Tag: Gifts

Chickadee Not Superbloom

One of the points of the Pink Project is to provide me with a way to test out bag patterns I haven’t made before. A week or so ago, I talked about making some Superbloom totes. I do want to make more Superbloom totes, but I don’t want to miss the chance to test out a larger bag pattern. I decided to make a Chickadee backpack as the main large bag for the Pink Project v2 instead of a Superbloom tote. I’ll make a Superbloom for the other group and also one with the Hindsight fabric.

I didn’t make a large bag for the Pink Project v.1. I used a bag that I received at the last Convention I attended.

The Chickadee backpack is another Sew Sweetness pattern. It came out last year. There is a lot of cutting and I haven’t felt like I had the brainspace or the time to make one. I wanted to, but I also wanted to make some changes:

    • crossbody strap instead of backpack straps
    • d-rings so the top handles fold down out of the way
    • more pockets

I know that it is better to, first, make it as the pattern indicates, thus I thought making it for the Pink Project would be a great idea.

Thinking about the Classmate Again

Classmate Bag for Lindsay - BAM Swap
Classmate Bag for Lindsay – BAM Swap

I am starting to think more about gifts, not just the Pink Project, but upcoming birthday and holiday gifts. The Classmate Tote** by Atkinson Designs has been on my mind for some reason. Perhaps I need to make one for myself!

 

 

Gerre's Classmates Tote- open
Gerre’s Classmates Tote- open

I like making useful bags. As you know I have made two of them before, one as a swap gift and one for Gerre. I like the idea of this bag and I think it is useful. 

There are a couple of things I need to remember, if I decide to make one of these again. The pen holder is too small for *my* pens, so I need to make sure to measure my pens.

Gerre's Classmates Tote
Gerre’s Classmates Tote

The other thing is to make sure the binding goes with the the interior and exterior. I have to admit that I really like getting to the sewing part. That means I sometimes take shortcuts in choosing fabrics. It is so stupid, because I love shopping for fabrics and I enjoy the fabulous motifs of different fabrics. So, the reminder is to make sure all the fabrics go together.

 

 

 

 

 

**Obviously, you should shop at local fabric, knitting shops or quilt shops. However, if you can’t, please know that I use 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 do not recommend items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Superbloom Project Ideas

I want to use some of the fabric I bought on my vacation for Superbloom totes. I was really pleased with how the first one came out. I have had plans for another one using the Anna Maria Honorable Mention fabric, but I haven’t gotten around to making it yet. Now I have at least two more I want to make. Good thing I bought the templates.

Superbloom for Auntie
Superbloom for Auntie

The first one I plan to make will use these fabrics. The far left black and purple linen/canvas is from Bolt. I bought the iris print at Stitch in Ferndale. It is a good choice for my aunt who loves irises. I am not a huge fan of the background color of this iris print, but I didn’t see any others. In general, I know that there is a colorway with a black background, but that won’t work for the lining of a bag.

Superbloom for SMCAP
Superbloom for SMCAP

Next, I plan to start another project like the Pink Project, but for a different organization. This time I will use blue fabrics as a base. The fabric shown will provide good scope for fussy cutting.

The Superbloom tote will be the bag in which all of the other pouches are carried. I don’t know which other pouches I will make yet. I have to make this one first since it will be a great donation even if I don’t make anything else.

Superbloom fabric for the Pink Project v.2
Superbloom fabric for the Pink Project v.2

Finally, I will also use this pattern for the Pink Project v.2, I think. It is possible that I will try a different pattern, but for now I am planning on making yet another Superbloom.

I am waffling, because I could use this fabric to try out the Chickadee Backpack or the Cavalcade Travel Bag or any number of other tote bags that I have purchased. We’ll just have to see how I feel.

 

EPP Ball #6 Finished

EPP Ball #6
EPP Ball #6

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.

EPP Ball #6
EPP Ball #6

New Month New Pillowcase

Camping Pillowcase
Camping Pillowcase

So, the new pillowcase project has started. As mentioned, I am trying to encourage the youngest nephew to follow through on his dream to travel through my pillowcase fabric choices.

I sent the first pillowcase off  a few days ago. I hope the theme is obvious. To help with that, I sent him the camping pillowcase first.

I am pleased with how this one came out. I like the tree fabric for the cuff.

