She made it as a test before she makes one with some of her precious fabric. One of her friends gave her the fabric and supplies for both backpacks.
Archie Backpack – interior
I love it when people make bags so I was thrilled to see this effort.
It looks like a really useful bag. I have the Marlin Backpack pattern from Sew Sweetness and it looks similar. I haven’t made it yet, so I am having a hard time answering a couple of Lindsay’s questions.
She said the seams are rolling and I am not quite sure if that is a function of the pattern, or the fact that it is a backpack or if it is the way the seams are finished.
Archie backpack – back, straps
From these angles, the bag looks really great. I hope I get to see it in person.
I was over at Tim’s the other day for an impromptu Sew Day. Yes, I have a million holiday related things on my to do list, but who cares? It’s sewing! How could I say no?
He was tidying up after finishing a couple of quilts while I cut out more bags that will be gifts. In the process, he found a lot of scraps.
Tim’s chips
He described creating “chips” to me. This is a method to use up scraps. It is based on strips and called Stashbuster #7 on the Just Get It Done Patterns page. He created some ‘chips’ while I was there. (photo, left) . The process went pretty fast, because he found pieces with straight edges and sewed them together. Like everyone, Tim has a palette, so with a little juggling of fabrics, his strip sets went together well.
More of Tim’s chips
He sent me a photo the next day with a few more chips. I think he is close to having enough for a baby quilt. I don’t have a good sense of the sizes, so it is hard to tell.
I think this process can be done as leaders and enders while you are working on something else.
What I noticed about the Just Get It Done Patterns page is that there is a pattern as well as a video AND a coloring page. Perhaps you just want to color and relax that way? Great idea.
Tim commented “I sew the pieces together and trim them to 1.75 x 4. [To do that,] … I measure 1.5 from the seam and trim before I open and iron. More accurate.” This is interesting. I never thought of measuring before I opened and pressed the strip sets. Interesting. I’ll definitely try it when I made one of these quilts.
This might be the perfect project when you are busy or can’t concentrate on something complicated. It looks complicated, however, so it satisfying.
Tim’s finished chips quilt -2019
Tim showed me the finished version he made back in 2019 or so for friends.
I like the addition of the squares. It breaks up the rectangles.
This is the great thing about being a member of a guild. As much as I try, I can’t watch every video or see every pattern. Having quilt friends do some of the work is a boon.
Tim got his longarm up and running again. To test it and practice, he quilted some donation quilts, including the one I talked about the other day. He showed them to me when I stopped by a few days ago.
The good thing about these quilts is that they are actual quilts not just tops. The bad part is that I can take no credit for any of them. Still, like the designs he used for quilting and the patterns are fun, too.
Donation quilt quilted by Tim
This one uses a similar block to my Corner Store quilt. The arrangement is different than the one I used and makes me want to revisit the block. Maybe it would be a good idea for a donation quilt?
On both quilts Tim used different quilting patterns in the foreground and background. I think that adds to the quilts.
The testing was good as he is ready to quilt his Courthouse Steps quilt. It also means more quilts for BAM to give to those in need.
I went out the other day and encountered some random quilt stuff. I wanted to share some things with you.
On-the-go-snack-case
First, at the Granary, I saw some interesting patterns. I have Organizational items on the mind as that might be the theme of the guild’s next swap. (N.B. Click the ‘join here‘ button so you can participate, too!). I saw a couple of interesting ideas. I thought they would be a little different than the Desktop Cube type project I made recently. One was a pouch for reusable silverware. I saw the larger one made up and it is a little on the large size, but the small size might be really useful.
Pockets to Go
Next, was the Atkinson Designs Pockets to Go** pattern. As you can see in the pattern, there are two sizes. The larger size looks like it would be great for a car trip or to corral personal items in a hotel room. Obviously, this would work very well for Sew Day. It is a little like a purse organizer for things other than purses.
The smaller size would fit very well on desks and next to sewing machines.
This is more like the Desktop Cube type project I made recently, but the handles and pockets make them a little more useful .
The larger size reminds me of the Oslo Tote I made for a swap several years ago.
Madelyn Bag panel
Second, also at the Granary, Julie pointed out a tote bag kit where the fabric is a printed panel. The various pieces of the bag are printed on the panel and labeled. For example the long strips at the top are labeled ‘straps’. Sadly, there was no picture of the finished bag on this package. Still, this is a great idea for new bag makers or if you want to make a quick bag as a gift.
I had to go out and do some research to see if I could find out more about this product. I found the Quilt Trends site. On it was the following description “a 36” panel featuring Lazy Girl’s popular Runaround Bag pattern, you’ll be able to make two bags with this versatile panel. The pieces are printed, just cut them out. Basic directions are printed on this panel. If you would like a more complete pattern, the LGD Runaround Bag Pattern is available on this site.”
I also found out that the panel is part of the ‘Madelyn’ line of fabric from Joan Hawley. The site describes this fabric as “Madelyn is Joan’s latest collection for QT Fabrics. The Madelyn Collection is anchored by a Jacobean print in Joan’s 11 piece collection done in her signature colors of aqua and purple. Supporting fabrics contain florals, scallops, tossed leaves, geometrics and a stripe.”
Well, I am impressed that Joan or QT Fabrics thought a great panel to include would be a bag. Good work!
Axe Yamazaki sewing machine
Third, from the MOMA is a fun little sewing machine called the Axe Yamazaki. I don’t think it is really that useful, but it is cute and I would love to take it for a test drive.
Again, I wandered around the Web and found the Axe Yamazaki website, which has better pictures of the machine. “This lightweight, only 4.6 Pounds,
cordless machine can be used anywhere.” The machine’s size is given as 4.5″D x 11.5″W x 10.4″H. Cost is $168 and the machine comes with a cell phone stand.
