I used the Boxy Clear Pouch pattern from Aneela Hoey. It is related to the Inside Outside Pouch I made for myself. The difference is fewer zippers. I think I like the Inside Outside pouch better, though this is in no way a terrible pouch. It would be great for a small knitting project.
Color Wheel Boxy Clear Pouch – back
I am pleased with the fabric I used. It is Carrie Bloomston fabric. I am constantly referring to the color wheel when we are in class. Sue will have a color wheel with her if she keeps this pouch around.
My idea was to finish months as they come, then go back to M3 to finish those rosettes. I am happy to say I am making progress. Not finished, but making progress.
I am working on the last rosette. Somehow I forgot that I had waited to baste fabric for some of M3 pieces until I was downstairs piecing away and started to run into the lack of pieces problem. I know I waited because I wasn’t sure when I would get to M3 and didn’t want the glue to fail.
I don’t want to use the hat fabric that came with the BOM. I need to find some fabric and baste those 60 degree diamonds before I can make much more progress.
La Pass triangle fabric
I am thinking of using the Carrie Bloomston fabric with the pink triangles again. It will create some continuity with other pieces and is far enough away from the M5 piece where I used it to not look bad. Even though most of the fabrics for these rosettes are in the lavender range, I think it could work. I could also use the zebras I cut and didn’t use, or more Dripping Roses. I think I need to look through my fabrics and decide. I bought a Marti Michell Magic Mirror**, as mentioned yesterday, that I will try.
**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item 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.
Pink Door was having a sale. I took the opportunity to pick up a few things I needed for my La Pass project, few gifts and some things I had been eyeing for awhile.
The idea was that you place your order and they hold it until the sale is over then send it. That meant that I received a giant box of quilt gifts right before Christmas. Some of the items were gifts. I’ll have to save a couple, because the box didn’t arrive in time. It is okay, because I forgot that I bought them for the recipients!
Marti Michell Magic Mirror
One of the things I bought, which was not on my mind, was the Marti Michell Magic Mirror**. Total impulse buy, but I think I can use it when I am selecting fabric for fussy cutting for my La Pass project. I could have really used this when I made the Peacock. It is a recommended tool for One Block Wonder quilts.
I also bought more glue pens – not the refills, but the actual pens. I have one, but wanted one for my travel bag and one on my cutting table as well. I got a lot of refills with the pens, so I am in good shape there.
Pink Door purchase
I am excited about also excited about the long handbag zippers that were on sale. I am sure I can use them for future bags. I got some mesh that will go with the fabrics I use for Mom’s bags.
As you can see I also got some fabric and some Tula Project pouches. It was fun to be able to shop for what I wanted for once.
**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item 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.
Since taking a look at gifts I made for Gerre a week or so ago, I decided to look at gifts I have made for Mom and Julie. Here are the various gifts I have made for my mom. Many have the different artist fabrics I have collected.
Cutting out pieces for bags is the hardest part. It is also, for me, the worst part. I often make two of a pouch or bag at the same time. Cutting out two of each piece at one time doesn’t seem to be that much harder than cutting out one. That is how I made this pouch. I decided on the spur of the moment to make the same pouch for Lil Sissy for Christmas that I was making for myself. I didn’t think really hard about the fabric. I grabbed this Alison Glass fabric, which is super cheerful, IMO, and for which I hadn’t yet found a use.
Lil Sissy’s Inside Outside Pouch – 3/4s view
I am on the fence about whether I should have used a different fabric for the zipper plackets. I have trouble figuring out where pieces are going to go and most independent pattern makers don’t really tell you beyond naming the piece. I think using the same fabric on this pouch looks fine. If I used fabric like the Dripping Rose again, I would probably use different fabric. The motifs get broken up too much.
Lil Sissy’s Inside Outside Pouch – interior
I picked a specific inside for this pouch, because it is for my sister. She is an artist, thus the splatter print. She seems to like the bags I make for her, though I have always used Paris related prints for her. This fabric is a departure.
Welcome to the first V&S for 2022. Hope you find some fun things in the collections I compile this year. Send along anything interesting you find and I’ll include it.
