Completed Project! – Page 7 – Artquiltmaker Blog

Bird Holland Pouch

Despite my objections to the zipper installation, I decided to make another Holland Pouch. While I was in Portland, I went to Modern Domestic and bought some fabric, then went back to my AirBnB and made the pouch. The second time it only took me about 4 hours from cutting to completion. I couldn’t make these for a living, but I was pleased with how fast I did it.

I have been buying a few Charlie Harper bird prints lately. I don’t know why as I don’t usually make projects out of novelty prints. I bought this particular print because Amanda loves animals. The print is sophisticated as well. Most of Charlie Harper prints have a bit of humor as well as some sophistication.

The inside of the bag is made from a Ruby Star scattered star print. The color doesn’t exactly go with the outside, but choices were limited at Modern Domestic. I think the variation looks nice.

I also couldn’t wash the fabric (AirBnB and all), but for a bag, just this once I was ok with it. I was concerned about the smell from ironing the fabric, but I didn’t smell anything and didn’t have any breakouts, so it was all ok. The Charley Harper fabric is organic, so maybe that makes a difference?

This pattern requires quilting the exterior, foam and lining fabrics together. Instead of quilting on each side of blue tape only, I put down a piece of blue tape, measured 3 inches to the right and put down another piece. I did that on both sides of the center piece of blue tape until I ran out of space. This means that my quilting isn’t as close together as in the Oxbow tote. It also took less time and I didn’t get as irritated.

The quilting went faster, but it means there is a 3 inch gap between some of the quilting lines. You can see that there is a dearth of quilting lines on the side towards the top, because of the 3 inch gap. I probably should have turned the fabric around, so there was more quilting on the top.

I also had a bit of trouble keeping the fabric taut, so the 3 inch spacing may not have been the best interval. Oh well. Live and learn.

This bag has a bit of an accent around the zipper, which I think looks nice in this bag.

This is a very quick bag to make and I am pleased with the outcome. I was more pleased that Amanda loved it. She really helped me during the visit and this was a small token of my gratitude.

Monsters Pillowcase

I am on the fence about whether this pillowcase encourages travel or not. I thought the fabric was entertaining, so I bought it and now it is off to be encouragement for the youngest nephew. Fingers crossed.

Friend Julie told me that most of these monsters are made up to give each National Park a monster (or legend?).

I found an article on a site I have never heard of called “6 Mythical Beasts and the National Parks They Call Home.” The article tells you what equipment you’ll need to stalk them.

There is also a calendar of National Park monsters.

Finished: Pink Project Cotton Candy

I finished one of the Cotton Candy pouches and was reinvigorated after I did a better job than I did with the Slimline version.

I didn’t have the right length zipper in pink, but I thought the orange went with the fabric. I also thought I should have fussy cut the side panels, but didn’t think of it until later. Still, I am happy with the way it turned out.

I used similar fabrics to the fabrics I used in the Pink Project v.1. I wondered if I should make a whole set using the same fabric. I might have enough of that Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy fabric to make a few more bags and pouches. It might bore me, though, to use the same fabric. I already have a different print chosen for the Chickadee. I don’t want to change that choice at the moment.

The inside is also a Flea Market Fancy print. I filled it with some self-care items and it was used to raise money for Phi Mu Foundation, which provides scholarships and disaster assistance to women. We made $80, which isn’t a lot, but the event was only attended by 9 people. I need to get some more self care items to fill up the next ones.

Finished: Blue Triangle Cotton Candy

No, this is not pink, but I am still making it part of the Pink Project, at least for the time being. I don’t want to make a new tag for every project I decide to start.

I was so excited by the triangles that I wanted to use this fabric. I think it is a Carrie Bloomston fabric, but I can’t remember where I bought. I am pretty sure it was a recent purchase.

As mentioned, I am doing a blue version as well as a pink version for two different groups to auction off.

Blue Triangle Cotton Candy - side — Blue Triangle Cotton Candy – side

I wanted to cement my technique for the Cotton Candy pouch after the mistakes I made with the Slimline Cotton Candy. This is one of the pouches that I made. I decided to make one each for the two projects.

Blue Triangles Cotton Candy pouch inside

While I did better this time on lining up the pieces, I didn’t do as well on the zipper. I am not sure why. It looks really wobbly. Most people won’t notice, but it bugs me.

I wasn’t able to anchor the the sides to seam allowance like I did with the Hildegarde. That might be a challenge for another day.

I did veer the zipper on one side of this bag, but not on the ‘top’.

I decided to fold over the zipper ends and place them where I wanted them rather than hoping for the best when I was veering the zipper. I think the ends look pretty good.

Next to work on is zipper installation.

Finished: Half Hexie Star Quilt

The Half Hexie Star is finally finished and off to its new home.

Someone said that I must really like the people to whom I gave the quilt. I do like them, but as I often say: there is always more fabric. I like the people and the quilt was a lot of work, but there is always more fabric. The point of the quilt was to have something to work on in the evenings when I was watching TV and visiting with my DH.

Now I am on to another EPP project and the Half Hexie Star quilt will be loved in a new place. As an added bonus, I have spread the joy of quilting to a new couple.

Drawstring Gift Bag

I made another lined Drawstring bag from the Jeni Baker In Color Order pattern as a gift bag for a friend. I was pleased to use the Anna Maria poppy fabric. Can you tell she loves pink?

This one is the Artist size, which is slightly larger than most of the drawstring bags I have made. The size I normally make is called the Project size. I just wanted to try something different this time.

