Tag: Completed Project!

The Pandora Charisma is Finished

Pandora Charisma - front, finished
Pandora Charisma – front, finished

I am into sneak peeks lately! You got one the other day about this finished Pandora Charisma.

Yep!

Finished! Done! Complete!

I powered through a lot of the finishing steps, which were the hardest, on Friday so the bag could be done for the Month 1: UFO challenge reveal.

When I brought it to Sew Day, as mentioned, I wanted to add some additional rivets, but for all intents and purposes, it was done before I did that. I am pretty pleased with it, though I know there are things I could do better and want to do better. 

Pandora Charisma - back, finished
Pandora Charisma – back, finished

I am really pleased with the back. I think it looks awesome and I can’t really believe that I made it using all the weird substrates.

The zippers look good, but I wasn’t happy with the way the teeth were so high up from the zipper tape (the teeth were not flush or flush-ish with the tape). Also, there was something strange about the zipper tape. I am going to use a different brand when I make this bag again, maybe Wawak or ByAnnie continuous zippers next time. Using the continuous zipper was good for small zipper areas like the back zipper shown on the photo, right. The teeth were too high, but I had to secure the zipper with fabric, so the stitches looked ok. In general, though the high teeth kept me from making nice straight stitches. It was good that I had enough continuous zipper yardage to have the same zipper tape on all of the many zippers required for this bag.

There are a lot of pockets and places to hold stuff in this bag. The front pocket is like a regular purse area. the main area has a mesh pocket, which will keep things safe but handy and a slip pocket. The leash is very useful for keys, but also for attaching anything you don’t want to lose. That leash could be made of ribbon, tiny webbing or leather.

Pandora Charisma - tablet pocket, open
Pandora Charisma – tablet pocket, open

The back pocket has a small tablet sleeve, which is padded to keep your Kindle, iPad or other type of tablet safe. The pocket opens a lot more narrowly, so you have to use that side for items that can be slipped in and out.

The most challenging part of this bag can be seen in the photo, left, and that is the binding. The final step, which, seriously, almost made me give up, is putting the bag together then binding the edges. It is really hard to shove so many layers under the needle and get it to look ok. I did one side of some of the bindings by hand, which was a big effort, but looked a lot better than my first binding by machine. My binding effort is not stellar, but I was able to finish. 

I do want to make another. I plan to borrow my mom’s 1960s Emdeko machine, which is one of those all metal machines that can sew through anything. I also plan to go through the pattern while I have the bag at hand and decide which pockets I can sew in vinyl, which need more interfacing, etc, so I am more prepared next time. I also want to count up all the hardware I used so I have matching hardware when I make the next one.

I am really pleased that I finished it and plan to take some time to relax with some easy projects.

Finished: Triumphant

Trimphant - finished
Triumphant – finished

You got a sneak peek the other day that I had finished this quilt. I plan to enter it into the Fair, so I need to start working on a sleeve. I could have made it when I made the binding and prepared the quilt for longarming, but I didn’t think of it so here we are.

My quilt holder is my youngest nephew. He spends at least once a week with me doing yard work, though the day I took this picture his duties expanded to quilt holding. This was his first outing as quilt holder and he is as tall as the YM or DH, but you can see the quilt pretty well.

Triumphant back - finished
Triumphant back – finished

I used much of the leftover fabric for the back, which I really like.

Finished: Gelato #2

Gelato #2 - finished
Gelato #2 – finished

You got a sneak peek of Gelato #2  the other day. I showed that I had finished this quilt in the January 26 Projects list.

This was a great quilt to finish, because I’ll be really happy to see how the recipient likes it. 

I think I am calling this quilt Gelato, because of the style in which I pieced the first one, but more because of the name of the fabric I used for the first quilt.

Gelato #2 back
Gelato #2 back

The back is pretty wild, but I also like how cheerful it is. This is what happens when I pull out all of my backing fabrics and pull out ones I haven’t seen in awhile.

I’ll be sending it off to it’s new home soon.

Stella Pouches

Stella Pouch for Gerre
Stella Pouch for Gerre

One of the patterns I used to make holiday gifts was the Stella Pouch from Center Street Quilts. I have made a couple of these before. One was for a swap and one was my contribution to Laura’s gift basket. I got excited about this pattern when I saw the video with a half vinyl version. I also like the ability to see the fabulous prints used for the lining.

Stella Pouch for Carrie
Stella Pouch for Carrie

I made three of these for the holidays. There are no specific directions for using vinyl or adding a Flying Geese strip, as Katrina shows in the version linked above. It isn’t difficult to change substrates or add some Flying Geese, but I forgot the Flying in all three pouches! I’m annoyed because foundation paper piecing, in general, takes me forever and I worked hard at getting these strips done for these specific gifts. Oh well. I’ll make some more of these pouches and add the Flying Geese to them.

