Tag: Gifts

Finished: Pink Project Cotton Candy

Pink Project Cotton Candy
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.

Cotton Candy – More Starts

Cotton Candy Starts
Cotton Candy Starts

As mentioned, I started sewing some Cotton Candy pouches at Sew Day. I had cut them out as a reminder after I sewed the Slimline version of the Cotton Candy pouch wrong. I was a little angry at myself, because I want to work on new pouches – patterns I haven’t tried before. Even though I love the Cotton Candy pouch, I have made it many times. I felt, however, that I needed to remind myself how to get this pattern right.

I was pleased with the progress I made at our Special Sew Day. I would have liked to have made more progress, but forgot the zippers. When I got this far, it was time to clean up and go home anyway.

I thought I would try the triangle fabric fabric I bought at Bay Quilts recently and see how I liked it in bags.

Both of these will be for the Pink Project. I know one is blue, but I am doing a second batch for the local Alumnae Panhellenic group and want to use some different fabrics.

Drawstring Gift Bag

Pink Artist Lined Drawstring Pouch
Pink Artist Lined Drawstring Pouch

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.

Another Look at Gifts for Mom

In honor of my Mom’s birthday, which was yesterday, I am revisiting the gifts I have made for her. She is downsizing so I have slowed my production  for her and she didn’t get a bag yesterday. Still, there are a couple of new items on the list. I still have fabric for her, so I am not done making things with it yet.

 

Slimline Cotton Candy

Slimline Cotton Candy Pouch
Slimline Cotton Candy Pouch

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.

Another Month, a New Pillowcase

Cities Pillowcase
Cities 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

Ombre Weave Top Finished

Ombre Weave Top Finished
Ombre Weave Top Finished

After allowing this top to languish on my design wall, I finally got down to business and finished the top.

I like the look of it with the sashing in between the blocks.

I am renaming it Hugs & a Kiss. I mostly made Os with the blocks (hugs). I turned four blocks into an X to symbolize a kiss for my niece.

Ombre Weave Back almost Finished
Ombre Weave Back almost Finished

I am almost done with the back and the binding, so this will be off to Colleen soon.

I decided not to make the Heart Strings quilt**, so I had quite a bit of the V&Co ombre to use for the backing and the binding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**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.

Baby Jacobs Diagonal 9 Patch Finished

Finished: Baby 2 Jacobs D9P
Finished: Baby 2 Jacobs D9P

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.

 

Progress on the Ombre Weave

Ombre Weave - end of Aug 2024
Ombre Weave – end of Aug 2024

I had time last week to trim blocks and cut more pieces for more blocks. I was nervous this quilt would be too small for a teenager, but it is getting larger. It won’t be a huge quilt, but it will be nice for cuddling.

I am thinking I may use some of the ombre fabric I bought to make the Ombre Hearts quilt as the back. We’ll see, but I don’t think I will be making that quilt.

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.