Holland Pouch Plans

Holland Pouch + fabric idea
Holland Pouch + fabric idea

As I was organizing all the fabric to wash, I made notes and took pictures of projects I had in mind for the fabric. I need to do that because I am excited about sewing. I am excited about making gifts and some donation projects. I have a lot going on and I don’t want to forget what I was thinking.

Holland Pouch + fabric idea
Holland Pouch + fabric idea

First up is the Holland Pouch. I saw this pattern at Stitch in Ferndale and decided to get it. I love the Hemingway pattern by the same company and it was convenient to purchase the print version while I was there. I found the fabric above and I know the perfect person for it.

I bought the black cat fabric in the second photo for the same person. I bought it first and if I had seen the cat fabric above, I wouldn’t have bought the second fabric. Still, I might make this person two bags. I’ll use the same lining for both.

Finished: Petunia Pouch

Petunia Pouch for Alex
Petunia Pouch for Alex

I think I mostly like saying “Petunia Pouch”. Here is the finished version. It is not a hard pouch, but what a pain this one was!

I had to recut the exterior to get the print going in the right direction. The zipper is a bit off and I had to rip a lot. I don’t know why. Perhaps I was just tired.

Petunia Pouch for Alex - interior peek
Petunia Pouch for Alex – interior peek

More Tula on the inside – this time the tiny stripes in pink.

This is done and gifted and I am pleased.

Ombre Weave Start

A few days ago, you saw a few of the Ombre Weave blocks on the design wall.

Ombre Weave Start
Ombre Weave Start

After gathering the supplies, I made a start on the Ombre Weave quilt at Sew Day the other day. The pattern was written for a jelly roll, which I didn’t have, and there were no alternate instructions. That meant that, first, I had to rewrite the instructions to accommodate the yardage and dessert roll I had. I also had to make sure I could understand them.

Once I did that, with the help of Mary C, I got busy sewing blocks. These are super easy blocks to make and I was able to make 22 during Sew Day. On Sunday I was able to make another 20. I am going to make blocks until the fabric is gone.Then I’ll see where I am.

Finished: Green & Grey D9P

Finished: Grey & Green D9P
Finished: Grey & Green D9P

I was able to finish the binding for the Green & Grey Diagonal 9 Patch. I am thrilled.

There is still a lot of yellow-green, but this pattern is magical. It works so well with a variety of different colors. I want to play with more different color combinations using this pattern.

Finished: Grey & Green D9P back
Finished: Grey & Green D9P back

The back is one of my typical backs. As usual it is made up of large pieces of fabric. Lately, I have been using older fabrics. I am finding that fabrics are better in a quilt than in the Fabric Closet.

I think it looks great and I can’t wait to send it off, though I think I might make a bag for it.

Baby Quilt Storage Bag

Baby 2 Jacobs Drawstring Storage Bag
Baby 2 Jacobs Drawstring Storage Bag

I decided at the last moment to make a storage bag for the baby quilt that was off to San Diego earlier this week.

I wanted to use the Jeni Baker of In Color Order drawstring bag pattern, but for a variety of reasons it wasn’t available. I have made enough of those drawstring bags that I have an idea of how to make them.

I used the steampunk fabric from Feather Your Nest in Gresham. The fabric paired well with some black and white stripes I had available. It is also perfect for my niece.

It is really fun to use fabrics I just bought.

Petunia Pouch #2 Start

A's Petunia Pouch start
A’s Petunia Pouch start

This pouch is for Lindsay’s daughter, A. A has a new brother and I didn’t want to bring him a gift without one for her. Mama loves Tula, so she got some Tula fabric in her bag.

This is a cute little pouch that is good for a little girl, though I don’t think it is good for much else. At least I can’t think what I would use it for. How would you use it? The first one I made went into the Pink Project Bag.

Finished: Diagonal 9 Patch #3

Finished: Diagonal 9 Patch #3
Finished: Diagonal 9 Patch #3

I finished one of the quilts I received back from Colleen the other day, Diagonal 9 Patch #3.

The binding went on very smoothly. I have to remember not to use batiks on the back. I did on this one, but not much.

Finished: Diagonal 9 Patch #3 back
Finished: Diagonal 9 Patch #3 back

The baby for this quilt is due in October. I have to get on the Baby 2 Jacobs quilt, because that baby is due imminently.