Projects, Classes, Patterns & Tutorials
I was looking at The Crafty Quilter site and saw a recent post. When I saw the picture I thought for sure Julie (of The Crafty Quilter not Friend Julie) had made a Mega-Pinnie. I have never seen anyone else make a Mega-Pinnie, so I was intrigued. It turned out to be a super box-like pouch not a Mega-Pinnie. The post, however, reminded me of the Mega-Pinnies. Maybe I need to make some more. Gifts??? The Mega-Pinnie designer’s post has some interesting options. One has a wrist strap. I didn’t see that before and it would be useful. Another uses horizontal stripes for the pockets. Blue Patch Quilter shows a number of different Mega-Pinnies. They are used for different things and have a variety of features and decorations. Would you use one for remote controls?
QuiltFolk is supporting a Kaffe-style color class.
Two people brought needlepoint projects to the Sew Day Holiday party last month. NEEDLEPOINT! I didn’t really think people did needlepoint anymore (stupid, I know), but there they were. Now I am seeing it everywhere. I saw a link to Ehrman Tapestry for Brandon Mably designs. I navigated around and found some Kaffe pages with inspirational information and a video. Now I want to do needlepoint. I am not going to buy a kit, though. I don’t need anymore cushions and I don’t need anymore handwork. Still it is tempting.
Tula had a video on how to sew 30 degree triangles.
Natalie from Sew Hungry Hippie has a whole Drive folder full of free patterns.
Check out the Bust the Stash Challenge from Border Creek Quilts. The block is now available. The block information is very complete and looks like the author knows how to write quilt directions. If you make at least 52 blocks (one per week for 52 weeks), you can qualify for a special prize. The page has previous stashbuster challenges as well. This project forces me to ask will your stash ever be busted? What does busting a stash look like? Will my stash ever be busted?
Do you want to know how to use SVG files with your Cricut Maker**? This is made with information from Michelle Graham who works with Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness.
Books, Fabrics, Notions & Supplies
Enamel Color Wheel Pin
Enamel pins are not really supplies, but Sew Hungry Hippie has some cool examples. I saw the color wheel pin and had to buy some as gifts. They have others that have really great crafting sayings.
I found this shop, Modern Quilt Company, when I was testing a tool at work. I always use quilt topics as I know the subject so well. I can identify the errors or weird results more quickly. They have the regular modern fabrics. They also have a blog with an interesting bag pattern. I also like the way their menu stays the same regardless of what page you are visiting. That feature makes it much easier to navigate. Lots of pre-cuts. If you want the Daydreamer kit, Pining for You by Tula Pink, they have some.
There are a lot of great places to buy zippers. Have you tried Zipper Valley?
Furniture
I am thinking of buying an EddyCrest Cutting Table. The model is 6040. I met this company when I went to Houston in 2014. They have really nice pieces. The sewing table I have now is really nice, but it doesn’t fit my upgraded machine, so I think a new sewing table is in my future as well.
Media and Inspiration
Barbara Brackman posted a unique and beautiful red and green quilt on 12/27/2021. Apparently there are three of them, which she followed up showing on subsequent days. I know this is really a modern quilt, but the angle of the swags and the spinning look of the Rose of Sharon variation blocks is amazingly beautiful. The quilt is owned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It makes me want to make one.
The Butler Method is a technique of putting in a zipper pocket. Someone mentioned this method when I complimented them on their work and they shared this video.
**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item 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.
I finished the Percheron Pouch over the Thanksgiving Weekend, which was a great relief. I couldn’t show it because it was a gift for my mom and she reads this blog.
I gave it to her on Christmas and she really liked it. She filled it up with all of the other gifts she received.
I really liked the look of this bag, which is why I decided to make it for my mom. I like making her bags I think are interesting. She always seems to appreciate them.
Percheron Pouch top zipper area
I really struggled with this bag. As I said before, I cut this bag out in June. Then it languished for all the same reasons that other projects languished: workroom upgrade and work.
