Friday Finish: Swap Pouch

Popping in to share the wide open zip pouch I made for my Glamp Stitchalot partner.  I used Noodlehead's free tutorial and made the medium size pouch.  

Leftover flying geese parts in favorite prints and low volume background paired with essex linen make up the top, and I cut into my Carolyn Friedlander Carkai prints for the bottom and the lining.

I will do just about anything to avoid using interfacing, so I quilted the outside panels of the bag before assembling to give it some substance.  

I also made my partner a thread catcher using Crazy Mom Quilts pattern and opted for the quilted version.  I love the notebook paper fabric that I recently found at my LQS in the bargain bin.

Both items were stuffed with lots of goodies, and my partner seemed happy which makes me happy!  Each time I participate in a swap, I say it will be my last ;-))

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  I'll pop back in later with all the fun details on Glamp.  Until then, have a fantastic weekend!

Friday Finish: Passport Holders

Happy Friday everyone!  I am working on a couple of bigger gift items, but I do have a small finish to share this week.

hanging passport holder

My daughter needs a hanging passport holder for an upcoming school trip, and of course a plain store bought one would not do.   I followed (for the most part) this tutorial found on Pinterest to make one for Ally and her best friend.

the back

This London fabric bought at QuiltCon is perfect as that is one of their destinations.  The other fabrics are Cotton + Steel and Carolyn Friedlander.  The cord was something found in the process of cleaning up my sewing room closet.

crappy cell phone photo

I made these two as an experiment to see how they would turn out with plans of making another set a bit bigger to also hold a cell phone.  You never know with teenagers, so I was quite happy that the girls like them!

love the red zipper!

 I'm not sure what they are supposed to put in that plastic vinyl section.  I don't think advertising their personal information is a good idea.  I guess it would come in handy if using as a badge holder though.  Does anyone have any good tutorials for a hanging passport holder that is bigger and has an extra zip section?

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Sew Together Bag

Do you ever make a gift for someone that when finished you'd rather keep for yourself?  I made this Sew Together Bag for my sister who is attending QuiltCon for the first time, and I have to say it was difficult to put this in the mail!  However, I did put it in the mail, she has received it, and so now I can share the ton of pictures I took ;-)))

Sew Together Bag gifted to my sister

Michelle is totally obsessed with loves Cotton+Steel, so I made her bag entirely with prints from their first and newly released collections and linen.  I love the fussy cut centers!  There's Georgia and Mississippi represented along with her favorite kitty cats tigers in the centers as well as the pocket linings.

Georgia close-up

Back in the day "Mississippi" was abbreviated "Miss"!

When I made mine before QuiltCon 2013, I didn't piece the outside of the bag, but with Michelle's I made wonky stars with 1" finished squares.  I had forgotten how much fun wonky stars are to make.  I also forgot how much linen frays...ugh!  I did not have any quilters linen in my stash.  That would have been much better.

love these tiny squares!!!

The outside panel of the bag measures 13.5" x 9.75".   You do the math...that's quite a few 1" squares.  After piecing all those tiny squares, I felt like I had assembled a quilt top!

love my product placement?!

I am proud that I thought about the directional prints and not having the state names or the tigers upside down.  This was a concern on the outside of the bag and the pocket linings.

zippers and pockets

Each zipper is a different color which helps in remembering what is in each pocket.  Notice my zippers are all going in the same direction;-)  I regret being lazy and not switching to a darker thread when attaching the bindings.  My not-so-straight stitching lines are too apparent.

zipper installation

The optional pincushion would have obscured the pretty viewfinder reels, so I opted not to make one. I did add the felted wool needle landing (even though it covers up a cute bee) because I know Michelle is taking an EPP class and this should come in handy.

inside of the bag

Michelle says she loves her bag, and I really loved making it for her.  Have you ever made a Sew Together Bag?  I love seeing all the creative versions.  There's a hashtag on Instagram (#sewtogetherbag) if you're interested in browsing.

you can see my bag in the background

I'm beyond excited for QuiltCon 2015, and so happy Michelle is going too!
Will you be there? If so, please stop me and say hi!

