I decided to make a Hemingway pouch for my sister for Christmas. Partly this was to provide a laptop/tablet cover for her and partly because this is a quick project and I hadn’t started a more complicated bag in time to get it done before Christmas.
I made this pattern once before. I ended up with a section of vinyl and half a zipper. This time I decided to take MaryC’s advice and make a small pouch to go with the larger one. Mary uses hers for WonderClips, but Lil Sissy can use her for small cosmetics or dog treats.
I am pretty pleased with how it came out, though the print looks a little sideways. I also meant to add a handle, but forgot in the process of getting it done.
Baby Hemingway – 1st iteration
The first iteration of the small Hemingway had the binding on the outside. My machine binding still needs work. I didn’t like the way it looked so I cut off the binding, bound it on the inside and made it a little smaller.
It isn’t really a Christmas gift, but I made it and gave it to my niece around the holidays, so I am putting it on this list. It makes the list look more impressive. 😉
Stella Pouches
Carrie
Gerre
SueG
More detailed information about the various gifts will be forthcoming.
I made another EPP Ball, which I will give to my exercise teacher. These are super fun to make. I love having a hand project and babies and toddlers really like them.
I also like using the 5 inch squares I cut from scraps. I have a ready supply so I always have a lot of different fabrics from which to choose.
These are a little hard to photograph. It is hard to get all the different sides. The photos below give you a good idea of how it looks.
I finished the Cosquilla pretty quickly, considering I only started it a few days ago. In general, this pattern has only a few pieces, so is easy to cut out. The instructions are excellent and there was only one confusing part where I needed to watch the video to complete.
I was able to use one ByAnnie 30 inch double pull handbag zipper for both of the zippers needed in the project. The yellow of the zipper doesn’t go exactly with the fabric I chose, but I think it looks good. There are not as many zipper colors as fabric colors.
Beth’s Cosquilla: interior
This is the first time I have used the same fabric for both the exterior and interior. I don’t know why I never thought of it before (DUH!), but I think it worked really well. There wasn’t a lot of exterior and there were some focus type motifs that I fussy cut in order to make the parts interesting. I still wanted the whole pouch to read as yellow, so I kept that in mind.
Beth’s Cosquilla: zipper side
This pouch, as you can see, has a lot of vinyl. I recently replenished by supply of vinyl. Mostly I like the glitter vinyl, but this time I also bought some vinyl with stars printed on it. I like the glitter vinyl, because it doesn’t interfere with the pattern on the fabric. In this case, I used the star vinyl and I think it allows the fabric motifs to shine as well. The other thing I like about these two vinyl patterns is I can use every inch. I don’t have to worry about the motifs on the vinyl being in the wrong direction when the bag is finished.
Beth’s Cosquilla: side
The pattern had a really interesting piece for the bottom and the sides. It was a long oval piece that had to be quilted before cutting it out. There are fewer seams when one piece makes up the sides and bottom.
I really don’t know how Sara thinks of these bag designs, but I am constantly impressed. Having the sides wrap around the bottom/sides piece was really clever. I like the way it went together.
Sewing it together was no picnic, but it wasn’t as difficult as the Pearce Sling I made for Mom. They share that curved shape, but this pouch is much bigger and that curve was easier, though not easy to navigate.
Anyway, I got SIL#4 a couple of gifts off her list, but also made her this as a bonus. I like to receive things I want, so I always make sure I buy someone something off their list even if I make them something.
I spent the last few months planning and creating the officer gifts for the guild. I couldn’t have done it on my own. Many guild members contributed to the fund, Carrie wrapped everything and MaryC helped me sew the Multi-Pocket Organizers.
SueS’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
I am pleased with how they all came out. I think the fabrics I chose worked well together and coordinate or match with last year’s gifts.
I really like the binding and lining of SueS’ Multi-Pocket Organizer.
Melinda’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
Lee Ann’s Multi-Pocket Organizer
For Lee Ann’s I chose a similar fabric to the fabric I used last year. This one has a little more color in it – some purples, especially, which look really nice.
