I had planned to get more blocks for this project finished over the long weekend. In the end I only finished one. It has about 50 pieces. I finished a few other projects, so I don’t really feel that bad.
I need to make another one of these blocks and am trying to decide if I will use the same foreground fabric or a slightly different one.
I have about 9 blocks out of the many that I need. As I have said, the piecing isn’t difficult, just a little tedious.
I decided that I will make this Enigma and then get back to the Hackneys I planned and cut out. I am making amazing progress.
Kabloom Enigma body
I have all of the pieces prepped, the bottom quilted, which you saw in the other post, and assembly is underway. The second time is almost always easier than the first.
I remembered to put on my label this time, though this one will probably be for me and I don’t really need a label. I am trying to make it part of the process so each bag I make gets a label. I have a few more hours to make it a habit.
Kabloom Enigma bottom before binding
As mentioned before, this bag design requires binding and Sara shows how to do it on the machine. I sewed the binding on by hand last time, but decided that I would do it by machine this time. I am pleased to tell you that it went well and it looks good.
The bag looks like the photo above and on the right when it is ready to be bound. I had to keep the sides out of the way when I got to the binding part.
Janome foot F
I changed feet and used the Janome foot F with the little red triangle and kept the left hand tip of the triangle right on the fold of the binding. My seam line looks pretty good. I didn’t really check the bottom because it doesn’t show when the bag is in use anyway.
Kabloom Enigma binding
After sewing, the inside of the bag looks like the photo on the right.
The hardest part to sew past is where the zipper stops. You have to zip the zipper a little to keep it out of the way of the machine foot while keeping the bottom of the bag flat. It was a lot easier the second time, though still not 100% easy.
A few more things to do, then I’ll be finished with this bag.
Randomly, I have been pulling out papers. I don’t want to, but unwieldy is starting not to be the right word for the massive piece of unyielding fabric and paper with which I am working.
I have to be careful not to pull papers out near the edges. I also am not confident in this step so I am pulling out papers near where I am working so I can better maneuver. I suppose I’ll be happy later when I don’t have as many papers to pull out.
I can’t decide if this is a bag or a pouch. Sara said that Minikins Season 4 had only one true pouch and this one wasn’t it. Despite that I still tend to call this a pouch.
New Enigma – cut out
Despite the 5 million other projects on my list, I started another Enigma. I have to admit, in case you haven’t noticed, that I like to make bags more than once.
I know Sara used the Kabloom fabric for her model. I am truly not copying her; I just love those giant flowers. I have to admit that it was tough to get two pieces large enough out of the Kabloom fabric I have left. From making the pentagon pieces for La Pass Month 18, my yardage of Kabloom looks like Swiss cheese. I would have fussy cut more peonies if I had had a large enough piece.
One reason I started this one is I kept looking at that pink snowflake fabric and just had to use it. I have to say that the lining takes most of a half yard of fabric. After cutting out the pieces and cutting up the scraps into usable pieces, I don’t have any of it left beyond what is in my scrap bin.
I don’t quilt much and I enjoy the collaborative effort of making a top and allowing someone else to quilt it. Thus, the quilts below are mostly tops, but I will include a finished quilt once someone else finishes it for the group.
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 (machine work)
Nothing at the moment!
Quilts (Handwork)
I decided that some of my quilts 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.
Half Hexie Stars Project– I am reignited about this project after working on it at the November Sew Day. I have been working away steadily and can see the light at the end of the tunnel
La Passacaglia – I am now working on assembling all the rosettes into a quilt top.
Most of my progress involves thinking or just cutting. I don’t have a bag in process at the moment.
Ultimate Project Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started. I did pull the fabric, supplies and reviewed some finished photos that others posted, so I am one step closer.
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. I did pull the fabric, supplies and reviewed some finished photos that others posted, so I am one step closer.
Rose Petrillo bag – I found the pieces for this bag cut out, but not sewn.
Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – not started. I did pull the fabric, supplies and found a photo I plan to use as inspiration that others posted, so I am one step closer.
Still UFOs
I still have UFOs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled, it hasn’t been worked on in awhile or it is waiting its turn to be worked on. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.
I am annoyed that some of these are still WIPs. I just need to work on them!
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 don’t actually 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. WTH?
Hooray! I finished and I had plenty of time to post it on the blog post to win a prize. I may not win, but hope springs eternal.
I like this pouch. It’s interesting, yet normal, so surprising. It packs a punch and isn’t difficult to sew. There are some tricky bits, but it would be a boring sew, if the whole thing was easy.
We’ll have to see. I have some scissors and a pincushion I was gifted that I could put inside as a start.
