Before Christmas, I went to Mary’s again and we worked on this bathrobe. It wasn’t a complete bathrobe Christmas, but two people got them. That is about all the garments I can manage even with Mary’s excellent assistance.
This is a different pattern than the Tarot bathrobe. It has a flat collar instead of a shawl collar.
I bought this fabric awhile ago, sort of by accident. I was trying to replenish my stock of the dark grey version of this fabric and ended up with the light grey background. I like it, but Mom has put the stop sign up for more bags. I didn’t want to start a whole new set with this fabric anyway. I decided a bathrobe would be good. It used up most of the fabric.
As you know, I often get stuck somewhere on garments and my confidence drains away. Mary has been great about helping me. This time I was able to rip out some seams for one of her projects and also cut out a Classmates Tote for her to sew later. It was a good exchange for me, at least.
YM & Mom in their bathrobes
I was able to take a photo of both bathrobes and their people.
I have a lot of tutorials available for FREE for you.
Click on the link indicated above. Note: if you click you get a longer list. If you hover you see a submenu of my favorite tutorials.
All of these tutorials are available for your perusal at your convenience. You can find them on the tutorials page. I, also, am not perfect, so I constantly update and rewrite them.
I have made a list of the tutorials here so you can easily take a look.
Facing: I started with Jeri Riggs directions and some help from Maureen over at Flies in the Cathedral. I have modified it a bit more to use strips double the size folded in half so I don’t have to stitch a hem.
Flowering Snowball (Cross Block)
Flowering Snowball blocks: these blocks have curves and inset seams. Fun, but not for the faint of heart. How to make the traditional pattern, Flowering Snowball. This block is #3081 in the numbering system of Barbara Brackman’s book.
Folded Corners Ruler: I taught myself the basics of using this ruler. Very helpful to avoid drawing diagonal lines for ‘flippy corners’.
Gift Bags: these bags are great to use instead of wrapping paper. You can see and admire your fabrics and use them year after year. Vary the fabric to make bags suitable for all occasions.
Half Square Triangles (Triangle Technique/ HSTs): tutorial and size chart on making 8 half square triangles (triangle squares) using the X method at one time.
Handles: this tutorial makes up very sturdy bag handles with flair. It shows you how to cover webbing with fabric to make straps that match your bag. It was written to supplement the handle section of the Noodlehead Cargo Duffle 2 pattern. You can, however, use it for different bags. Vary the length of the handles according to your needs. Some tutorials from other designers may help you find the right type of strap:
Journal Cover: how to make a journal cover. This builds off of the patterns over at Exuberant Color and All People Quilt.
Kelly’s Bag– make this after you have practiced some free motion quilting. Makes a great gift.
Lanyard Tutorial – includes a ring so that your nametag is near your face and people don’t have to look at your belly button to see your nametag. Includes hardware where you can clip things to the hook.
Orange Peel Circle
Orange Peel Circle tutorial: This is a tutorial using the Clammy ruler to insert an Orange Peel into a circle.
Paper Wreath (Origami Starburst) – step-by-step tutorial for making a paper wreath. Directions are the same for making the wreath from fabric with a few added supplies that I have noted.
Spiky Star block – guide for making one block using the Studio180 Split Recs ruler
Triangle Technique (Half Square triangles/ HSTs): tutorial and size chart on making 8 half square triangles (triangle squares) using the X method at one time.
Lil Sissy asked me outright for king sized pillowcases. Apparently, she has giant pillows and the cases I made for her are too small. Initially, I said no, then I found a big piece of turquoise and decided to make some.
These don’t feel as exciting as the other pillowcases I have made for her, but needs must. I have more of the Paris fabric now, so I can make her some more if I find another large piece of fabric to go with it.
My sister is constantly messaging me on IG and FB with cool pouches and great quiltmaking techniques. I finally told her to learn to quilt. LOL!
I do like giving her gifts as she uses them all – well, I have seen her with various pouches and I know she uses the apron and the pillowcases.
Use your gifts! There is always more fabric!
Calm quilt
Skull Jane Market Tote for Lil Sissy
Skull Wallet Open for Lil Sissy
Paris One Hour Baskets
Paris Pillowcases
Le Cafe Pillowcase 2018
Paris Hot Air Pillowcase
Paris Pastries Pillowcase
Paris Bicycles Pillowcase
Finished: Jelly Roll Rug
Lil Sissy Pencil Roll Closed
Lil Sissy’s Cafe Apron Repaired
French Cotton Candy pouch
Lil Sissy’s Inside Outside Pouch – 3/4s view
Falabella Pouches
Percheron Pouch (size large): Finished
Disco Double Zip Pouch – finished
Typewriter Hackney – Top & Front
Paris Enigma Bag (Kim)
Paris Atlas Zipper Case
3 king sized pillowcases
When I made the Enigma Bag for Lil Sissy’s birthday, I went looking for another ‘Revisiting’ post and couldn’t find one for her. I decided to write one after all the Christmas gifts have been distributed. I went through my older posts a few times and kept adding gifts I had made for her. I kept finding various things I had forgotten about. I was really glad to be reminded.
My mom is in the hospital and the post surgery process is not going as well as hoped. I haven’t had time to post or even look at the blog. I hope to be back up and running soon.
She made it as a test before she makes one with some of her precious fabric. One of her friends gave her the fabric and supplies for both backpacks.
Archie Backpack – interior
I love it when people make bags so I was thrilled to see this effort.
It looks like a really useful bag. I have the Marlin Backpack pattern from Sew Sweetness and it looks similar. I haven’t made it yet, so I am having a hard time answering a couple of Lindsay’s questions.
She said the seams are rolling and I am not quite sure if that is a function of the pattern, or the fact that it is a backpack or if it is the way the seams are finished.