Melinda’s uses a couple of coordinating, but older fabrics from my fabric closet. I am told she likes purple, so this on the purple side. It’s maybe more of a red-violet, but something she will like.
The guild had our holiday party yesterday. At the party/ Sew Day, we had a potluck, a short meeting where the new officers were installed and a swap.
The instructions for the swap was something 3D and useful. I decided to make another Mega Pinnie. I have made several and they are fun to make and to give. I looked it up and found that I made one for another swap back in 2019. I had forgotten about that!
Green Mega Pinnie
I looked at the several posts I have written about Mega Pinnies and was interested to see the one to which I originally linked on Instagram. I still like the look of it (Camille Roskelly fabrics?). The hashtag still works and links to a few different examples including the original from Today’s Quilter issue 6.
Green Mega Pinnie – bottom
I used fat quarters from a couple of FQ packs I bought from Stash Fabrics, Color Play Tropical Tide Fat Quarter Bundle and Art Gallery Elements Seasons Fat Quarter Bundle for most of this version. I think I used a green from Summer Friday for the bottom as well.
Green Mega Pinnie – needle holder
The needle holder turned out to be the right size, but the ribbon is a bit too long. Oh well. The person will have to tie it up or not care.
I also realized at the last minute that I needed to photo copy some tools and put the copies in the pockets so people knew there was storage.
The pocket under the needle holder is pretty close to the top of the Mega Pinnie. I think I will try to remember not to make it so tall. I think the pockets are better if they are closer to the middle of the MP, though I also think it is better to vary the height just so that they don’t make the seams too thick.
Green Mega Pinnie – top
I am not sure if I mentioned it in another post, but the top has a handle to make it easier to carry.
I chose a button I had been hoarding that matches the colors of the fabric perfectly.
The ribbon holding the Mini Pinnie does not match as perfectly, but I think it coordinates.
I hope the person who chose it finds it useful. It was one of the last items to be chosen, so I don’t think people could see the usefulness or possibilities.
I finished another Multi-Pocket Organizer for me. I gave the previous one away. LOL! I might end up giving this one away as well. 😉
Again, I carefully picked out fabrics that I would like. I cut the bag out before I left for Portland, so this was a good project on which to work while I was there. I worked on it after I finished Gelato #2.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: interior
The goal was to make this for my handbag to get the mess on one side of the divider pocket organized. I tried out the first one I made and it fit pretty well. The mistake I made on this one was to put fusible fleece on the back of that front pocket and on the Multi-Pocket Organizer’s divider pocket. This makes the Multi-Pocket Organizer much thicker, so it doesn’t fit as well into my handbag.
I am really happy with the way it turned out, so I am still thinking about what to do.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: back with zipper pocket
I went to SueS’ house last week for an Oxbow work day and finally finished this bag! It wasn’t as terrible a monster as my mind had made it into. I am pleased with the results.
Finished: Oxbow Tote – interior
A bunch of us got together to provide support for each other in getting this bag done. SueS was kind enough to host us as her house and that event got me over whatever the hump was that I was fighting. It was really good to be able to ask questions and get clarification. I found a part or two to be confusing and Lynette was a great help. SueS also had her finished Oxbow available so we could look at it and that was also great.
I don’t know why the project became a terrible monster in my head. It wasn’t SueS. It wasn’t the pattern designer, especially since I have made a few Poolside totes in the past. It wasn’t the fact that it was a bag. I think I just got stuck and made it into a monster. I don’t know.
It turned out to have a lot of steps, but nothing I couldn’t handle. There wasn’t anything I hadn’t done before and I was even able to help some of the others.
Oxbow: pleather bottom (reverse)
One of the things I did differently was put some pleather on the bottom of this bag. I don’t remember why I decided to do it, though I am always thinking about keeping bag bottoms clean. I also had the pleather on hand. The construction made it easier because the bottom was a separate piece. In the picture, you can see me adding the bottom to the exterior panels.