Linking up with finish it up Friday!  

Happy Friday the 13th!

Friday Finish: Duffle Bag

I showed a quick picture of my completed duffle bag before I went to QuiltCon, but this bag deserves a little more attention.

Holiday in London duffle bag

The bag pattern is Holiday in London from BariJ, and all the fabrics are from Art Gallery.

roomy inside

The duffle bag is bigger than I thought, and I ended up using it as my carryon bag for all my fabric.  As with clothes, I tend to pack more than I need, so this bag weighed a ton!

Shoulder strap

The long shoulder strap helped with that extra weight, especially while walking through airports.  I had a dreadful thought that the bag seams would break open and all my fabric would fall out....right as I passed another quilter heading to QuiltCon.  So glad THAT didn't happen!  Remember, this is the first bag I've ever made - a big step up for me from zipper pouches.

removable bottom

I'm not sure you can tell from the picture, but the bag has a removable bottom insert.   The insert cover fabric is a nice contrast to the lining fabric.

pockets and piping

Everything in this bag is lined - even the pockets.  Sometimes I think cutting out the pattern pieces for a project like this takes just as long as sewing the bag together!   Did you notice the piping?  Another first for me.

label inside

  I was brave and used blue thread for my topstitching on the outside of the bag which I think looks nice.  I also stitched my label inside the bag; something I usually forget.

overhead view

The bag requires a very long zipper which I found in the upholstery section of the craft store.

zipper pull

I added a coordinating zipper pull since the zipper color is so plain.

another inside look

I can't tell you how happy I am that my first duffle bag survived QuiltCon and made it safely home in one piece after lugging all that fabric around.  Success!

Holiday in London duffle bag

Here's one more look.  Isn't she pretty?!

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy stitching,

Mini Monday: Sew Together Bag

Even though there is always room for improvement, I think I have reached the point where I can stop saying "zippers scare me".  Last week I tackled the Triple Zip Pouch, made another Circle Zip Earbud Pouch, and yesterday, I successfully completed another 3-D project.  I present to you my Sew Together Bag (pattern by Sew Demented).

Sew Together Bag

I was so excited about this project that I posted continuous in progress pictures on Instagram.  I wouldn't be surprised if other IGers were a little over my "sewtogetherbag" hashtags after a while, but this bag (any bag for that matter) was so out of my comfort zone, that I couldn't help myself.

Optional pin cushion

Half the fun of making this bag is choosing the fabrics.  I selected Aneela Hooey's Sew Stitchy for the outside of the bag, Love is in the Air and scraps of Olive the Ostrich for the pockets and side panels, and Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater for the pincushion, inside pocket linings and the binding.

inside view

I love seeing the black Sew script on the binding and pin cushion and when I unzip a pocket.  So appropriate don't you think?  I also added the optional wool felt for needle landing and my label below.

Wool felt for needles and a label

peek inside the pockets

Four zippers and a zipper pull later, and she is finished!  Ta da!!!  By the way, several have asked where I purchased my zipper pulls.  I ordered them here from zipit along with my zippers.  As I mentioned before, the bag pattern is by Sew Demented and can be found here.

closer look at the zipper pull

This fun bag will be going to QuiltCon with me.  Hmmm.  Wonder how much stuff I can fit inside?!

This in progress photo didn't make it to Instagram

After the Super Bowl (wasn't that a game!), I randomly selected a winner of my Peace Quilt pattern.  The winner is Anya who said, "Those are lovely! I might try it with Kaffe Fassett fabrics, not sure what size. Thanks for the chance!"  Thanks Anya for your sweet comment.  I will send you an email with the pattern attached in a PDF.

Peace Quilt Pattern

I appreciate all the kind words regarding my peace quilt pattern!  I read all the comments left on all the blogs, and I have to say you sure know how to make a girl feel good ;-)  Thank you so much, and if you didn't win a copy, my pattern is available for purchase at Big Cartel, my Etsy shop and on Craftsy.

