I wanted to make Hold Tite Folios for the other Sew Tites Showgirls. I knew when I bought the cork that I wanted to make them for the others. I didn’t get the task done in Portland, so I rushed to get them done the Sunday before I left for Houston for my second Sew Tites Showgirls Show of the year. It’s not that I have been putting it off; it just didn’t get done.
Showgirls Hold Tite Folios
Now it is done. I made these a little differently than the pattern says. I have made a few using the pattern and felt comfortable revising it a little. Mostly, I didn’t want to interfere with the design of the cork by using binding. I got around that when I made the Hold Tite Folios for Sue and Carrie by using the same fabric. That wasn’t going to work this time.
Showgirls Hold Tite Folio
I made a very small slip pocket, put the pieces of hardware inside and then, very carefully, sewed around the ‘slip pocket’ to close it up. After I was finished, I added the felt.
I am pleased with how they came out.
The pattern is free from the SewTites website. The hardware kit, which includes a copy of the pattern, is also available on the SewTites website. Not free, but reasonably priced. If you buy it at a show, it is possible that you can take advantage of a show special.
I found some Portland fabric at Rose City Quilts when I was in Portland last week. I decided to make pillowcases.
I bought 4 yards of the Portland fabric and a yard and a half of the cuff fabric. If I had bought 1.75 yards of the cuff fabric I could have made one more matching pillowcase. I have enough fabric to make one more pillow case, but not enough of the cuff fabric. I’ll find something in my fabric closet and make the last one with that.
I gave them out as party favors at the family dinner I hosted on my last night in Portland. Lil Sissy, the YM and my cousin-nephew all joined me. It was a good time. We discussed family business, but also caught up with each other.
I have been working on this EPP Ball on and off for a few weeks and was able to finish it last week. Honestly, I try to keep one of these on the go at all times. I love EPP, haven’t gotten back into the groove of La Passacaglia and always want a little hand work to do in the evenings.
EPP Ball #16 side 2
I use the 5 inch squares I cut from scraps for these balls – not exclusively, but when I want to make one I go digging in those containers first. I often find fabrics I love like the big purple dots above and the purple Chrysanthemum print, right. It is an older Philip Jacobs print and this might be the last bit of it.
I chose two pieces of that red-violet batik and used them as the center of the cup I make first before putting the two halves together. It means that the same fabrics will not touch each other.
EPP Ball #16 side 3
I also tried to keep the purples similar in value, but had to add another Philip Jacobs print. Despite the beige, I love his prints.
This ball came out really well. The purple fabrics really went together well.
EPP Ball #16 side 4
I tend to want to keep the ‘good’ fabrics for the perfect project. I am finding that projects are better when I use fabrics, all the fabrics, including the ‘good’ fabrics. The Tula hexie print above adds a smaller and more geometric print to the overall combination of fabrics.
I also used a last bit of Asbury Park ice cream cones and a Martha Negley carrot print. Both are favorites as well.
I added a label later by hand as I seem to forget to do it by machine.
This quilt is larger than the Warm Four Patch Fun. I do use a lot of cool colored fabrics, but it is still odd. I wasn’t counting, but I thought I had an equivalent number of fabrics.
Finished Cool Four Patch Fun – back
The back of this quilt has more novelty fabrics. I guess I was in that mood.
I finished the binding on the Warm Four Patch Fun. I really thought this quilt was larger, but it is relatively small. Kind of surprising since I use so much pink. Oh well, I hope it will be a good drag around quilt.
Finished Warm Four Patch Fun – back
The back is another melange of random fabric. I do try and keep to a theme if I can. This time it was peachy pinks.
I finished the Natalma over the weekend. The finishing felt very different. I felt really happy. Usually, I feel a bit let down. It might be with myself or it might be just a letdown because of finishing.
This time I felt happy. The bag is far from perfect, but it looks good and is very functional. Of course, the design is quite unique and that is all Sara of Sew Sweetness. I am pleased and think the recipient will find it useful.