Anyway, it turned out really well. I am pleased and am thinking I might make the pattern again.
I bought this fabric at Pioneer Quilts, I think. It is a Tim Holtz canvas. I like the color block pattern even though it has a lot of brown.
Chubby Charmer 2025 – interior and exterior
Almost as soon as I arrived home, I dug out the Chubby Charmer pattern and got to work. I have made several of these. I think I bought the pattern and made the first one in 2009, which is still in good shape and serving as a collection point for interfacing. I felt like it was time for a new one. The pattern calls for a charm pack, but I wanted to just use one fabric, so I had to do some math. This is a pretty basic pattern, so I didn’t worry too much about exact numbers. Since I wasn’t sewing 50 charms together, the bag went together very quickly.
Chubby Charmer 2025 – full interior
I used a fun and favorite Philip Jacobs fabric for the interior. It is a little busy, but also light colored, so I should be able to find things ok.
I put only basic pockets inside as I was lazy and didn’t want to spend a lot of time on the bag.
Chubby Charmer 2025 – interior
I did add a leash so I may make a zipper bag to clip to the inside. We’ll see. I can also clip keys or whatever to it.
While I was working on this bag, I realized that my stitch quality isn’t good on my main machine. I need to figure out the problem. I am annoyed, because it was just serviced a few months ago.
I definitely need to think about less white in the Half 16 Patch blocks. This quilt is VERY white and you don’t really get the sidewalk effect with so much white.
I have been working on some green and blue Sidewalk blocks with white and I may use a different color for the background.
Sidewalk #4 back
I was very surprised at how well this back went together. I didn’t worry about eeking every little inch out of the fabric. I got enough pieces out and cut there where I needed to. It means I have more scraps to cut up as well as a finished back.
The stripes in this piece are really striking. The rainbow stripes from Chain Link make this piece less depressing than it might be if I had excluded them.
I am pleased that I finally finished this piece. It has been on the design wall for more than a year and it is a relief to get it to the Community Quilt team.
I am pleased with the way it came out. Most of these improv quilts are hard to pass along.
I quickly completed Cosmic Crazy over the weekend so it would be ready when I went to Sew Day. I didn’t know how much time I would have to sew after my mom’s surgery.
I didn’t have the kind of gold fabric I was imagining, so I used this yellow with red dots. I hope that it isn’t too ugly.
Cosmic Crazy Back
I used some greens as the back and am calling this one done. Not a great work, but someone will like it. At least that is what I am telling myself.
I finished the Multi-Pocket Organizer over the weekend. It is already off to its new home. I am kind of sad, because I would have liked to look at it a little longer, but birthdays are on a certain day and I wanted my friend to have it on or before the day.
I am super pleased with how this project came out, the directions and everything.
Multi-Pocket Organizer zipper pocket
I think it was a great a great project to work on when I needed a break from the Pearce. The pattern is very straightforward and easy to follow. The skills required are somewhere between beginner and intermediate. I had never added an elastic pocket, so that was fun for me. The hardest part was the interior zipper pocket and they aren’t hard, really, just fiddly. If you have done one they are relatively straightforward. If you haven’t done one, then the directions in the pattern are great!
Multi-Pocket Organizer front
I don’t use fusible fleece** much for bags, but it works really well in this pattern. I didn’t quilt the pieces, which should come as no surprise, but quilted fabric would work in this pattern.
I might try foam one time if I make one in the future.
I am not sure I chose well when I picked that floral as it doesn’t go well with the neon pink stripe. Still I like both fabrics. For the next one, I might choose a solid for the fabric under the pocket and use the pocket fabric for the back as well. The pocket covers up so much of the exterior, as is often the case with a front pocket, that I like to use a fabulous fabric for the front pocket.
