This is my first finish of the year! Finally! The Enigma might be my bag of the year as I feel excited about this bag and am eager to make two more.
I started this, because I had another one on my to do list and thought making two at a time would be quick and efficient. I also thought (and really hoped) it would, maybe, be chosen as the UFO project for the first month of the guild UFO challenge. As mentioned, no such luck, so I held off making the one on the list and just worked on this one.
Diana’s Enigma – open, side view
I made this bag for the Angel Mother, and my birthday twin, Diana. I have made a Day Trip Wallet and two Dogwood pouches using the same fabric. I have no idea if she likes it, so I’ll just keep on making bags for her until I run out.
Diana’s Enigma bottom
I wanted to fussy cut the front so it looked a bit better than mine. I ended up fussy cutting the bottom, which ends up being one side. It looks good, but you can’t really see it.
I really like that big flower.
The more times I make this bag, the easier it becomes, but the more I like the construction. I watched part of the video and there were some helpful hints in it. The video is totally worth the purchase when you buy a Sew Sweetness pattern.
Of course, the Enigma is part of a 12 pattern bundle. While Minikins Season 3 is probably my favorite, I have also made several of the patterns from Season 4. See the various projects and decide which season you like best.
One of the patterns I used to make holiday gifts was the Stella Pouch from Center Street Quilts. I have made a couple of these before. One was for a swap and one was my contribution to Laura’s gift basket. I got excited about this pattern when I saw the video with a half vinyl version. I also like the ability to see the fabulous prints used for the lining.
Stella Pouch for Carrie
I made three of these for the holidays. There are no specific directions for using vinyl or adding a Flying Geese strip, as Katrina shows in the version linked above. It isn’t difficult to change substrates or add some Flying Geese, but I forgot the Flying in all three pouches! I’m annoyed because foundation paper piecing, in general, takes me forever and I worked hard at getting these strips done for these specific gifts. Oh well. I’ll make some more of these pouches and add the Flying Geese to them.
Stella Pouch for SueG
The other thing I did just to add a bit of flair was use some of my Renaissance Ribbon as the pull tab. I am not sure how practical it will be. I need to start using my ribbon and this was as good a start as any.
The one thing I need to do differently was the zipper end. It was very thick and hard to turn. I talked to Mary about it and probably need to trim more around the zipper. Another good reason to make more of these.
I quickly made this pouch for Tim as a gift. I usually make him a gift, but for some reason I didn’t plan ahead for him. I will in 2026.
I rounded the corners of this version as it was easier to sew. I also used some great hand-dyed fabric that Sonja made for me a long time ago. It is precious so I save it for special projects.
Green I Spy for Tim-back
Tim loves everything green and he uses the bags I give him, so I decided to use some of this precious fabric for him.
After making the Hemingways for my sister, I had a piece of quilted foam left over. I have been collecting strips of quilted foam and it is getting a little annoying. It seems like such a waste to throw them away, especially since I spent time to quilt them (or money to have them quilted). However, they are small and I haven’t found a good project for them.
Eventually, I decided to sew the leftover Paris fabric/foam into a pencil or glasses case. I am not sure which it is and will let Lil Sissy decide.
I decided to make a Hemingway pouch for my sister for Christmas. Partly this was to provide a laptop/tablet cover for her and partly because this is a quick project and I hadn’t started a more complicated bag in time to get it done before Christmas.
I made this pattern once before. I ended up with a section of vinyl and half a zipper. This time I decided to take MaryC’s advice and make a small pouch to go with the larger one. Mary uses hers for WonderClips, but Lil Sissy can use her for small cosmetics or dog treats.
I am pretty pleased with how it came out, though the print looks a little sideways. I also meant to add a handle, but forgot in the process of getting it done.
Baby Hemingway – 1st iteration
The first iteration of the small Hemingway had the binding on the outside. My machine binding still needs work. I didn’t like the way it looked so I cut off the binding, bound it on the inside and made it a little smaller.
I finished the Cosquilla pretty quickly, considering I only started it a few days ago. In general, this pattern has only a few pieces, so is easy to cut out. The instructions are excellent and there was only one confusing part where I needed to watch the video to complete.
I was able to use one ByAnnie 30 inch double pull handbag zipper for both of the zippers needed in the project. The yellow of the zipper doesn’t go exactly with the fabric I chose, but I think it looks good. There are not as many zipper colors as fabric colors.