 Happy Monday and happy stitching,

What's Up Wednesday: More Zippers, More Peace

Prepping fabric and supplies for another zipper project!

Red and Aqua

A little while back I saw the cutest bag on Instagram.  The pattern is the Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented.  If I can manage it, I'd like to make one to take to QuiltCon.

Coordinating zipper pull

Yesterday I cut out all the fabric pieces and chose my four (yes four!) matching zippers.  I even have my zipper pull chosen!

Chain piecing

I am also feverishly working on another Peace quilt to show on Friday when it's my turn for a pattern giveaway.

Text fabric

Today it's Mary's turn to show the peace quilt she made and giveaway a copy of my Peace quilt pattern.
I was pleasantly surprised when Mary agreed to test my pattern because I know her sewing services are in high demand!  Luckily for me, Mary is a machine and can crank out beautifully made items quickly. She sent me a picture of her completed (and quilted!) peace quilt, and it's lovely!!!  Please go visit Mary and leave a comment on her blog.  Tell her I said hello!

Pantone 2013 Color of the Year is Emerald

Mary is another Gruber buddy of mine and can always tell you how many months and days until our next retreat!  It's nice to know I am not the only one counting down until we get to sew together again.  I already have my room booked and am looking at flights....

Below is the list of corrected links to the various peace pattern reveals and giveaways.  They are all still open.

Monday, January 21 -  Katie at KT Quilts 

Tuesday, January 22 - Michele at  Nostalgic Cafe 

Wednesday, January 23 - Cindy at  Live a Colorful Life 

Thursday, January 24 - Michelle at  Frustrated Quilter 

Friday, January 25 - Stephanie at Peas in a Pod 

Monday, January 28 - Terri at Terri's Notebook 

Tuesday, January 29 - Doris at Made by a Brunnette 

Wednesday, January 30 - Mary at Mary on Lake Pulaski 

Thursday, January 31 - Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts 

Friday, February 1 - back here for a give away

Hope your Wednesday is wonderful! Thanks for stopping by,

Only one this time

After yesterday's triple zip pouch I wanted another zipper project but needed something quick so I made a circle zip ear bud pouch.

Used Erin Erickson's tutorial

This is the second one I have made, and I just love how quickly the pouch comes together.  I even remembered to add my label this time.

Can never find my earbuds

 Did you notice I cut into my Hope Valley stash again?  Still small projects until I can figure out the perfect quilt for these lovely fabrics.  

Need to vacuum my lab

These cute zipper pulls are a motivating factor to me.  Now I am actually looking for projects that use a zipper.  Who would have thought?

From the archives:  My happy place

I made a mistake with my Peace pattern bloggy party links.  My friend Doris will be showing her peace quilt today, and the correct link to her blog is this.   I just read her blog post (wanted to make sure I didn't mess up the URL again) and completely fell in love with her quilt.  She made some fun changes.  You NEED to see what I am talking about.  While there, leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of my peace quilt pattern. 

Sweet feet

While browsing my pictures I was surprised to discover that I don't have any pictures of Doris other than group shots (or toe shots or group toe shots).  Don't know why this is as I have attended three quilt retreats with her...need to rectify that in July.  I  have quite a few pictures of her quilts, does that count?Anyway, Doris is the best and was super helpful to me with the finer points of pattern writing since she has written several herself.  I am thankful for her friendship, admire her quiltmaking skills and am a little envious of her cool cars ;-)

Below is the list of corrected links to the various peace pattern reveals and giveaways:

Monday, January 21 -  Katie at KT Quilts 

Tuesday, January 22 - Michele at  Nostalgic Cafe 

Wednesday, January 23 - Cindy at  Live a Colorful Life 

Thursday, January 24 - Michelle at  Frustrated Quilter 

Friday, January 25 - Stephanie at Peas in a Pod 

Monday, January 28 - Terri at Terri's Notebook 

Tuesday, January 29 - Doris at Made by a Brunnette 

Wednesday, January 30 - Mary at Mary on Lake Pulaski 

Thursday, January 31 - Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts 

Friday, February 1 - back here for a give away

Thanks for stopping by,