Stella Pouch for SueG
Stella Pouch for SueG

The other thing I did just to add a bit of flair was use some of my Renaissance Ribbon as the pull tab. I am not sure how practical it will be. I need to start using my ribbon and this was as good a start as any.

The one thing I need to do differently was the zipper end. It was very thick and hard to turn. I talked to Mary about it and probably need to trim more around the zipper. Another good reason to make more of these.

Finished: Chain Link

Chain Link front
Chain Link front

I finished the Chain Link just in time for Christmas. All I had to finish was the binding. It required hand stitching, which seemed to take forever. As DH was holding it up for the photo, he commented on how large it is. I guess that’s why the binding seemed to take forever.

Chain Link back
Chain Link back

I don’t mind. I like having some hand stitching to do in the evening.

I made the back as cheerful as I could after digging into my backing pile.

Another I Spy

Green I Spy for Tim
Green I Spy for Tim

I quickly made this pouch for Tim as a gift. I usually make him a gift, but for some reason I didn’t plan ahead for him. I will in 2026.

I rounded the corners of this version as it was easier to sew. I also used some great hand-dyed fabric that Sonja made for me a long time ago. It is precious so I save it for special projects.

Green I Spy for Tim-back
Green I Spy for Tim-back

Tim loves everything green and he uses the bags I give him, so I decided to use some of this precious fabric for him.

Clippy Pincushions

Clippy pincushion for Carrie
Clippy pincushion for Carrie

Sue has mentioned a few times that she loves my Clippy Pincushion.

I decided that it was time to make a couple for her and Carrie. I hesitated because the pins have to go into the pincushion almost horizontally in order not to get stuck when you grab the item. I have never figured out a way to prevent that. Of course, I haven’t lined the largest pieces with foam or something either. Maybe I’ll try that.

Clippy pincushion for Sue
Clippy pincushion for Sue

Even if you just use this pincushion for WonderClips**, it is super useful. I keep one in my travel Hildegarde Notions Trunk.

I originally found the pattern in a magazine. Since then I have seen it in the book, 50 Little Gifts: easy patchwork projects to give or swap**, compiled by Susanne Woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**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.

Hold Tite Folios

Hold Tite Folio for Sue
Hold Tite Folio for Sue

For a long time I have had the hardware for the Hold Tite Folios. I bought it to make one for myself and one for Friend Julie. She, however, beat me to it and I never made them. 

The pattern is free from Lillyella. You have to buy the hardware kits from her Etsy Shop, but they are currently unavailable. I don’t know if you could get the metal, two pieces 26 gauge galvanized sheet metal: 2”x 5.625”, cut at a hardware store or not. I was going to make more of them, but I won’t since the hardware kits aren’t available. Maybe I’ll ask if they can cut metal at the small hardware store in the City that I visit. I doubt Home Despot would do something like that. 

Hold Tite Folio (right)
Hold Tite Folio (right)

These are useful, because they can carry and contain Sew Tites. The picture is of my Hold Tite Folio since I didn’t take photos of the insides of the ones I made. 

The galvanized steel really holds the Sew Tites in place. 

I know it doesn’t always seem like it, but I am trying to use various supplies I have on hand. This was one reason I made the Hold Tite Folios. Another is that I like giving useful gifts. 

Hold Tite Folio for Carrie
Hold Tite Folio for Carrie

As you can see these match the other gifts I have made for Sue and Carrie. I like making sets.

Hemingways for Lil Sissy

Big Hemingway for Lil Sissy
Big Hemingway for Lil Sissy

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 like this pattern, especially the diagonal zipper. The Center Street Quilts videos I find on Instagram are also very appealing. 

Baby Hemingway for Lil Sissy
Baby Hemingway for Lil Sissy

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
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.  

Christmas Gift Post

I have been working since July on gifts for Christmas. Of course, many of them were made at the last moment AKA in December. Here are the projects:

More detailed information about the various gifts will be forthcoming.

EPP Ball #10

EPP Ball #10
EPP Ball #10

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.

Finished: Cosquilla

Beth's Cosquilla: 3/4s view
Beth’s Cosquilla: 3/4s view

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
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
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
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.

Officer Gifts

SueG's Multi-Pocket Organizer
SueG’s Multi-Pocket Organizer

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
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. 

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. 

Joelle's Multi-Pocket Organizer - front
Joelle’s Multi-Pocket Organizer – front

I made a special effort with Joelle’s to coordinate with some of the quilts I associate with her style.

It’s a very small effort at mimicking her style. I think it looks nice and my fancy math worked out. 

2025 Officers with gifts
2025 Officers with gifts

I didn’t get to see all of the packages opened, but I took a photo of the officers with the gifts.

Swap: Mega Pinnie

Green Mega Pinnie
Green Mega Pinnie

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
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
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
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
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.

Finished: Multi-Pocket Organizer #3

Multi-Pocket Organizer for me
Multi-Pocket Organizer for me

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
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
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: back with zipper pocket