**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.
Tim is getting his longarm back in order. In order to test it, he quilted this quilt, then handed it over to me to bind. I didn’t know he would do that, but I don’t mind.
He has had this quilt in his pile for a long time and doesn’t remember who made it. I think it is an interesting design.
I plan to cut off the excess back and use that for the binding. It’s small and shouldn’t take me that long. No fabric usage for me from this quilt.
The green drawer is still relatively empty, though I have a huge pile of unprocessed scraps on my cutting table, so I am sure that won’t last. I need to find some time to deal with them. Maybe Sew Day?
Sue said she made this while we were having our Sew Day. Sue was away for some of the Fall, but she misses us (and we miss her) when she is away. At least I do. 😉
Sue’s Flying Geese
Some weeks ago, Gerre demoed the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler. Sue had that ruler and a random FQ bundle she had on vacation, she went to work.
I don’t know how many of the rulers she had along, but using one can make more than one size.
Sue said she thought the ruler was good. She made FGs in sizes that didn’t match up easily, so she had to add pieces. She wasn’t sure she liked the colors, but found it to be a fun challenge.
Sue said that the piece ended up about 30×27.
I like the different sizes of the Flying Geese. I think that adds interest to a piece. The colors have an old fashioned sort of look – not 1930s, but maybe 40s? There is a flat, e.g. not shiny or textured, look to them, but the pink is definitely bubblegum.
The other thing I like is that she just went and played.
On my most recent trip to Portland, I bought this painting from the artist with whom we stay. Leah Kohlenberg is a working artist who also teaches. I fell in love with this painting and just decided to buy it. I have never done that before and it was a novel experience.
I said I would make a few additional Ribbon Friendship Stars to make up where someone bailed out. I was supposed to make another 5, but only had the fabric for another four. I hope that is good enough, though I can whip up one on the special Sew Day next week if we need an extra.
My youngest sister contacted me about buying a sewing machine. It turns out she broke her machine ($100 Singer) free motion quilting! She is making a quilt! I am thrilled.
This looks like a baby quilt to me and I think it is an awesome first effort.
Kelly’s quilt – detail
I told her I was impressed by her attempts at free motion quilting. She told me that is what broke her machine.
I gave her some tips and she ended up with a used Brother Innovis NS80e. She got it from a dealer who offers a 25 year warranty on the used machines they sell!
I am not familiar with that model, but looked it up. It has a lot of features and stitches for a starter machine. My niece is going great guns making projects from the One Yard Wonder book. I am pretty excited to have them both sewing.
I made the blocks I promised to make for a group quilt. Most people are making 6 blocks, but I agreed to make more since I suggested making the quilt larger.
I am not a huge fan of the Friendship Star block in general. I like them smaller than 12 inches, which is why I made the Friendship Stars in Flying Around so small. I also like them better when combined in wreath format.
For this quilt, I liked the sentiment of the Friendship star and thought the addition of the ribbon (the green and the blue) was an interesting element. When I put all the blocks next to each other on the design wall, I though they looked great. It looks a little boring with just my blocks, but the group will use different red-violet fabrics for the centers and that will make the whole quilt more interesting.
These blocks are easy to make and would be great for a quilt for friends. I copied the design into EQ8 and created a pattern so you can make blocks for your friends, too. If you need a reminder of how to make Half Square Triangles, you use the Leah Day 2-at-a-time tutorial or my Triangle Technique (8-at-a-time HSTs) tutorial, if you are making a lot of blocks.
Julie is also making some of these blocks. She sewed a practice block, which I think is a good idea, even though I didn’t do it. She also has a great post about her process and the tools she used. I forgot about the Seams Easy marking tool, which I have, but always seem to forget about.
These are the blocks I agreed to make for the project, but I have more fabric, so I thought I would make more blocks so that the quilt can be bigger. We’ll see if I can get them done.
I finished work on Friday and spent the weekend on some cleanup projects, one of which was the Pantone blocks.
I finally finished all the blocks for the Pantone Project. I am excited that I can start playing with the layout, especially after I saw what Friend Julie was doing on her design wall!
These have been hanging around my workroom for a few weeks now. Last weekend was really the first time in a few weeks I had uninterrupted time to sew. DH was out and the house was quiet so I could concentrate. Fortunately, except for one fabric, I had picked out all the fabrics previously so all I had to do was cut and sew. I did choose some of the easier blocks, but I tried to choose blocks I thought I could use in the overall quilt design. Now to just get these to Julie at some point soon.
SueG’s entries were amazing! I didn’t know she entered so many projects into the Fair.
Breakage by SueG
This is Breakage by one of my friends (and student). It is her own design and I am so proud of her. She won a ribbon at the Fair as you can see.
She said that she was able to make this quilt, because of what I taught her in the quilt class. That made me feel SOO good.
I have been wanting to write about her quilt, Breakage, for awhile and seeing it at the Fair meant that I could take a photo and then would be able to write about it.
One of the things I teach is that knowing all the techniques allows you to have the skills to not only design your quilts, but actually put them together. Sue knew how to sew and how to make quilts when she joined my class, but she has much more confidence now and is really making some amazing works. Breakage is just one of them.
I spent some time last week finding fabrics for my last group of Pantone blocks.
I don’t have any greens as dark as Deep Forest, so in the end, I just chose a black.
Most of the others I selected from older fabrics that I haven’t even looked at in awhile. I have one more fabric to select, but I have already cut the 4.5 inch squares. I have also started to make the blocks and will show those soon.
