La Passacaglia Border Tiny Progress

La Pass border March 2024
La Pass border March 2024

I laid out the La Pass quilt in order to work more on the border. I am struggling this this section, which is getting on my nerves.

I don’t know if I want to keep those butterfly pentagons in that place or replace them with background fabrics.

I consulted with my friend Lindsay the other day and she has some good ideas, which I am contemplating.

Zebra I Spy Started and Finished

Zebra I Spy - front, empty
Zebra I Spy – front, empty

I started and finished another I Spy pouch very quickly last week. I needed another one for the Falabella templates, which I found when I was rummaging for the Piebald templates. 

I went out of my way to use the zebra fabric and I had just enough left for the various lining pieces.

Zebra I Spy - back
Zebra I Spy – back

As I have with all of the other I Spy pouches, I used the Anna Maria coneflower fabric again. I had some leftover from a previous project and was able to use it up. Some wrong cuts aren’t always useless even if they aren’t useful at the moment. 😉

Zebra I Spy - front, full
Zebra I Spy – front, full

The templates fit nicely inside this medium version.

Cal Piebald Progress

Piebald exterior, interior flap view
Piebald exterior, interior flap view

I am making good progress on the Cal Piebald despite not sewing much in the last few weeks. Making a few in a row really helps the subsequent versions.

As you can see the exterior is finished. My next step is to assemble the lining and insert it. Then I have to do that crazy step with the front, which was a challenge, but I shall persevere.

Piebald exterior, in process
Piebald exterior, in process

I think the outside looks pretty good. I am so pleased with how the fussy cutting came out.

In this photo, you can’t see the loop, which is long enough to slip a slim hand through and carry along. I am starting to wonder if a longer strap, like the one for the Sweetbay Crossbody would turn this into a purse? I suppose it would, but the question is whether it would be a good purse? There are no outside pockets for a phone or anything, so it might be a little awkward to use. Something to think about. If you have any opinions, let me know.

Grey Strip #2 Progress

Grey Strip #2 donation blocks
Grey Strip #2 donation blocks

The grey strip #2 donation top is finally in process. I finished the last two blocks and started working on it in earnest last week.

I used some leftover top sashing from the Black Strip #2 Donation top. Since I didn’t have enough I found some other random pieces from which I could cut a 1.5″ square. I think the variety looks very cheerful. I am not sure why I didn’t do that before.

I am now in the process of sashing all the blocks.

Cal Piebald Started

After making the Piebald #2 and Piebald #3, I decided to try a project that had been on my mind for awhile. Some time ago, my SIL#4 asked me to make her a bag she could use to take her knitting along. I designed and made the Knitting Box, but it wasn’t quite right and I wasn’t happy with it. We had made a trade and I wanted to keep up my end of the bargain.

Cal Piebald start
Cal Piebald start

Years go by and I made the two Piebalds, which gave me an idea for the Knitting Box replacement: a Piebald with a double zip. I showed her one of the pink Piebalds and she thought it would work. Her birthday is coming, so I am trying the project again. I have only made a small start, but I have high hopes.

I was so pleased with that zipper even though it was way too long. It is the perfect color to go with the Cal fabric.

How do you like my fussy cutting? I am pretty pleased with it.

QST #4 To Be

Donation blocks for QST #4
Donation blocks for QST #4

I gathered enough donation blocks – almost – to make another QST donation top. Of course, the grey strip blocks are still on the wall in progress.

I have one block in progress that will be done quickly, if I can every sit down to sew again.

I made all of these blocks, but I scavenged two back from Peggy at Sew Day, so I didn’t have to sew quite so many. I wanted to get to making the quilt.

Now I am wondering how many quilts I need to make before I know I am making a series?

Sweetbay Sew-a-Long Week 3

Sweetbay front: finished
Sweetbay front: finished

I made good progress since last week and the Sweetbay Crossbody bag is almost done! I just have to press it!

Putting this bag together was a little tricky, mostly because it is so small. The other thing I found interesting was that the gusset isn’t the same on both sides. You can see how it bulges out a little bit. it is very round on the bottom corners. I think that is from the gusset. The directions say to put the front panel on one side of the gusset and the back panel on the other. It was a novel way of putting a bag together.

Sweetbay front, open: finished
Sweetbay front, open: finished

I remembered to put a label in the bag. It might be a little too prominently placed, but it is what it is.

I have to admit that I thought about the label placement on that flap A LOT. It seems silly, but I wanted it to be right side up when I opened the flap, which required some thought. I did have to move the label once before I put the flap lining together with the flap exterior, because it was too close to the magnetic snaps.

Sweetbay magnetic snaps detail
Sweetbay magnetic snaps detail

I am really pleased with those magnetic snaps. Not all of my hardware matches on this bag, but those snaps are awesome. They are small. I didn’t even know I had them until I looked through my hardware bag and found them. The brand is Sally Tomato and I will definitely be buying them again.

Sweetbay back: finished
Sweetbay back: finished

I used a leftover piece of zipper by the yard for my exterior pocket. i was glad, because I have few leftover pieces that seem too long to toss. This was the first time I found a use for one of the pieces.

I think I would prefer to install it with the head at the top when it is closed, but I am just happy I was able to install it.

I also sewed the edges of the pocket to the seam allowance so the pocket wouldn’t sag once the user put something in it. I’d like to try perfecting my internal zipper pocket technique. I need to make a few more.

Sweetbay interior: finished
Sweetbay interior: finished

This is really a bag you take along with only a few things. It is really small on the inside.

This will go really well with the other Pink project bags.

Not sure what I will make next. I’d like to make a big tote bag, but I already have one for The Pink Project.

Grey Strip Blocks

Grey Strip Donation blocks
Grey Strip Donation blocks

I put some of the last grey strip blocks up on the wall to make into a quilt. They have been there for about a week and I have made no progress.