Multi-Pocket Organizer in my handbag
Half of my handbag is a mess! You know: lipgloss and a mask and two granola bars, a pad of paper, etc, etc. It needs an organizer. Before I sent off this bag, I tried it out in my handbag. It’s a bit of a squeeze and might not work when full, but maybe worth a try. I can always use it in my Kit Supply Tote, if it doesn’t end up working in my handbag. Perhaps I should see if I still have some of that Butterfly fabric. It might make a good pouch regardless of where I use it.
I really like this pattern and will probably make one for myself. It might be a good addition to Mom’s Sewing Date Traveler, which worked REALLY well in the hospital. I am definitely not done with this pattern yet.
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Today is surgery day for my mom and the Sewing Date Traveler is ready for duty.
For my purposes, this will be used to organize Mom’s stuff in the hospital room. There are a lot of little things in life that get strewn around and need to be moved for meals and doctor visits. This bag will provide the organization.
The bag has 5 pockets, but a couple of them are subdivided to keep items organized. One of the pockets is a zippered pocket, which provides the only security in the bag. Otherwise the bag is completely open.
I think it would be possible and useful to make the inside pockets, at least, from vinyl. It will mean that people can see what’s inside. The pockets are deep, too, so a phone inserted will be three quarters in the pocket.
Sewing Date Traveler top view
The bag is large enough to keep a water bottle, a book, glasses, phone, hand lotion and a myriad of other items.
The pocket on the inside is one of the 5 mentioned above. It is divided in half so the sections are larger. A phone will fit inside.
The pattern says to do some stitching across the center seam near the top of the bag to anchor the lining. This was not enough for me. I didn’t want the lining getting caught on something and flipping out of the bag. My practice of anchoring linings to exteriors with Lynette the other week (month?) and a note in a Sew Sweetness pattern helped me figure out how to anchor this lining. As I was turning the project inside out, I realized that I could anchor the center bottom exterior seam with the center pocket seam. With a lot of jostling and bag wrangling, I was able to do it.
That didn’t solve all of my problems. I couldn’t figure out how to anchor the lining to the exterior using the boxing corners method that Lynette and I discussed. Not because I forgot how to do it, but because of that center pocket and because the whole bag was so stiff. I still needed more anchoring, because the corners were not anchored to anything. I ended up setting a few hand stitches in in the corners to keep the lining in the corners. If I were to make this again, I would do something different. I don’t know what, but something.
Sewing Date Traveler front
The exterior has more pockets. I divided the front pocket (photo, left) into 3 sections with the right section being largest. The smaller sections can be used for pens.
I like the trick of ‘self trimming’ for pockets. In this case, the trim is also the inside of the pocket. I wouldn’t do it again for this bag, or I would use a solid or tone-on-tone fabric. The art supplies fabric is lost in that small trim area.
I’ll let you know how Mom likes it and if it is useful. I am pleased I was able to finish it.
Today’s is Lil Sissy’s birthday and I was able to finish her Zeppelin pouch and send it off.
I am really pleased that I was able to fussy cut the fabric so that main Paris motif is, essentially, centered.
This was a very easy pouch to make, if a little fiddly.I know I talked about the shape of the pieces the other day. The construction was genius! I am constantly amazed at what Sara comes up with. I don’t know how she figures out these bag patterns.
Zeppelin end
The one part that was a little confusing was the ends, where the zipper tabs and sides come together. I had to watch the video and that made it clear. You have to know what to do, then it works out.
The photo shows mostly the handle, but if you look behind the handle at the zipper, you can see the zipper tab, which is longer than normal sewn in. Super clever. It also reminds me of what I was trying to do the other day with the zipper tab technique.
Zeppelin back
I also remember to put on my label! It is pretty prominent, because I remember after I had already assembled the pouch. I think it is ok to have it be a little prominent for once.
The fabric I used is such great fabric! I was so pleased that I found more of it. I love all the different motifs.
Zeppelin lining anchored
I was also able to anchor the lining to the exterior even though there was no way to box the corners. I took a look at the Hackney pattern, which shows one method and kind of followed those directions.