Beth’s Cosquilla: interior
This is the first time I have used the same fabric for both the exterior and interior. I don’t know why I never thought of it before (DUH!), but I think it worked really well. There wasn’t a lot of exterior and there were some focus type motifs that I fussy cut in order to make the parts interesting. I still wanted the whole pouch to read as yellow, so I kept that in mind.
Beth’s Cosquilla: zipper side
This pouch, as you can see, has a lot of vinyl. I recently replenished by supply of vinyl. Mostly I like the glitter vinyl, but this time I also bought some vinyl with stars printed on it. I like the glitter vinyl, because it doesn’t interfere with the pattern on the fabric. In this case, I used the star vinyl and I think it allows the fabric motifs to shine as well. The other thing I like about these two vinyl patterns is I can use every inch. I don’t have to worry about the motifs on the vinyl being in the wrong direction when the bag is finished.
Beth’s Cosquilla: side
The pattern had a really interesting piece for the bottom and the sides. It was a long oval piece that had to be quilted before cutting it out. There are fewer seams when one piece makes up the sides and bottom.
I really don’t know how Sara thinks of these bag designs, but I am constantly impressed. Having the sides wrap around the bottom/sides piece was really clever. I like the way it went together.
Sewing it together was no picnic, but it wasn’t as difficult as the Pearce Sling I made for Mom. They share that curved shape, but this pouch is much bigger and that curve was easier, though not easy to navigate.
Anyway, I got SIL#4 a couple of gifts off her list, but also made her this as a bonus. I like to receive things I want, so I always make sure I buy someone something off their list even if I make them something.
My niece, Michaela, asked me for a pencil pouch that she could use with her journal. It wasn’t quite that straightforward, but that is what the gist was. She had a use for a pouch that could go around her journal’s cover and hold a few pens. I love a challenge and went looking for a pattern. I didn’t find one in my Bag Patterns db and no mention in my Quilt Books catalog. That was disappointing, but it could be that such a thing wasn’t on my radar and I didn’t note it.
I had to go looking for a pattern and after a few false starts, which I talked about, I found one from Apple Green Cottage, which I liked. It’s free, but you can get a better looking PDF for $5. It is not a difficult project and I even modified it a little bit out of the gate. The project is billed as a 10 minute project. It took me about an hour and I think I might put my zipper foot on next time. I struggled a bit because the vinyl was a bit slippy with the zipper I chose.
Pencil Pouch with Elastic for Michaela
I also didn’t have the right sized tool to poke out the corners really well. I still need to work on that. I might talk to Modern American Vintage to see what they can make. First, though, I have to find the right size.
The picture at the top is an example of how it is to be used. I demonstrated for myself on the Make 100 Bags book** as it was a similar size to M’s journal. You can see the elastic at the bottom.
I told M that it was v.1 and to let me know if she needed a v.2. I am concerned with the Aurifil 50wt I used. I think I might need something stronger with the vinyl.
I want to make more of these. They do suggest pleather, vinyl or a similar substrate. I am going to try one out of glitter vinyl when I get my restock order and see if the insides are too sharp. I’d love to make more of them from this flower vinyl just to use it up. We’ll see.
Aside from loving a challenge, I love my niece and the fabulous person she has become. I also love making gifts that people can actually use and want. I used some flowered vinyl I received in an SHH gift box I bought for myself, which was great, because I wasn’t sure when I would use it.
It was a fun project and I like the speed in which I could make it.
**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 finished another Multi-Pocket Organizer for me. I gave the previous one away. LOL! I might end up giving this one away as well. 😉
Again, I carefully picked out fabrics that I would like. I cut the bag out before I left for Portland, so this was a good project on which to work while I was there. I worked on it after I finished Gelato #2.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: interior
The goal was to make this for my handbag to get the mess on one side of the divider pocket organized. I tried out the first one I made and it fit pretty well. The mistake I made on this one was to put fusible fleece on the back of that front pocket and on the Multi-Pocket Organizer’s divider pocket. This makes the Multi-Pocket Organizer much thicker, so it doesn’t fit as well into my handbag.
I am really happy with the way it turned out, so I am still thinking about what to do.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #3: back with zipper pocket
I am excited that I finished the Sleeping Bag pouch. I put it aside, but picked it up again last week to finish the binding and the handle.
Overall, I am pleased with the way it came out.For a project with no pattern it was fun and my success spurs me on to think about other bags I want to modify or create.
I want to make some changes to the Ultimate Project Bag and this pouch has made me feel more confident.
Sleeping Bag Pouch – binding/handle
There are things I want to change, so I will be making another one of these. I want to refine the way I finish the edges of the binding. I worked hard on those ends, but wasn’t super happy with the finish. I plan consult Bag Club about other ways of finishing the edge.