Archie backpack – back, straps
From these angles, the bag looks really great. I hope I get to see it in person.
I had a tough time deciding what to make for Carrie and Sue for Christmas. I don’t want to just make them anything. I want what I make to be useful. Eventually, after considering several Minikins patterns I hadn’t tried, I decided on I Spy pouches.
Is this a cop out?
No.
Sue’s I Spy – back
As I have said before, these pouches are like eating potato chips for me. I can make one quickly. I also really enjoy making them. Because they are fast? Maybe. Mostly because they are useful.
Sue gets a color wheel on the back to help her pick out fabric. I also remembered to put a label on the pouch.
Some time ago I made Carrie and Sue Kit Supply Totes. The Hackney pouches I made for them fit nicely into the Kit Supply Totes. I thought the I Spy would fit nicely in it as well.
First, I had one entry into my post Y seams demo contest. SueG made an effort to try out Y Seams. She was the only one, so she won the fabulous prize, which was a small gift certificate to The Granary.
She chose a great pattern. I love the split hexies.
You should have seen the back! Those little seam intersections looked gorgeous. Check out my tutorial, if you want to try Y Seams for yourself.
Processed scraps
I made some good progress on cutting up scraps. I didn’t cut all of my scraps, sadly, but more of them are organized into shapes I can use. People were kind of amazed at what I was doing, which was weird. I thought everyone processed their scraps.
Christine’s needle folio
I also saw a project Christine made from a Sue Spargo pattern. I love Sue Spargo‘s patterns, but have never made anything. Her patterns look so cheerful.
I love the little vase and the striped binding. Really I love the whole thing. Looking at Christine’s version makes me see this as eminently doable.
Christine’s needle folio – inside
The inside is also great, but has the issue of not being able to see what is inside the pockets. Still, this is a gorgeous project.
I know it’s been a week or so since I posted about gifts, but we are back to it.
I posted last week about Sue’s I Spy pouch. One of the differences I made is that Carrie got a whole color wheel in the front while Sue’s was on the back. One of the reasons I like this fabric is because it means they always have a color wheel with them.
Carrie’s I Spy – back
I found some nice zipper pulls in my hardware bag that I added. They are apples, which have nothing to do with color wheels, Carrie or Sue, but here we are. Zipper pulls, aside from being cute really help to pull zippers open.
This is the latest travel pillowcase for my youngest nephew. I sent it off a little late as we were out of town for the New Year holiday.
I am still on the travel theme. This pillowcase depicts steampunk travel. I am a fan of steampunk and really enjoy looking at the costumes and artistry. I thought this would be a fun installment in the series.
The colors are not as fun as I would have liked, but at least there isn’t a lot of brown.
I have one more pillowcase from those I made from the fabric I bought on my summer trip before I have to get more fabric.
Sometimes I feel like I need to review how many of a certain pattern I have made. I think I have made enough Lined Drawstring Bags to do that now. I also feel like I’d like to see all of them together.
This is a good pattern that can also be used for gift bags. They take more time and fabric than my tutorial, but are more useful as well. I’d like to start making a bag for each quilt I give away, but I haven’t done that yet.
Juggling Balls drawstring bag-3/4 view
Drawstring Gift Bag
Drawstring Bag – Project size
Drawstring Bag – Artist size
Diagonal Nine Patch Storage Bag
Carrie’s Lined Drawstring Bag
Lined Drawstring Bag for Gerre
Sue’s Drawstring bag -end
Lined Drawstring Bag for Julie
2015 Bag for Michelle
2015 Bag for Peggy
I was certain I had made more, but I think I always think that!
I don’t have high hopes for the US political situation, but hope for the best and plan for the worst, right? I have very high hopes for quiltmaking and bagmaking however, which I hope will spread joy throughout my little sphere of influence. What are your plans for 2025?
Eight quilts and a table runner is nothing to sneeze at. I really wanted to make more and I can try again next year.
Finished (for me!) Donation Quilts
As you know, I don’t quilt (as in the stitching of the 3 layers together) much. I really enjoy the collaborative effort of making a top and allowing someone else to quilt and bind it. Thus, the quilts below are mostly tops, but I will include a finished quilt once someone else finishes it for the group.
WIPs are projects on which I am working. This means that I am past the cutting out of pieces stage, some sewing has taken place.
La Passacaglia – I am working on the border. I am slightly stalled, but will get back to it
Cut Out & Stopped
EPPic Bag – I need to make a cover/ main exterior piece for this bag. I was thinking of a Pineapple block, but haven’t gotten back to it yet. I am also kind of scared of this pattern. I know what to expect from Sew sweetness patterns, but this is a new designer to me.
Rose Petrillo bag – I found the pieces for this bag cut out, but not sewn.
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 UFOs. I have to give myself credit for completing some of them last year.
Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – not started, so maybe it isn’t a UFO? 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.
Handbag Sampler – I found the blocks! I found them in a bin I thought I had thoroughly searched! I also found the fabrics carefully stored together. Hooray!!
I went on to Instagram the other night and had an unexpected message from Free Spirit Fabrics. I won a prize! Yes, I checked to make sure it was the real Free Spirit and not some scam.
I don’t know what it is. Fabric, I am guessing. I’ll definitely let you know.
This excitement made me go and look at the Free Spirit website. There is a lot there. First, I checked what designers they represented beyond Kaffe, Tula, Philip Jacobs and Martha Negley. Jane Sassaman and Mary Engelbreit both work with Free Spirit. Mary Engelbreit has a new line of Christmas fabric and a Halloween line coming out. There is also a very strong projects section – lots of quilts, but also a few bags, an apron, a table topper and at least one pillow pattern.
Well, I am excited to see what is coming. Stay tuned!