The bag opens flat, which makes for a nice tray that keeps items confined in the car. You can see the bottom piece in the picture I took after I cut all the pieces. This will give you and idea of why it is flat.
Finished: Enigma Bag – end view
The zipper, though, zips at a diagonal, which I think is part of the interesting bit of this bag. It also allows the bag to zip up small, be completely contained and then open out flat. Clever, isn’t it?
I was concerned that there would be a hole where the zipper meets the bottom of the bag, but there isn’t. WHEW!
I always wonder how Sara thinks up some of these bags. I am always curious about the designs, but then I wonder how she figures out the construction. I know enough to modify some bags, but I am not sure how I would figure out how to make a bag like this.
Finished: Enigma Bag – accordion pocket
As mentioned, there is one accordion pocket. It is fully contained like the Sew Together Bag and the Ultimate Carry All Bag. This type of pocket allows the user to put something under the pocket like a ruler or quilt block (hand piecing?).
This pocket went together really well and even though the zipper contrasts with the pocket, I think it looks nice. Yes, I added one of the charms I bought when we went shopping for the Retreat. I bought a tool afterwards that makes it really easy to open the jump rings and connect the charms to the lobster clips. The tool is called Split Ring Tweezers**. Total game changer!
Finished: Enigma Bag: zipper end
I love the directions for the zipper tabs in this pattern. I really think my zipper tabs came out better than they ever have. In turn, this made my zipper look really good.
As mentioned, this bag is part of Minikins Season 4. Minikins patterns are only sold in bundles. This bundle has 12. There are at least two other projects I plan to make really soon.
Now I am worried that I won’t want to finish the Hackney pouches from Minikins Season 3 I have cut out. 😉
You can see the other finished Enigma Bags on the blog post.
**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.
Emmaline Bags has Giardini Edge Paint. This product allows you to color the edge of your leather, cork or similar products in cases where the inside is a different color. You can find more information on the Giardini website. I haven’t tried this product myself.
Emmaline Bags has quite a few new fabrics as well, including some solid colored canvas. Good for the knitting needles bag I mentioned a few months ago.
I talked about taking out the EPP papers a week or so ago. Reader Glenna mentioned her friend’s invention, a water pen for removing EPP papers. I don’t know that this is exactly what I need for removing the La Pass papers, but it is interesting. I think it is more for foundation paper piecing.
I happened to see this Baby Diaper Caddy Organizer** and thought how great it would be for tools. That is, if you don’t make your own bags. This one looks a little like the Oslo Bag.
I was pleased to see that Natalie from Sew Hungry Hippie now has purse chains. One that I purchased a few years ago broke while I was gone and I didn’t want to deal with finding where I bought the old one.
Julie reviewed a product called the Magic Carpet, a holder for your sewing machine foot pedal. It works in rooms with carpet. I have to keep looking, but it might work for you.
Jessica and Jamie from SewTite have a sneak peek of their new magnetic cutting system. See how it works in their video.
Media
Vanessa of Crafty Gemini tells you how to change the size of bag patterns in a recent WIP Wednesday video.
If you haven’t looked at the Strawberry Quiltcake IG feed, do it. Yes, it is a Tula-fest, but SQ’s fussy cutting is so great, you will be inspired to make some of the projects that have been lurking in your pattern drawer. Her work looks impeccable as well. I always appreciate that.
Projects, Classes, Patterns & Tutorials
Bonnie Hunter has a new pattern called Right Way Round (and Wrong Way, too). The pattern is great and it looks like one I could sink my teeth into. I signed up for the giveaway, but didn’t win. I ended up buying the pattern.
**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.
Well, I couldn’t just make one. I cut out a second Enigma on Saturday. It’s a second one with fabrics I like even though I don’t know what I will do with either.
Part of the reason is that I kept looking at that pink snowflake/spiderweb fabric all week and knew it would be a perfect lining.
I also chose the Tula Pink Kabloom fabric, because I love those flowers. I forgot that Sara also used that fabric for one of her Enigma bags. I feel a bit like a copycat, but I didn’t choose it consciously because she did.
This time I am going to remember to put in a label. I hope to find the perfect spot.
I surprised myself by getting more donation blocks made than I thought I would.
Spiky Star Blue #2
Spiky Star Blue #3
Blue Strip donation block #6
Blue Strip donation block #7
Blue Strip donation block #8
Blue Strip donation block #9
Invisible Hedgehogs donation block
Blue Strip donation block #10
Blue Strip donation block #11
Blue Strip donation block #12
Blue Strip donation block #13
Blue Strip donation block #14
Blue Strip donation block #15
Blue Strip donation block #16
Blue Strip donation block #17
Blue Strip donation block #18
Blue Strip donation block #19
Blue Strip donation block #20
Blue Strip donation block #21
Blue Strip donation block #22
Blue Strip donation block #23
Blue Strip donation block #24
Blue Strip donation block #25
Blue Strip donation block #26
Pink Batik donation block
I am definitely on a blue kick this month. I am definitely making another blue strip donation top even though I just wanted to make 3 blocks for the second Rainbow strip donation top.
