEW … I made a couple of coordinating masks using by Annie’s free mask pattern. The mask on the left was made with the alternate fabric for the inside pocket (where I used mesh). Annie’s mask pattern is a different from the usual pleated masks … there is a small pleat at the bottom which helps the mask fit better.
Questions:
- Would I make this bag again? Absolutely! Even though I’m not a great bag maker, it was made and I’m very happy with it!
- Was it hard? It was challenging for me. However, the videos that Annie provides for the difficult, or more challenging steps, made those sections a lot easier.
- Did I like “Soft and Stable?” Yes. It was easy to use and it gives the bag fantastic body!
- Was the mesh hard to put in? Absolutely not … Annie has a unique way (to me) of inserting zippers and it was easy peasy!
- Do I have any suggestions for someone who is thinking of making this bag? Yes … go to ByAnnie’s website and make the free pattern, “Easy Does It.” I watched a lot of the videos for this bag as I was making my Bowl Me Over 2.0 and it helped tremendously.
- Would I make another byAnnie pattern? YES!! I already have the patterns for “Running with Scissors,” “Take a Stand,” “Easy Does It,” and “Clam Up.” Obviously, ByAnnie’s patterns appealed to me prior to making the “Bowl Me Over 2.0” bag!
Disclaimer: All products used for this bag were provided by Island Batik and the industry partners: byannie, Aurifil and Schmetz needles.
BLOG HOP
Make sure you visit the other Island Batik Ambassadors that are showing their byAnnie creations! It’s a wonderful blog hop!
WEEK 1
September 8: 
September 9
Gail Sheppard YOU are HERE
September 10
September 11
Visit Island Batik’s blog for a Round-up of the projects and your opportunity to win a giveaway!
One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Quilting Gail 