This is the bag that I made for Friend Julie for Christmas.
Purple Couch Hackney
I finished this quickly back in October, which was fortunate, because I didn’t have much sewing time in October and November and December quickly became busy. When I was ready to sew, I surprisingly, found all the pieces already cut out. I don’t remember cutting them all out, but I must have at some point. 😉 It was like magic and reminded me that the prep for bags takes the longest time in terms of making the bag.
This bag matches the Mini-Maker Case I made for Friend Julie back when the mini Oliso came out. That was during the pandemic as I remember opening our gifts for each other in a parking lot! LOL!
Couch Hackney corner view
This is one of the best Hackneys that I have made. It stands up very well. I filled it with almost all of the Christmas gifts I bought for her. It is amazing how much it holds.
I am not sure this is exactly the right color zipper, but it goes pretty well with the bag, overall. I don’t think the regular purple zipper available would match any better.
Couch Hackney – interior
The interior is a completely different purple, actually more of a lavender.
In this version of the Hackney, I put a glitter vinyl pocket. It will be good for flat items, but does not stretch at all, like the mesh pocket and, thus, I think items might slip out. I hope not, but I thought of that later.
Couch Hackney interior – labels
I am still working on making sure I put a label in each bag that I make. I was able to add two to this one.
My goal is to always put one of my AQ labels inside. I am also, every now and again, adding one of the labels that Julie gave me as part of the 2022 Advent calendar. I really like those labels. That was a great gift.
As I said, I am pleased with how this bag came out and the more I look at it, the more I want to make a Hackney for myself.
I am sure I have said this before. One of the things I love about my cell phone is always having a camera handy. I don’t think I say it enough, however, because it is a fabulous tool for inspiration.
Lettuce?
Cabbage?
I saw these plants (cabbages?) while I was traveling and thought of Philip Jacobs and his fabric designs. Philip included these particular designs in the Brassica collection. Free Spirit categorizes these as classics, which, I hope, means they will always be in print. Fingers crossed!
I am so appreciative of how generous people were to me for the Christmas holidays. You saw the gifts I made. I was equally bestowed with beautiful items.
Gifts from Carrie and SueG
I received these lovely things when we went out to our, now annual, I think, Holiday Lunch.
Carrie made the scissor cozy and I have been using it a lot. It is perfect for my To Go bag. I can always find a sharp pair of fabric scissor a convenient pair of paper (and other non-fabric) scissors. Additionally, the non-fabric scissors are turquoise! That is a totally added bonus.
Scissor Cozy from Carrie – detail
I have several pair of my own scissors, but the new Ginghers fit nicely into the cozy. I might need to make some of those cozies. I also have to get Carrie to show me her KamSnap technique. That KamSnap is securely attached to the fabric in a way I have never been able to achieve with my KamSnap device**. I prefer the SnapSetter. However, since I have the thing, I want to be able to use it. Carrie doesn’t know it yet, but she and I are going to have session at some point.
Tilda fabric gift from SueG
SueG also gave some lovely things. One is a fat quarter pack of Tilda fabrics. I always look at these fabrics, but never buy them. This little pack is a nice treat. I like the colors a lot. No, I don’t know yet what I will do them, but bag linings keep flashing into my mind. This is a ridiculous notion as you know I like my bag linings to be light colored. We’ll see.
Gifts from Gerre – tea towels, ornament
I received a small package a few days before Christmas from Gerre who sent me the most adorable ornament as well as two tea towels.
The tea towels fit with the color scheme of my kitchen and I like the design. They look slightly in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. I like the simple design and by simple I mean that there is only one design on each towel.
Gifts from Cyndi – 2023
I received a fat quarter and a ironing ruler as well. This is something that I can really use as many bag patterns say to iron a seam over by a certain measurement.
I don’t think I knew this type of tool existed, but I am certainly happy with it.
The fat quarter is a print that is one of my favorites. I love those large poppies. I might use it to make a Hackney for myself. I used it for an Andalusian pouch for Megan. I don’t need more fabric, but I can always use it. 😉
Christmas quilt related gifts
DH and I only bought a few gifts for each other, because we bought a couple of large gifts for the house recently.
I actually received two of the Scrappiness is Happiness** books. I think I will finally have enough WonderClips**! I still haven’t received my order of rotary blades from LP Sharp. There was a problem with my order, so I am glad to have received a new replacement pack of 45mm blades**.
Christmas 2023 gifts from Julie
Finally, Friend Julie and I had our annual NYE dinner where we exchanged Christmas gifts.
She was reading my mind. I really wanted the Sew Tites EPP Palette and she got me one. I can’t wait to try it out!
The foot pedal mat is already in use. For the first time in YEARS, my sewing machine foot pedal is staying put.
I also really want to read about how the New Deal affected quiltmaking, so A New Deal for Quilts** is a welcome addition to my library.