I plan to install some pages** that can hold a collection of enamel pins. I never knew such pages existed! The YM has a collection of such pins he has been storing on a hat (hats??), which doesn’t sound super comfortable to wear either, and there is no more space. The Natalma is more than he needs, but the use immediately came to mind when I saw Sara’s group of new patterns. I wanted to put the pages I bought in right away, but one of them was broken, so that will have to wait.
Finished: Natalma – open flat
As I said before, I really want to make another one of these right away. I am struggling to think of how I could use it. If I went to an ongoing meeting where I had to refer back to previous notes, it would be great. It might also be good if I were taking a class. I am not doing either of those things at the moment, but I could be prepared, right? 😉
Finished: Natalma -left side detail
There are very few changes I would make to this bag.
There is a pocket on the front of this accordion section. I used the pink Freaky Familiars fabric. Next time I would make it with vinyl, so I could see inside of the pocket. That’s just me. I am kind of an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ kind of person.
Sewing and assembling the accordion section was awesome. It went together SOOO well and seems super useful.
Finished: Natalma -right side detail
I am still looking for mesh with smaller holes than the ByAnnie mesh. I like the idea of mesh pockets and I also like the way they go together in the assembly process. I also like how they show the items within. I do not like how all the smaller things get stuck in the holes. I haven’t found a good substitute for the mesh.
Finished Natalma Binder mechanism
Finished Natalma Binder mechanism – detail
The pattern calls for riveting the binder mechanism into the layers of foam and Peltex. I had trouble with the interim steps. I used a double cap rivet to keep the Peltex in place, as indicated in the pattern. With all of the handling, the top cap popped off, which messed up the alignment of the layers that were already sewn into a space I could no longer access. I would use a Chicago Screw in the future. I don’t like them as a permanent part of a bag, but for temporarily holding the Peltex in place, they would work great.
Finished Natalma Binder mechanism – detail
I am concerned about the size of the rivet I used, which was 12mm. It looks a little big to me, but Mary didn’t have any 10mm rivets in her kit. I ordered some and may change the 12mm for a 10mm. We’ll see.
I have made the Amethyst Project Bag and I am wondering if the basics – size, exterior construction – are similar? From the pictures in my post, it looks like it could be. I really like it when Sara uses similar construction techniques for new bags. I wouldn’t say you could make this, Natalma, bag if you already had the Amethyst Project Bag pattern, but I think the techniques for the exterior are probably similar.
Finished: Natalma – closed, top
The Natalma has a should strap, which means it also has D-rings/triangles on the side. I have seen some bags that place the D-rings/triangles on opposite sides, e.g. the top of the front panel and the back of the front panel. The Take a Stand Bag is structured this way.
Sara has placed the D-rings/triangles on the same side of the front panel. When I make another one, I may try it on opposite sides.
All in all, this was a good bag to make. I am eager to see if the recipient likes it. I am pleased with the usability of this latest group of Sew Sweetness bags.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses, as I did. However, if you are too busy, don’t have a local shop nearby or can’t find what you need, I use Amazon affiliate links. I 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 don’t link to items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
I used up the last of the Four Patch Fun blocks to make a donation quilt. I haven’t made as many donation quilts as I normally do, because of my other volunteer duties in the guild, so this one felt good to finish.
First, I finished a donation quilt after a few months of not making one.
Four Patch Fun Column donation- back
Second, I used up the last of the Four Patch Fun blocks in a way that I think is interesting. I ended up using white for the plain columns even though I tried to think of another color that would look good with the blocks.
The back is very simple. I am working through larger pieces of fabric that have been hanging around for awhile.
The Joni Tote, as mentioned, is a Sew Hungry Hippie pattern. It is a basic tote. The written instructions are super basic and then you have to go watch the video. If I had known this was mostly a video pattern, I would not have bought the paper pattern. I don’t like being forced to watch the video, especially if I can’t skip to the secotion with which I need help.