The Artist size is one of the sizes that comes in the paid pattern. As a side note, Jeni Baker has an annual Lined Drawstring Bag Sew Along. It’s coming up in November 2024. It’s hard to find another great way to get familiar with the pattern.

I am still struggling with the ties and really need to figure that out. These look fine, but I always struggle.

I filled the bag with some self care supplies. She said she really liked everything. My friend’s mother died right before her birthday and this was a great way to let her know I was thinking about her.

Slimline Cotton Candy

I made this Cotton Candy pouch for a friend’s birthday.

It ended up being a ‘slimline’ version as I sewed the side panels to the wrong end of the main panel and had to trim extensively. It worked out and she liked it so no harm.

However, I need to get this right. I have made so many of these pouches that I am shocked and amazed that I made such a big mistake. I am going to make some others to cement the process in my head.

Hildegarde Notions Trunk Finished

This bag has taken a long time to finish. I am not sure why, because it came out really well and I really like it.

It is quite a large bag, for one with a handle. The finished size is 12.75 inches in length x 6 inch tall by 5.75 inches deep.

Hildegarde Finished - front (closed/exterior) — Hildegarde Finished – front (closed/exterior)

I am pretty pleased with my fussy cutting. The fabric I chose, a Heather Bailey print called Aflutter in pink. I find it very cheerful. It is from an old line, so I don’t know if you can find it again.

I worked really hard on lining up the birds on the top and in the front panel. I can’t remember doing that kind of fussy cutting before. Sara models fussy cutting on her sample in the pattern.

Hildegarde Finished - back (closed/exterior) — Hildegarde Finished – back (closed/exterior)

I think the little bit of top stitching on the back looks really good as well. I used pink for most of the topstitching, but there is also a bit of white as well.

I like the plethora of birds on the back.

Remember I said that I thought the dividers were unnecessarily complicated? They weren’t. They now seem super useful. I am glad I took the time to follow the directions and make them. I wonder if I could (should?) put another mesh pocket on the other side of the divider?

I don’t often use Velcro and this application went better than expected. I seem to remember sewing Velcro in the past and having it stick to the bed of the machine or the foot or something. I had no trouble sewing it this time, which was a relief. I think the design using the movable dividers, works very well.

I found a good place for my label, as well. It is not really hidden at all. I like the placement.

I also like how open this bag is. It is like an ‘open-wide/wide mouth bag. I am able to see everything inside.

Side note: when I went to get a label for this bag, I realized I only had two Wunderlabels left. Another thing for my To Do list.

Hildegarde Finished - front pocket - open — Hildegarde Finished – front pocket – open

I was pleased with the way the front pocket came out. I think the elastic technique worked out very well. I haven’t tried using it for thin tools, but I will. One thing I was thinking about the design is that the tools stored in this pocket would be available without opening the main zipper. I think that would be a good thing.

I plan to use this bag for notions to take to Sew Day and Retreats. I plan to place it inside the Crafty Carrier . I am not sure how I will use this large open space with the movable dividers. I need a lot more space for long thin tools like pencils, tweezers, etc. Rotary cutters will go well in the mesh pockets, I think.

Finished: EPP Ball #7

I ending up giving away one of the EPP balls I made to a surprise baby of a friend. I had some leeway with the great niece/nephew due in October, so I made another one very quickly.

This one doesn’t have any novelty fabrics, but is still fun.

EPP Ball #7 - other side — EPP Ball #7 – other side

Another Month, a New Pillowcase

This month I sent off one of the actual travel pillowcases. Last month was the camping pillowcase. I suppose you have to travel somewhere to camp, but it didn’t feel like ‘real’ travel to me, whatever that is.

This was also a birthday gift since the nephew turned 18 yesterday. I stuck a card in the package for him. I actually got a thank you text! Unnecessary, but much appreciated.

I had some extra fabric, so I added the trim pieces to some of the pillowcases for this project

Baby Jacobs Diagonal 9 Patch Finished

I finished this quilt at the beginning of last month, but forgot to post the finished quilt. August was busy!

One of my SILs brought it to the new baby when SIL traveled to the area where my niece and her husband live. I was glad not to have to mail it.

I am pleased with how it turned out and the juxtaposition of the same design in different colors. The first D9P was for this baby’s brother and is almost the opposite in color of this one.

Finished: Colorblocks #3

From the Fair report, you know that I finished this quilt. However, I never posted a final picture and information.

Here it is in all of its glory. I am really pleased with how it came out.

It is 24 x 24″

Machine pieced and machine quilted (by me!!)

It was made for a 2024 San Mateo County Fair guild challenge. It is the third in a series of ‘Colorblocks’ quilts.

EPP Ball #6 Finished

This EPP Ball #6 is also finished, though not due until October.

As I said in the previous post these go together very quickly. I was able to stuff a couple of them at the same time.

Someone suggested I made smaller ones and I was reminded of the juggling balls set I made for my niece.

JayeL on Cool Four Patch Fun QuiltedSunday, October 4, 2026
We missed you at Sew Day yesterday. Thanks for your kind words and for reading.
Eleanor Jackson on Cool Four Patch Fun QuiltedSaturday, October 3, 2026
FUN! Thanks for sharing.
JayeL on Various Piecing SundayWednesday, September 23, 2026
It is so great to share your love of quiltmaking with your neighbors!
Eleanor Jackson on Various Piecing SundayWednesday, September 23, 2026
WOW, Jaye.. It is wonderful that you are doing so much with leftovers. I have a new neighbor and they…
Sherri D on Another Remembrance of September 11Saturday, September 12, 2026
Thank you for sharing your works for 9/11. I still remember when you first finished them and showed them. Very…

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