I cut out and made another one of these pouches on Saturday. The acrylic templates for the Enigma bag were laying around and it seemed like the right thing to do. Also, I got a finish after almost no finishes during May.
The Enigma templates almost don’t fit in this large sized I Spy. Soon, I’ll have to pluck up the courage to try making one of these slightly larger. Saturday was not the day as this was a quick win.
The teacups look a little weird, because I used vinyl with stars on it (also from Sew Hungry Hippie). I think I prefer the glitter vinyl, but the stars are fun, too. I have a small roll of it, which is what I grabbed and cut before I realized what I was doing.
I am sticking with the Coneflowers theme. I can’t seem to get away from it.
So, I know this Enigma process must seem interminable. It seems like it is taking me forever to finish it and I have to keep reminding myself that working all week prevents me from sewing much during the week. Today I have time off and I will use it for sewing.
As an aside, I enjoyed my trip, but I am frothing with excitement thinking about actual sewing. AND, then, being able to actually sew.
Enigma inside binding – detail
The photo above shows the inside of the pouch. The intersection of the bottom and the side panels has a binding. This is a challenging method of finishing a bag. Sara doesn’t use it very often. When she does, I know there was no other way. The video shows Sara easily sewing the binding by machine. I took the coward’s way out and sewed it by hand. The part by the zipper was really hard. Zipper tape is no joke to sew through.
Enigma inside pocket – detail
I have only a step or two left to do and I hope to finish today so I can still post it on the sew-a-long and possibly win a prize.
Next, I will sew the inside pocket.
I used the video more for this bag than other bags. I didn’t try to understand directions that were confusing. I just went straight to the video. I kind of feel like I cheated, but I also don’t care that much.
The other day I posted a La Pass update. That night I went to work on joining two large pieces including the one I posted. That’s when I found the OOPs.
La Pass – extra Month 12
The piece includes Month 12 rosettes, of which there are multiples. the arrow points to one of the Month 12 rosettes. My problem came when I was looking for a second M12 rosette to put next to the emerald and chartreuse rosette in the middle bottom of the piece shown.
I couldn’t find it. It turns out that I sewed the two Month 12 rosettes into, what would be, the same location, but on different sections. That meant I had too many pieces for one location and not enough for another. More ripping ensued.
La Pass section with extra M12 rosette
For some reason ripping doesn’t bother me as much on this project. It is pretty easy to do, though a little messier than my normal ripping technique. I tend get a lot of little bits of thread everywhere.
The arrow in the ‘purple’ section (left) shows the other M12 rosette. I am leaving that one in and will start sewing it as soon as I have replaced some of the star points in the section above.
Star points have to be inserted into other rosettes to make the piece look cohesive. I may be able to start sewing the two large sections together soon. I still have to remove papers and may decide to do that first. Even a few would make the whole process a little easier.
I was only able to sew a little during the week, but I made some progress. A few minutes here and there do add up. The Enigma bag is almost done. I have a few more steps before I can use it.
It might be good for some of my bagmaking tools like the KamSnap. We’ll see.
At the moment it is still inside out and I have not yet installed the pocket in the center. I am eager to finish it and start another! I know I have a million projects on the go and another million on my to do list, but I’d like to get this right.
I have been working steadily on sewing the La Passacaglia rosettes together. As I watch others from the group post their finished quilts, I despair at finishing. However, I remember that I should not compare myself to others. I also note that I AM making progress.
This is the upper right hand corner. I have just added one of the M17 rosettes, the emerald and chartreuse rosette towards the bottom left.
Even though this is nowhere near the whole piece, it is quite large. I still have the papers, mostly, still on the back. The pieces are getting a little too unwieldy to keep them in much longer. Of course, the pieces I want to stay in are starting to loosen and fall out. Figures!
I worked hard on the Enigma in an effort to add my week 4 sew-a-long effort to the other efforts.
Enigma Zipper Pouch
One of the features of this bag is the interior zipper pocket. It is one of the first sewing steps and I am pleased with how it came out. I am not sure how this will come out, but based on what I know about this type of construction, I am happy with how it came out. I think the pocket is well prepared to be inserted into the accordion pieces.
I started to put the whole pouch together and found the construction to be really interesting.
Side panel with zipper
I like the way the bag, at this point, is hanging off the zipper. I still have to install the bottom at this point.
