You are probably wondering why I am starting yet another quilt. I am kind of wondering that myself. I seem to be in starting mode.
Morning Flower Patch & Pencil Roll start
As mentioned a few days ago, I cut a lot of pieces for this quilt, which can be found in the book, Just Two Charm Pack Quilts* by Cheryl Brickey. I got it out of the library and used Hoopla, but if you have a lot of charm packs, you might be interested in buying it.
Cyndi turned me on to this pattern and she made a really nice version, which I know I photographed, but can’t find the photo. Stay tuned for more.
**N. B. : 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 website.
I think I might have had a little dip in my Sew-jo and didn’t really know what was going on. I had a great sewing session over the weekend and I think I bag to my normal enthusiasm and energy.
Vervain in progress
I really made good progress on the Vervain belt bag for my aunt. You might think this doesn’t look like much, but the sewn bits are the result of about 20 steps!
I was concerned about making a belt bag (fanny pack). I am not sure why, but it seemed harder than normal bags. I think I was just feeling down.
I have a few more steps to go – maybe another 15? I am excited about this project and how it is evolving. I’ll probably be done by next week. We’ll see.
Yes, so far May seems to be all about pillowcases!
After reminding myself of the Christmas pillowcase project on which I want to work, I finally made time to check my stock of Christmas fabric. Fortunately, I have 8 yards I can use, though I may need to find some cuff fabric. I’ll mix and match a bit, but I may not have enough.
2025 Pillowcase project fabrics
The fabrics I have are more subtle than I usually use for Christmas pillowcases. I want to use fabric I have, however, so these are the choices.
The mermaid fabric is the one girly fabric I have, so I’ll have to decide which of the two girls get it.
Next steps:
Wash the fabric
Cut pillowcase bodies
Decide on cuffs
Sew
Maybe I’ll have to think about Christmas pillowcases for the Angel family?
This is a pillowcase I made as a bonus when I found I had enough extra fabric to make one additional pillowcase. I also made it at the Retreat. I used the green Tilde fabric for the cuff as Jess’ favorite color was green.
I made it for my friend as an homage to her daughter, Jess, who died last year very suddenly in an accident. The daughter enjoyed fun and kindness and I thought a ‘Sweet Dreams’ pillow would be just the thing.
It’s a new month and I am sending my youngest nephew his new pillowcase. This time it is the Brown stitch adventure pillowcase.
I really like that brown stitch fabric. As I have mentioned before, I have it in several colors (or had it!) and have used it in Old Town and lots of other projects.
For brown, I have quite a large piece even after this pillowcase. I am not sure why I bought so much.
My nephew is always very kind and sends me a thank you text, often after 10pm. LOL.
I really am going to have to find some more fabrics and make his brother a few more pillowcases. I know I made him fewer and he is the one nephew that has said he really loves these pillowcases. Of course, I also have the Christmas pillowcase project I mentioned a few months ago.
I should have called this FINALLY Starting Chain Link. I didn’t like the way the pattern was written and that was a “launch blocker”, as we say at work. I finally sat down on the last day of the Retreat and figured out how to make this pattern work for me.
This project seems to be fraught with problems. Besides the challenges of the pattern, I cannot find the white fabric I chose to use.As you can see, I have already cut some up and sewed it into sections of blocks.
It MUST be around somewhere, but it wasn’t where I thought it was. I hope I didn’t use it for a donation quilt. We’ll have to see if this becomes a ‘design challenge.’
I finished the two Dogwood pouches at the Retreat. This is a worthwhile pattern as there are multiple sizes, but also a couple of new techniques to use in making your pouches.
Pouch F is the larger one and would be great for chargers and other small electronics. It went together very quickly.
The zipper instructions were a little tricky, but I watched the video (glad I brought my tablet to the Retreat!) and it was clear. I was actually kind of excited about the zipper instructions. They make a very cool finish to the zipper ends.
Finished: Dogwood Pouch-J
Pouch J is the smaller one. It would be good to corral small items in your handbag.
I found that the boxing of the corners was a different technique as well. I had to watch the video (Yay tablet, again!), which made the technique clear.
These are already off to their new home. I haven’t had a clear answer as to whether the Angel Mama likes her set of bags, but I feel good having made an effort to thank her somehow.
I started the Vervain at Sew Day the other day. The Vervain is a small belt bag (fanny pack). A front pocket on the outside and a lining zipper pocket on the inside lend storage space. The main compartment secures with the top zipper.