You also do not need the acrylic templates to make this tote as the pattern pieces are easily rotary cuttable. I am not trying to discourage you from buying from Sew Hungry Hippie (great content, great service, interesting designs). I was just disappointed at the price of the pattern vs. what I got.
Joni Tote #1
Still, the tote is a good size, it turns out as I should not be carrying much more than I can fit in it. I still plan to use my new Quilter’s Assistant Proportional Scale** to try the pattern in a larger size later. I want to see if it works.
I have to remember to cut the lining smaller as it turned out too saggy-baggy for me. I did partially anchor it to the exterior seams, so at least the lining won’t fly out.
Joni Tote #1 – interior
I like the fabric I used. I used what I had left of the grey Tula Poms. It makes the interior very cheerful. I didn’t have enough for the whole interior, but the stripes coordinate well, as they should.
The exterior is the Sewfisticated VibrantVue in Cherry Blossom. One of the things I like about it is that I can easily wipe off any dirt that gets on the bottom.
Honestly, I barely followed the directions for this bag. I used the cutting instructions. I lined everything, which is not part of the pattern. I added foam to the exterior pieces so the bag stands up, which is also not part of the pattern. I also did a self bordering sort of technique for the trim on the exterior pockets rather than making a binding.
I am sure Natalie made this bag faster, but I am happy with how mine turned out. Another UFO Challenge completed!
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses, as I did. However, if you are too busy, don’t have a local shop nearby or can’t find what you need, I use Amazon affiliate links. I 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 don’t link to items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
This quilt was made by members of the guild for Dennis Gene “Buck” Bandy, who served in Vietnam in the 42d Bomb Wing, Strategic Air Command (SAC) of the Air Force, 1966-1968 in appreciation of his service to his country.
This quilt was made in August-September 2026 by members of the Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild, SueS., Marty C., Laura M., Friend Julie, Lee Ann F., Melinda R., SueG., and Carrie P. I made the large block on the top left.
Carrie found a bolt of Pacific Blue at her other guild’s fabric sale, which was used for the back.
I made and sewed the label on. I prefer it to be quilted in, but there wasn’t enough time.
Quilt for Valor – back
The blocks were chosen to reflect his service in the Air Force: Flying Geese, Birds in the Air and various star blocks. People picked out the blocks they wanted to make and all of them were done by the September Sew Day where members of the team worked on putting the quilt together. Laura quilted it and Marty transported it back and forth.
It was a true team effort and I am incredibly grateful.
I decided it was time to make another Mini One Handle Tote. I am sort of feeling at loose ends, despite all the projects on which I could make progress. This is a fast project, which is very satisfying to make.
I am behind in my efforts to make 20 or so of these by my own timetable. I haven’t wanted to work on them because I couldn’t find the template last time.
Nobody is harassing me to get these finished, BTW.
Mini One Handle Tote #5
I went looking for my folder and have once again hidden it from myself. < insert eye roll emoji here >
WTH? Every time I go to make one I have lost the file. This is really unlike me. I was thinking that it was a good thing I wrote the tutorial, because otherwise I would have to figure out the whole process over again.
Mini One Handle Tote template
After making a new template and making this latest bag, I cleaned up my cutting table. In the process, I found the two other templates I have made.
Note the difference. The fat template is the first one that I made and the tote handle turned out slimmer. Not skinny, but slimmer. I couldn’t figure out why the handles were so fat in the two latest bags. Now I know. I had been thinking I would move the template more towards the middle to mitigate the fatness of the handle. Now I don’t need to, thought I might try it with the original template just to see the difference.
I got it in my mind that I used an index card to make the template, which is why the two templates on the left are mostly the same. I clearly didn’t use an index card for the original template.
In this version, I used Decor Bond, which I don’t think I will do again. I had a hard time pressing out the wrinkles. I’ll have to look back and see which interfacing I like best.
Now I have made a project file so the templates, at least, are stored in my normal manner.