I worked on it a little, but was frustrated with all of the sewing and ripping that I had to do. I don’t know what the issue was with this bag, but I struggled with the pattern and the video.
Percheron Pouch bottom zipper area
Finally, over Thanksgiving, I decided to work on it in earnest. Yes, I still ripped and sewed and ripped some more, but I was able to finish it.
I thought it looked good enough to give away even if it isn’t perfect.
I gave Julie this Large Retreat Pouch for her birthday the other day. This is the bag I made over Halloween weekend, but couldn’t show you since she reads this blog.
The Retreat Bag is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags. It requires a frame and the frame is not free, but also not very expensive. The frame allows it to open all the way, providing easy access to the contents.
Large Retreat pouch -aerial view
I realized around that time that I needed to get busy and start making any gifts that I wanted to make for the holidays. That weekend, this was one of two Large Retreat Pouches that I made. As I mentioned then, it was the first time I had made the large version of this pouch. I added a leash to this one, because I thought it would make the bag more useful.
Large Retreat pouch open -aerial view
This is a pretty large bag. It would be great for a few balls of yarn and knitting needles as well as some EPP. I think it could also be used for a sponge bag or makeup kit.
The lining actually fits pretty snugly though it looks baggy in the photo.
I used some of my favorite purple fabrics since this was going to one of my favorite people.
In Process or To Make
The ‘In Process’ is used to denote projects on which I am actively working or are on the design wall waiting for me to stitch. I am continuing to try not to put away projects. I find putting a project away ensures I never work on them, because I just lose steam.
Quilts
The circle quilt is on the design wall, which is folded up and not yet back on the wall.
Small Projects to Make or in Process
Most of my progress involves thinking or just cutting.
One Hour Basket for my stuff that tends to accumulate on the dining room table. I may switch to one of the Minikins projects or a Catch All Caddy for this purpose.
One Hour Basket for DH’s stuff that tends to accumulate on the dining room table. I may switch the pattern to one of the Minikins projects for this purpose.
Retreat Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started. Recently, I saw one of these made up and I am not so nervous about it
Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – not started
Ultimate Project Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started
Ultimate Carry All Bag for me – I have the inside pockets as well as the front panel made. I am working my way through the exterior and hope to finish soon. FINISHED! See above.
Westchester shirt – this is a Crafty Gemini pattern. I bought the fabric at PIQF in 2018. I have the pattern pieces cut out and ready to sew. I was held up by the supply list which wanted a Jersey needle. SIL #2 and Mary C said that a regular knit needle was fine.
Handwork
I decided that some of my projects are in a different class because they are hand piecing or embroidery or beading. They take longer. Thus I created a new category and have moved some projects here.
La Passacaglia – I am on month 3 (almost month 4) of an 18 month block-of-the-month project with Pink Door. I am more behind, but working hard to not get farther behind.
Still WIPs
I still have WIPs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled. A nicer way of saying UFO is a WIP. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.
Handbag Sampler – this is still the forgotten project. It should be on the UFO list. The blocks were teaching samples when I taught a sampler class some time before I started writing the quilt class sampler tutorials. I found one block recently, but otherwise I actually don’t know exactly where the blocks are hiding. I crawled up in the far reaches of my fabric closet to see if I could find them and they weren’t where I thought. I am sort of mystified as to where they could be. I haven’t even found a picture of all the blocks. Sad.
Lobster – I think I might make this into a tablerunner for the buffet. I think that will be a good and fun use of the piece even if the colors aren’t quite right for the dining room.
Pies and Points from 2016 Victoria Findlay Wolfe class. The last time I worked on it was when Julie and I had a playdate in April 2018. I brought this piece with me so I could cut more elements (Julie has a Sizzix). I lost my excitement about this piece shortly thereafter, but I am ready to work on it as soon as I get my design walls back up.
Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. No progress.
Serendipity Lady – I am still planning to take this piece to be framed.
Who Am I? – This piece is still languishing. Perhaps having a larger design wall will help me regain momentum. The amount of satin stitching I was facing was a problem until I thought of BIAS TAPE. I am going to make the words with bias tape, perhaps different widths, then I won’t have to sew the satin stitching. Red Scribbles and Friend Julie helped me come up with this solution. Now I just have to do it!