I am making this for my aunt, mostly because I have more iris fabric. She wants to use it to hold her cell phone on her daily walks I am happy to do it as she is my favorite aunt and I have wanted to make this bag.
Honestly, I almost cut out two of them. I restrained myself, though. I decided just to make the one and go from there.
Sew Sweetness has no templates for this one, which is a shame as the pieces are weirdly shaped. I used my scissors and that worked fine. I have a couple of pieces of foam I cut separately rather than on the fold. I’ll either stitch them together or cut a new piece on this fold this time.
These are some of the pillowcases I made at the Retreat.
Angel Family Pillowcases
I wasn’t planning on making them, but I was inspired by the chocolate fabric. I have been thinking of making the kids pillowcases and seeing the fabric at Family Threads was a little nudge. Knowing I had 2.5 days to get them done made the weekend a good opportunity. I don’t need another small project hanging around.
I chose some of the V&Co Galaxy fabrics for the cuffs. I wanted the pillowcases to be mostly equal so the kids wouldn’t fight. I like to call the chocolate pillowcases “Sweet Dreams.”
I used different bodies for the older kids. One of them really likes soccer and the other is really grownup, so I wanted to make him a pillowcase that was a little more sophisticated. The older boys got the same cuffs in different colors.
I wasn’t able to wash the fabric and I was pleased that I didn’t have any kind of reaction to ironing the unwashed fabric. I am giving them some Color Catchers** and strict instructions to wash them in hot water with the Color Catchers so they don’t bleed on their other laundry.
**N. B. : 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 website.
I sent another pillowcase off the other day. Well, really, DH did it for me. I was rushed off my feet last week and he had Friday off, so I asked him to do it for me while I left for the retreat.
The nephew should have this one by now.
I didn’t know what to call the main fabric, thus the Shark’s teeth moniker.
The other day I mentioned Lee Ann’s Classmate Tote. I wanted to share SueG’s bag with you. It is the other one I made.
As you can see, I made it from the same fabric (Carrie Bloomston) with which I have been making her other gifts. I really hope she likes it as I still have enough to make some other gifts. This does mean that she and Carrie have a couple of bags that are different from each other. I have tried to make them the same bags, but Carrie is not on the board, so she didn’t get one of these. Christmas? We’ll see.
SueG’s Classmate Tote – exterior
One of the things *I* like about this fabric is the color wheels. I know I have mentioned it before. It is very handy to have a color wheel with you. I didn’t manage to get one of them on the front, but I was able to get one on the back – a whole color wheel. I am thrilled.
This is a very active print, so I wanted the accent fabric to work with the activity. I chose the black and white stripes. They do add a lot of movement, but I don’t think they compete with the Carrie Bloomston fabric.
It is great to use a whole piece of fabric for the exterior, but I wonder, given the design, if I could add another slip pocket on the outside? Considering how the bag closes, it might not work, or I would have to have a pocket that closes. Something to think about.
SueG’s Classmate Tote – interior
As with Lee Ann’s the inside is very useful. I, again, chose the white version of the Carrie Bloomston fabric and was able to fit most of 3 color wheels inside. It is a bit over the top and I probably should have chosen a less active print. Still, it would be useful for a travel kit.
I showed photos to someone who said it looked like a jewelry organizer.
SueG’s Classmate Tote – pen holder
One thing I did differently from the pattern is use some double fold elastic for the pens and pen-like tools holder. The pattern calls for making a pocket (see example) using fabric folded and sewn. I didn’t like the thickness and I thought something like a simple strip would be more useful. The blue strip replaces the pocket. As you can see, I varied the size between the stitch lines so even a small rotary cutter could fit. I triple stitched so it would be tight and wouldn’t pull off with heavy use. Fingers crossed it works.
SueG’s Classmate Tote – half open
The closure is a part of the pattern I am not 100% happy with. I thought about what I could use to replace it, but didn’t think of anything, so I went with the directions in the pattern. I don’t know if I’ll make this again, but I’ll have to think about a different closure if I do.
I did fussy cut a bit to get the color wheel, as mentioned above, but also make sure something interesting was on the bottom so it looked good like I have shown in the photo above.
2024 BAM Officers
Carrie did a great job wrapping, as usual. She is amazingly gifted at wrapping. I am always so impressed with what she comes up with.