I was inspired by the black and white ball and all the pink I have been using to make a pink and black version. Again, I selected charm squares from my boxes of 5 inch squares and started piecing.
I finished the Urban Sea Backpack. As mentioned, it is for my Mom. It isn’t perfect, but, in general I am pleased with how it came out.
As is usual, I want to start another one right away. I am slightly daunted by the amount of cutting, which may drive me to figure out the Scan ‘n Cut.
The more I look at this project, the happier I am. There are some parts I would like to do better, but I was pleased to look at them with curiosity and an eye towards figuring how how I could do better. I didn’t look at them with shame or the need to explain.
Urban Sea backpack – interior right side out
Before I turned the piece right side out to finish it, I took a photo of the interior.I wanted to get a better view than the one I usually get by photographing down into the bag. This view gives me a better view of the details of the interior.
I am super pleased with the interior. I think it is the fabric. Disco Poms is a GREAT fabric. I may need to get more. I am glad I used it as it is super cheerful.
Urban Sea – front pocket
The front pocket was a bit of a Hail Mary. I am not super fond of the ByAnnie mesh. It is fine and a high quality product. My stuff just gets stuck in the mesh. I really want to find a mesh that has smaller holes like some lingerie bags. I am thinking of buying a lingerie bag, disassembling it and trying the fabric in a bag. The colors are fairly limited, so, for the moment, I am either substituting vinyl like in the Everything But the Machine bag or sticking to mesh and hoping for the best. One good thing about mesh is that you can see what is in your pocket.
Urban Sea – back with straps
People in the Sew Sweetness FB group commented on the straps. I am not sure they are anything special. I did follow the directions and think I would like to add more padding in the future.
My new machine, especially the HP foot really helped me make this bag. I am a lot more relaxed making bags-few tense shoulders and only a little yanking with tweezers, which is better for my body overall. I am much less worried about whether my machine can handle what I want to make.
I finished this one about a month ago, but didn’t post about it, so here we are now.
I organized the colors on this one a little differently. Since the pieces are sewn together in two halves, I used black as the center of one half and white as the center of the other half. The photo shows the center that uses black. I am pretty pleased with that strategy.
Finished EPP Ball #14-side 2
I have wanted to make a black and white ball for awhile. I have a good supply of 5 inch squares so it wasn’t difficult to select 12 charm squares that would work.
This is a great project to work on in the evenings.
I had it in mind to make another Metro Double Zip as a gift. I did it, but I didn’t give the gift as I wasn’t happy with how it came out.
It is perfectly serviceable, but I wanted it to look good if I was going to give it as a gift.
Metro Double Zip Pouch #3 – back
I was in a little bit of a rush and did things a little differently than I did on the second Metro Double Zip. That was a mistake, but I didn’t write down the parts that I made larger on the second one. Thus, I didn’t remember I kept some parts the same, which was part of the problem with the first one.
I love the strap technique!!!
As you can see, the back is quite boring without the waves. I could have fussy cut something, but was at Tim’s and didn’t have a lot of fabric choices. I really want to get this pattern to be more stuck in my brain. I have to make a few more and think of some different embellishments for the front.
3 pouches ~ Metro Double Zip
While I was looking for something I found a similar pouch I received as a gift from BAM. I thought it might be an Aneela Hoey pattern, but I didn’t see it on her website or in her book. There are a million pouch patterns out there and it could be modified from a completely different pattern or made up.
I made another Hippie Specs case the correct way this time. My mistake on the previous one still makes a cool pouch. However, I still wanted to make it as intended.
I did not add a clip this time as I hadn’t quite worked through the steps when using vinyl.
I used the same flowery vinyl as I used on the previous one. Now my niece has three small items using this flowery vinyl. I guess it is her fabric.
Hippie Specs #4 – open
I didn’t use a lining for this one, but I did cover the seam at the bottom with foldover elastic. The cut out piece sat around for awhile, but it was very quick to make once I got started.