I have been stuck on small projects. It is because of the workroom redo , but I am also enjoying working on bags and pouches. Don’t worry, I am not giving up quilts.
I also finally made it into the green in fabric usage. WHEW! I’ll never make it to 100 yards unless I give a boatload of fabric away, but at least I have made up for the fabric I have purchased this year.
I know it wasn’t that long ago that I wrote a post about the gifts I have made for my friend Gerre. I have made her a few more gifts this year and wanted to post them all together again. Surprisingly, I had forgotten to list a few of them, like the travel pouch, so I have added them.
Gerre’s EPP Travel Pouch
Gerre’s Journal Cover
Gerre’s Pillowcases – February 2019
Gerre’s Classmates Tote
Gerre’s Mega Pinnie Gift
Sewing Machine Mat from above
Gerre’s Purse Organizer (#2) – inside
Gerre’s Eye Mask
Large Sugar Skull Retreat pouch
I have enjoyed revisiting gifts I made for Julie and my mom. I haven’t made as many gifts for Gerre, but I decided to revisit them anyway.
I enjoy making gifts for other people, especially useful gifts. Revisiting them is just a way to enjoy them again. I also like to see what gifts I tend to make for multiple people.
I definitely didn’t make as many donation blocks in 2021 as I did in 2020. Still, I have a few to share and I am a firm believer in the old adage ‘ every little bit helps’.
I started making the guild 16 patches in May. Even though I cut tons of squares, I just didn’t get to it. I was using other projects for leaders and enders. Then I started the workroom upgrade. It has all conspired to make me not as productive in the donation area than last year.
This is still an important part of my quiltmaking and I’ll get back to making more blocks again.
At work I have a team meeting every Monday. For some reason I started to show whatever items I made over the weekend to my workmates. Now it is a regular feature of our meetings.
Amy’s bowl cozies – top view
After showing the bowl cozies I made for the BAM swap, a big discussion ensued about what they were, how to use them. I offered to make some for everyone, but only my boss took me up on them. I finished them yesterday.
I am really pleased with the fabric choices. I am glad she wanted red and black!
After making these using the same tutorial I used before, I am thinking of making bowl cozies as family gifts. I could make gift bags as soon as I finish the bowl cozies and I wouldn’t have to do anything in December. If I start in January it won’t be so bad. You can remind me of my big plans when I am moan about family gifts in December. 😉
This was the other Large Retreat Pouch I completed over the Halloween weekend. I sent it off to Gerre for Christmas and am assuming she liked it.
The Retreat Bag is a free pattern from Emmaline Bags that requires a frame. The frame is not free, but also not very expensive. The frame allows it to open all the way, providing easy access to the contents.
I ran out of the ice cream fabric I used for her other gifts. I bought this, because I thought it was fabric she would like. I made some pillowcases out of the fabric and she told me she really liked them. I don’t really like it, however. I only had a yard of it, so I will use the rest of it for smaller gifts and then find something else that will work for future gifts.
Sugar Skulls Retreat Pouch open
I didn’t use the Sugar Skulls for the inside, because I always like a light inside for bags. As I have said a million times, it makes it easier for me (and people) to find things at the bottom of the bag.
I used a Joel Dewberry Notting Hill poppy print. I have had this laying around for a few years and am so glad I used it. The inside is so pretty!
Sugar Skulls Retreat Pouch zipper pocket open
Sugar Skulls Retreat Pouch zipper pocket open detail
As mentioned, this is the pouch in which I put an inside zipper pocket and needed to consult with Tim as well as watch the video. I also made a slip pocket, which is included in the pattern, but I don’t like it as much in this iteration. It will be fine, but I’ll do it differently, if I made this size again.
Sugar Skulls Retreat Pouch closed detail
I had some zipper pulls and decided to use one on this bag. I got these on sale at Michael’s, I think, and always forget I have them. I have been going through my hardware bag regularly. I remembered and thought one would be a great addition.