Sleeping Bag Pouch – closed
I am thinking about whether the zipper pull would be better closer to the handle when it is closed. I don’t know if it is possible to install it that way. I think I would have to use a regular zipper – use both halves of a zipper instead of one side as a continuous piece as I did with this one. Another topic to discuss with the Bag Club.
I may try another one with selvedges since I have a seemingly endless supply. I want to place the selvedges 180 degrees from the way I placed them this time. I’d like them to be right side up when I carry the bag. I don’t think it makes much of a difference since the selvedge words will be upside down if it is laying on the table or being carried depending on how they are placed. I’d just like to see the difference in how they look. I may as well do it since I have another half zipper anyway!
This will be a useful bag regardless. If I don’t give it to someone else, I have decided that I can use it as a small handwork bag. Maybe I’ll keep it in the car or in my suitcase? I plan to put the pincushion Amanda made for me along with a small EPP project. It is also quite the statement bag!
Yay! I finished the Multi-Pocket Organizer for my handbag! That is the intention anyway. More and more I have been thinking of sending this to a friend. It isn’t that I don’t like and don’t think it will be useful, but it is telling me it wants to go to my friend. We’ll see. I can always make another even with the same, or similar fabrics.
Above is the front of the organizer. It has a divided slip pocket that can be useful for pens or other item you need quickly.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: back
The back of the bag has an interior zipper pocket.
I used the Heather Bailey flower fabric as the exterior. If you look at the front and the back, you will see that I used the exterior fabric for the slip pocket. I was trying to give the most space to the large print. The Tula dot print on the front is sort of like a tone-on-tone and I thought it would work under the slip pocket. I am not sure I was successful. The only thing I don’t like about the heather Bailey fabric are the flies. I didn’t notice them until I cut out the pieces. If they were bees it would be different.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: divider pocket open
Inside are a lot of pockets. The first one I made, according to the directions, after assembling the exterior was the divider pocket. In the photo, left, it is wide open. The inside is made from one of the Tula neon fabrics. The taupe/grey (?) background was a bold choice for me, but I wanted to use the fabric and it went with the dots I used on the exterior.
The ruffly pockets are sewn to the lining and made with elastic. I was looking for a tool I have, the Clover Clip & Glide Bodkin**, which is great for slipping something like elastic through a channel, but couldn’t find it. I am sure it will turn up when I don’t need it.
Multi-Pocket Organizer #2: interior
The photo, right, shows the inside with the divider pocket mostly closed and a bit of the exterior. I used the exterior fabric on the divider zipper pocket, though lining fabric would work as well.
One thing I learned is to make the handles and zipper tabs out of the exterior fabric. They would blend in better.
This is a good project and it doesn’t take very long to make. Again, the pattern is from Sotak Handmade.
**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.
Remember when I mentioned the sleeping bag pouch made by CraftyKristnf? Maybe I just mentioned it to you in my head? She posted some guidelines for making it and I have been mulling them over in my head.
One thing she mentioned in the guidelines were the size of the base piece. A couple of days ago was the day I decided to start. I cut the fabric I planned to use as a base. WOW! It is large. When I think of a pouch, I think small, but this baby will be big.
Template for a curve
The top is curved so my first order of business was to figure out the curve. I decided it was more of an oval than a circle after trying different plates and templates laying around the house. I finally ended up with one of the platters from my china set.
The platter hasn’t been out of the china cabinet for a year, maybe two, so I am sure it was pleased to have an outing.
I folded the fabric in half. In the photo above, the fold is at the top of the photo.
Sleeping Bag pouch base fabric cut
I lined up the ‘short’ end of the platter with the short end of the fabric. I also lined up the ‘long’ side of the platter with the open (non-fold) side of the fabric. It didn’t exactly fit, but it worked well enough. I drew a line and then cut a curve along the non-folded side of the fabric.
I was very pleased with the way the base fabric was shaped. I plan to trace it and use it as a template for future pouches like this. I don’t want to keep running downstairs for my platter. LOL!
The example CraftyKristnf showed uses Renaissance Ribbon and is absolutely gorgeous. I’d love to make one like that. I have plenty of Renaissance Ribbons so materials are no problem. I didn’t want to use them if I was going to wreck my first effort. Selvedges occurred to me. I have a bin full of them as I haven’t cleared it out and given the most recent ones to Amy yet.
Applying selvedges to base
Before I started applying selvedges, I put some SF101 on the back of the base fabric. I thought it would strengthen the fabric for the applique’.