Gifts from Amanda
Last but not at all least is a gift from Amanda. I know the pie cookbook isn’t exactly quilt related, but quiltmaking goes so much better with pie. The fabric is wonderful and I have to think of something awesome to do with it.
I feel so fortunate to have such lovely family and friends give me such lovely gifts.
**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.
2023 fabric used: 58.63 (30% used for Charity) – I can really believe I have made all the items listed below with 25 yards of fabric! It really doesn’t take much fabric to make a quilt.
I seem to be finishing four – six quilt projects per year. Four of the projects below were long time residents of my 26 projects list. I am pleased to have them finished.
As you know, 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 have included the finished quilt once someone else finishes it for the group.
I never seem to make as many tops as I think I should. These are pretty nice tops, though, and I am pleased to say that I usually have a donation top, or some blocks, under the needle.
Friendship Star donation top
Pink Strip donation top – finished
Spiky 16 Patch #5 with border
Ends n.15: Leftovers
Ends n.16
Ends n.17 (Plaid) Finished
Blue Strip #3 donation quilt
QST 16 Patch in process
Red Improv donation quilt finished
Orange Improv Donation quilt finished
QST 16 Patch #2
Black Strip donation top with border
It would be great if I was able to make one more donation top before the end of the year. 12 quilt tops = 1 top per month, though I didn’t make all of them this year. Regardless, the blog symmetry is good.
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, so that they stay off my UFO list. I find putting a project away ensures I never work on them. Out of sight out of mind, I guess.
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.
La Passacaglia – The rosettes are all assembled. I am working on the border.
Retreat Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list. I finally started it. I am determined to finish it soon, if for no other reason than to get it off my list.
Rose Petrillo bag – I still have the pieces for this bag cut out, but have not started sewing.
Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – Still not started, but higher up on my mental list. The fabric and supplies are still ready to go.
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. I found one block in the not-too-distant past, 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?
This is quite a few donation blocks (188 at last count)! I am pretty pleased with how many blocks I made this year. I know you saw many of these yesterday. Scroll down to revisit the ones I made earlier this year.
I realize that most of these are black or light grey. This is a result of working through my black, grey and brown scrap bin.
Unfortunately, I was being odd when I first started naming these blocks and so they are all called Dark Grey…. I will probably end up making, at least, two quilts out of the blocks you see. I think I will make a light grey and a black quilt, but it depends on how much light grey I have. The drawer was full when I started and I still have quite a few scraps, though most of the straight strips have been used.
I was able to make so many because I used a strip piecing method and just zoomed them through the machine. I also didn’t have to worry about matching any seams since I trimmed them to the right size once I had a large enough piece.
Our holiday celebrations were a bit topsy turvy this year as the normal hosts, SIL#4 and BIL#4, of our family Christmas Eve party were out of town. As a result, I invited my niece, their oldest daughter and her fiance over for Christmas morning.
This was great as they are delightful guests, but I didn’t have enough stockings. I have enough for the three of us, my parental units and one spare for random visitors. Now I have two spares.
Stocking cut and in process
I had a lot to do over the past few weeks and was busy as work. Though this project was on my mind, I didn’t start making it until Christmas Eve. I put the YM in charge of the dinner and went off to make a stocking.
I found some line art I wanted to use, then I traced one of the stockings, made the motif and sewed the whole thing together. It has been several years since I made stockings, but this one went together pretty well and looked good when finished. My soon-to-be nephew was pleased to be included.
Finished Stocking
I am pleased with the way the stocking came out. I spent, maybe an hour, on the whole project. The ‘pattern’ is relatively simple. I use felt because I don’t have to worry about raw edges, but you could make one quilted and appliqued as well..
I really want to work on embellishing the stockings in general. I may start on that this evening. I plan to put a spine on the holly, but we’ll see when. I try to do a little every year, but don’t always get to it before we put the Christmas decorations way.
I made this book cover for my mom for Christmas. I wanted to enter the Sew Sweetness challenge for the month, which used this pattern. I didn’t think I would ever make it as I don’t normally carry books around. Then I talked to my Mom about her book club and all the pieces came together in my mind. It seemed like a good opportunity to make sure she can take her Bible to book club (Bible study??) in a chic and personalized manner.
Goldenrod book cover – open
The Goldenrod Book Cover is one of the patterns that make up Minikins Season 4.
The idea is that you slip the cover of the book into each of the slip pockets and then zip the cover up. The handle is on the top (see above), which allows the owner to carry it. I thought it would be good to put a shoulder strap on it, but didn’t have the time to work out that change, so left it for another day.
Some of the construction is similar to the Hackney pattern– the gusset and the piece under the handle that connects the ends of the gusset. I am sure it makes sense in terms of pattern writing, but I appreciate it as I feel like I am gathering a bunch of skills that can be interchanged between patterns.