The Chrysanthemum print by Philip Jacobs is one that Cyndi gave me after she visited an estate sale where she found fabulous fabric on offer. This is a colorway I don’t often buy. As I said the other day, I wasn’t sure whether Lee Ann would like it, but these colors spoke to me when I thought of her. I’ll have to see about finding some more of this fabric for her next bag so she has a matching set.
Lee Ann’s Classmate tote – exterior
The outside is one continuous piece and I think the fabric is shown very well.
As you know, these colors are a little difficult for me to work with. Not as difficult as brown, but still hard. I am glad this is a Phillip Jacobs fabric as it has rich layers of color. It also makes me think of Fall, autumn colors and Thanksgiving.
Since I don’t have a lot of these autumn colors, or don’t think about combining them, I was also pleased that the yellow I chose for the folds and the binding. The color fit with the Phillip Jacobs print very well.
Lee Ann’s Classmate tote – in/exterior
For the inside, I used a poppy print I bought in Sacramento in 2017, and also some Tula as I didn’t have enough of either.
Normally, I would have used the same yellow for the folds on the inside, but, again, I didn’t have enough fabric. There is a little bit of “making it all work” going on.
Lee Ann’s Classmate tote -interior
I have plenty of zippers, but I didn’t have all the same colored zippers, so I chose a couple of different hues in the orange/sunshine yellow range.
There are 5 pockets you can see in the picture. Under two of the pockets, slip pockets provide additional flat storage. I think a 6 inch ruler might fit in the middle area.
2024 BAM Officers
Carrie did a great job wrapping, as usual. She is amazingly gifted at wrapping. I am always so impressed with what she comes up with.
It’s officer gift time for the guild again. Since I organize the gifts, I get to decide what bag we will make. The Classmate Tote** is the bag of the year for the officers.
This is a small project bag the officers can use for a small flat project, like English Paper Piecing, or that they can use for tools and supplies. I wanted to make this pattern again after making one for Gerre and one for Lindsay. I also thought it wasn’t too big, but had a useful design.
I initially started writing this post back in December after I spent some time one day cutting for both bags. I know several officers read this blog, so I decided not write about the process as I didn’t want their surprise to be spoiled.
We gave them the bags yesterday. We delayed the thank you gifts until all of the officers were at the meeting.
Lee Ann’s Classmate tote
Mary C and I made two bags each for the officers. I’ll have to recruit more people next year as I struggled to get mine done.
I wasn’t sure what fabric to use for Lee Ann’s bag. I wasn’t originally scheduled to make it, but picked it up when another member couldn’t do it. This Philip Jacobs fabric spoke to me and I really hope she liked it.
Sue’s Classmate tote
For Sue, I used the fabric I have been using for bags for her and Carrie for the past year or two.
I am pleased with how they both came out.
Mary, as usual, did a great job on her bags.
MaryC’s Classmate for Melinda
MaryC’s Classmate for SueS
**N. B. : 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.
I was very pleased to make this Emmaline Retreat Pouch for Carrie for her birthday.
I decided to make one when I ran out of time to make her a Classmate Bag. The other thing that helped me decide was the several Retreat Bag frames I have stashed in Quilts Illustrated Tool Tote, where I keep my bagmaking hardware.
Retreat Bag for Carrie – top
I used the Color Theory fabric by Carrie Bloomston, which is the fabric I have been using for her gifts.I have some random pieces that are cut from yardage, but still good sized that I was able to use.
Retreat Bag for Carrie – side, frame detail
The whole project went really quickly. I made the whole pouch in about 3 hours while I cooked dinner during part of the making. I did finish the pouch later in the evening. It requires a frame so I had to prepare and insert the frame, then sew up the hole.
Retreat Bag for Carrie – interior
The frame means that this is an Open Wide or Wide Mouth style pouch. It is great for seeing everything you have stashed in the bag.
Carrie’s Retreat pouch – veer zipper
Carrie’s Retreat pouch – veer zipper
I am super pleased with the technique they use to veer the zipper. It made that process SO easy and it looks great. I have to remember it and try to use is on other bags. The only other pouch I can think of offhand that veers a zipper is the Cotton Candy pouch and that is a different sort of technique.
I thought it would take me longer, but am glad I was able to get it done quickly. Her birthday was a week after I made it and I had to fill and mail it as well. Carrie is super generous and I could never match her generosity, but I can make pouches and bags.
This is a free pattern, so go and take a look. Make one and tell me what you think.