Next, I started arranging and pinning selvedges to the base fabric. Since the top is curved, I was able to use smaller pieces at the top. In the photo, left, you can see the arrows pointing to the curves at the top of the base fabric.
Sleeping Bag Pouch laid out
I was working on something else at the same time, so I dipped in an out of adding selvedges when I needed a break from the other project.
By the end of my sewing session, I had all the selvedges laid out and pinned down. Some of the selvedges are from favorite or much loved fabrics, which makes me happy.
My plan is to start sewing the selvedges on to the base and then trim the piece to size and shape of the base fabric. Then I’ll make the template, adjusting if necessary.
I feel so happy that I am trying this and that, so far, it is working out well.
Today’s is Lil Sissy’s birthday and I was able to finish her Zeppelin pouch and send it off.
I am really pleased that I was able to fussy cut the fabric so that main Paris motif is, essentially, centered.
This was a very easy pouch to make, if a little fiddly.I know I talked about the shape of the pieces the other day. The construction was genius! I am constantly amazed at what Sara comes up with. I don’t know how she figures out these bag patterns.
Zeppelin end
The one part that was a little confusing was the ends, where the zipper tabs and sides come together. I had to watch the video and that made it clear. You have to know what to do, then it works out.
The photo shows mostly the handle, but if you look behind the handle at the zipper, you can see the zipper tab, which is longer than normal sewn in. Super clever. It also reminds me of what I was trying to do the other day with the zipper tab technique.
Zeppelin back
I also remember to put on my label! It is pretty prominent, because I remember after I had already assembled the pouch. I think it is ok to have it be a little prominent for once.
The fabric I used is such great fabric! I was so pleased that I found more of it. I love all the different motifs.
Zeppelin lining anchored
I was also able to anchor the lining to the exterior even though there was no way to box the corners. I took a look at the Hackney pattern, which shows one method and kind of followed those directions.
SIL#2 led at swap at the meeting on Saturday. As mentioned, I made a pencil roll. I decided at the last minute to make another organizer in case a new member or potential member came and wanted to join in.
I found the pattern in a book I reviewed some time ago called Make It, Take It: 16 Cute and Clever Projects to Sew with Friends by Krista Hennebury. I am glad to say that I did notice this project when I reviewed the book.
Make It, Take It needlecase
I am very pleased with the needlecase I made. It is kind of a portfolio and holds quite a bit of stuff. I like it because it is useful and practical, but also has scope for creativity.
I used some of the leftover improv piecing from the latest improv donation top. I think it would work to use Quilt-as-you-go to make the cover as well. I could just as easily use one piece of fabric for a very quick finish.
I was also pleased to see the way the zipper was installed, because I thought it would help me with another project on which I have (mostly not) been working.
Make It, Take It needlecase – open, inside
This was a fairly quick project. I had all of the supplies, which helped. You do need some wool felt and a long zipper.
Each section could be used for a different type of needle, if one were that organized.
One of the reasons I am pleased with the pattern is that it gave me a different way to install a zipper on a circular piece. I can use this technique. I need more practice, but it came out better than my other project.
Make It, Take It needlecase – open, outside
I am also pleased because the exterior looks really good. There is ton of scope for creativity with the outside, as I mentioned. This might be a great project to work on in a group.
The other day I went over to Tim’s to sew. He planned to longarm and I planned to work on my flock of pouches. I was very well prepared and got some new pouches sewn so I could give Mom an even 10.
I was able to get them done except for the zipper tabs. I forgot to bring extra fabric for that.
After making good progress on the Open Wide Pouches, I switched to the Zeppelin pouch, which I had cut out the day before.
I was able to do the prep with the interfacing and foam and get started on sewing the pouch. I had some trouble understanding the zipper tab sewing. Good thing Continue reading “Sewing with Tim.. Again”
Somehow the Zeppelin pattern from Minikins Season 1 got lodged in my mind. I decided to make it as a birthday gift. July is a birthday extravaganza! There is one almost every day.
Once I decided to make it, I got a little nervous, because I could remember what the pouch looked like, but not how many pieces it had or how difficult it would be to make.
Zeppelin: Crazy pattern shapes
I went looking for templates, thinking that I had some. When I couldn’t find them I looked at the pattern and realized there was no way an acrylic template could be made in that shape, which was weird!
I couldn’t imagine how the pouch would go together from looking at the pieces, but I did once I went through the pattern and was impressed with the design. I cut everything out so I could take it to a Sew Day I was having with Tim. There weren’t very many pieces, so this might be a good pattern to have as a quick make when I need a project.