I need at least two more blocks to make this square or rectangular and I have made a desultory effort to make them.

I really just haven’t had a lot of time to sew. The items I have finished recently have been done in small snatches of time. I’ll get there!

Orange You Glad on Exhibit

Orange You Glad on display
Orange You Glad on display

In addition to Women’s Work 1, Orange You Glad was also in an art exhibit.

Yes, an art exhibit not a quilt exhibit.

My work had a “[name of company]’s Got Talent”. It was mostly performances, but there was also an art show on the side and I entered Orange You Glad.

Orange You Glad & me
Orange You Glad & me

They didn’t know how to display quilts, so I had to give them a lesson and bring a curtain rod, but the art handlers flung the quilts over plinths and that’s how they were displayed. It worked out ok.

 

Orange You Glad with tape :(
Orange You Glad with tape 🙁

I was kind of shocked when I saw that they had taped – yes Scotch taped! – the label to my quilt!!!

Clearly they were professional curators and it was only a few hours, so I didn’t worry about it too much, but it was still kind of shocking.

I had never seen a quilt on a plinth (pillar?) before, so that was an interesting experience. I thought it looked ok, though the border I sewed was completely lost.

Orange You Glad at work
Orange You Glad at work

I was glad to have the opportunity to have another quilt on display with paintings, wood carvings and other works.

 

Started the Retreat Organizer

Retreat in a Bag Start
Retreat in a Bag Start

Yes, I made a start on the Crafty Gemini Retreat-in-a-Bag project. In the 26 Projects list, I call it the Retreat Organizer. It doesn’t look like much because it is only two large pieces of fabric sandwiched together with Soft & Stable**.

I stopped working on it so I could finish Christmas gifts and haven’t gotten back to it yet. This may be the oldest bag ever. I really have to finish it.

In addition to Christmas gifts, I was also stalled because I was trying to decide whether to embellish the webbing like I did with the handles for the All Rolled Up bag. I finally decided just to finish the %$#@ bag. once I get back to it, I will just put the webbing handles on as is. If I decide to make another one, then I’ll think about embellishing the handles. I am not sure fancy webbing was available in 2018 when I bought the kit. Now, I can choose from Tula Pink webbing and the various webbing offered by Sew Hungry Hippie. I am sure a lot of other places have fun webbing as well.

One of the things about this project is that very large pieces of fabric and foam have to be cut. With my small cutting table, it is a big challenge. I could have used the dining room table, but didn’t think of it at the time.

Perhaps I’ll have time to work on this project next weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Finished: Lavender Dot Bluestem

Lavender Dot Bluestem - top
Lavender Dot Bluestem – top

I finished this Lavender Dot Bluestem several days ago, but am super busy and haven’t had time to post about it.  This was actually the second one I cut out; I just sewed the Chrysanthemum Bluestem together first.

The foam really makes this small pouch. There is something fun about this small very stiff pouch.

In this version I used some of the new zipper pulls I received and they are really great. They are not a set. I combined them myself.

Lavender Dot Bluestem - open
Lavender Dot Bluestem – open

The inside is a lighter version of the outside, I think. It is another cool fabric that I have been hoarding.

I remembered to put my label on. I did it before the piece was completely sewn together. I should make a note in the pattern as to when to add it.

I had to use dark purple doublefold elastic as the colors of that supply are limited.

I am super pleased with this pouch and will probably make others.

Sweetbay Week 2

Sweetbay Sew-a-long Week 2 Progress
Sweetbay Sew-a-long Week 2 Progress

I am keeping up with the Sew Sweetness Sew-a-long for the Sweetbay (that’s a lot of Ss and Ws!!) crossbody bag. This bag has a lot of prep and it started with week 1 and continued to this week.

Some of this week’s work was adding interfacing to all of the pieces that were not interfaced last week.

Sweetbay credit card sleeve
Sweetbay credit card sleeve

I also had to make the credit card sleeve, which didn’t turn out quite as expected. The written directions were a little confusing, but I walked away and came back and was able to figure out what to do.

Sweetbay credit card pieces
Sweetbay credit card pieces

In order to make the compartments, we were supposed to use a template made from the pattern pieces on the back. I was super pleased that I figured out how to make slots that I could mark through. I know this seems really dumb, but it felt very convenient and like an excellent solution.

This pattern does not have a acrylic templates and I am not sure why. I think the credit card sleeve would have been a good candidate for templates.

Using the hot ruler
Using the hot ruler

I also made good use of the hot ruler from Cyndi for this project. This was a Christmas gift I received and the more I use it the more useful I find it. It makes the folds a little thick, so if I need precise measurements, I need to be very careful. Other than that, I am finding it to be very useful.

Sweetbay back zipper pocket
Sweetbay back zipper pocket

I added to the prep work by adding a vertical pocket in the back flap. Vertical pockets look really cool. I also thought that back flap was the perfect location for additional storage, so I created an internal zipper pocket.

I had to remember how to do it, so I looked it up in a couple of books. First was Lisa Lam’s The Bag Making Bible**, which got me started, but left out (or I couldn’t find) some crucial information, so I switched to The Complete Bagmaking Masterclass** and got the info I needed.

Sweetbay zipper pocket in progress
Sweetbay zipper pocket in progress

One problem I had, which wasn’t critical was that I didn’t leave enough fabric on the short ends of the zipper pocket. See how there is barely half an inch on each small end? It worked, but it isn’t really enough and I had to be super careful to make sure the foam and exterior fabric got caught in the seam when I sewed the zipper in. It worked, but I sweated! Hopefully, I’ll remember next time.

Once I had all that done I was kind of exhausted. I am very pleased that I am making progress and keeping up with the Sew-a-long.

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.