Goldenrod book cover – handle
I used a piece of cork (?) I bought from Sew Hungry Hippie. They don’t have the exact color any more, so I am not linking to the product. It is called cork microfiber backing. I had some trouble with skipped stitches while sewing it. I tried different needles and rethreading. Nothing worked so I have reached out to the team at Sew Hungry Hippie to see if they have any suggestions. Writing to them made me think that I had not tried different thread. As you know, I mostly use Aurifil and have a lot of colors. Of course, I have other thread, but not in the array of colors.
It is important that I figure out how to use this material since I want to use it for the Rockstar bag. I’ll need more of it for that pattern and don’t want to fight with it the entire time.
Mom seemed to like it and I hope she will be able to use it. She really liked the rainbow zipper.
Haha! I am off work for a week. While I don’t get paid, I am excited to have some time off. The YM is home, so we are doing a lot.
I will post more about these projects, but I wanted to show you all the gifts I made for Christmas and December birthdays. It doesn’t look like a lot, but I have been busy.
Purple Dot Project Bag
Disco Double Zip Pouch – finished
Couch Hackney – interior
Fish Hackney – done – top
Gerre’s project bag #1
Gerre’s Project Bag #2
BAM Swap pincushion 2023
Sue’s Kit Supply Tote
Carrie’s Kit Supply Tote
Paint Tube Enigma for Mom
Goldenrod book cover
I feel like I sewed more than are shown here, but I can’t find them if I did.
Paper Christmas Tree by Little Lovables (http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2009/12/paper-christmas-trees.html)
I am taking another day off to hang out with my family. Despite this lack of real content, I wish everyone peace and kindness in your life. Have a great day!
Black Color Strip donation block with cornerstones
I spent some time yesterday, before I started cooking and wrapping, cutting sashing strips and cornerstones. I thought about putting colors in the cornerstones, but ultimately decided that I would stick with black. My goal, after all, is to clear out that scrap bin.
I wanted to get all the pieces cut so I would be able to sew if I had a few minutes in between the crazy. I tried all day yesterday to press a gift and that hasn’t gotten done, so I doubt I’ll find the time. Still, I am making progress.
Even though I finished enough blocks to make the Black Color Strip donation top, I continued to make blocks. After all, I had more strips. I don’t have quite enough for two donation tops, but I am getting there.
I am nearing the end of my stash of black strips, but I still have a few blocks coming together. As I finish these new blocks, I have replaced a few of the original blocks you saw in the previous post. I thought I would show you a comparison and see what you thought.
All of the Black Strip donation blocks- 17 Dec 2023
Black Color Strip donation blocks -23 Dec 2023
I have added the dates so you can see the difference. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
I have been thinking about zipper installation since my sewing date with Cyndi. There, I installed two zippers.
Enigma #3 inner zipper pocket top
The first one was the small pocket zipper, which went into place with no problem. That small pocket is a great opportunity to use some smaller zippers.
The second was the zipper for the overall bag, which didn’t go together at all well. This was completely my fault, because I was being lazy. I didn’t install the zipper foot and, thus, the edge of the regular foot interfered with the smooth installation of the zipper.
Installed zipper looks beautiful
I suffered for my laziness and hope to have learned my lesson. I unstitched the whole zipper, installed the zipper foot and re-sewed the zipper. There were no wobbles using the zipper foot. My only complaint was that I found the end of the thread to be a pain because there is no foot under which to anchor it. I hope I will now have the habit of installing the zipper foot in the future.
Trim away foam in zipper opening
On another bag, I installed an internal zipper pocket. I have always found that pressing the area around the zipper opening into shape before installing the zipper to be less than satisfactory. In this latest pattern, the designer suggested trimming away the foam to make the preparation for topstitching easier. I did that and did find it a bit easier. I could have probably trimmed more, but was trying to be careful since I have never done that before. If you haven’t ever made an inside zipper pocket, take a look at this tutorial. Also, Sara from Sew Sweetness* has a video for using her acrylic template. I have one of those templates and use it every time I make one of these pockets.
We planned to make the Enigma Bag (Sew Sweetness, Minikins Season 4) together back in November, but life happened, so we didn’t get to it until last week.
I have to admit that the Enigma Bag might be my new Hackney Bag – that is a bag I make for gifts for various people. I like it a lot. I especially like the diagonal zipper and how it opens flat. I haven’t given them to enough people to have feedback.
Sewing with Cyndi
I didn’t feel like lugging my machine along, so Cyndi kindly let me use her machine. She has a Janome Skyline and I have to say that it was really nice to use for sewing. The bobbin loading was amazing. I might need to look into getting a new machine. That’s a story for another day.
As you can see, I moved in quite completely. My pattern and pieces are on the right and my go bag is on the left.
Sewing with Cyndi – spread to the right
I had done all the cutting and prep for my bag, so I worked on cutting out the Goldenrod book cover, which I decided to make at the last minute, while Cyndi finished her prep. I started a bit before and was able to get to the point in the pattern where I installed the main zipper. I wasn’t happy with it, though and stopped, because I needed to contemplate the zipper in the overall scheme of making the bag.
It was a great day and I enjoyed sewing with someone else very much.
