I posted about my progress on the guild UFO challenge. What I forgot to mention is that I started cutting out the Chickadee Backpack as well. I didn’t cut it all out, but I did start cutting from the large piece of quilted foam I had Colleen longarm for me months (years?) ago.
This month’s UFO project hasn’t been chosen yet, but making a little progress will be helpful when the Chickadee is chosen.
MaryC’s Chickadee
I was also inspired by MaryC churning one out for a baby gift. She is amazing.
I was also pleased that she tried out a Sew Sweetness pattern! Many of my bag making friends don’t try Sew Sweetness patterns, despite my best efforts. Maybe she will try some of the others.
This month #3 was pulled so the EPPic it is. I brought the project bag with all of the pieces to Sew Day and looked at them. I didn’t make any progress beyond the photo as I had other things to do. Still, it was a start and it got me going.
I worked on the bag on and off all month and was able to finish it, as you read the other day. One thing I found with thisproject was I didn’t really know where I was when I pulled it out. There are pieces I needed that I didn’t cut out before. I didn’t remember why. I didn’t make any notes like I usually do. I made new decisions as I worked on the project and that worked out fine. I just wonder what I was thinking.
As I mentioned before I groan every month when the number is pulled. I groaned less this time as I thought this project was very doable. Someone asked what the worst part of bagmaking is. Many, many people posted responses and I thought “yes, that is the worst part” to all different answers. Then I stopped myself and asked myself if I really like bagmaking despite, apparently not liking any of the steps. I think this goes back to my old battle of process vs. product. I guess there is more work to be done on that. Still, one of the reasons I thought this was very doable was that 95% of the pieces were already cut out and that is always a not-fun part of the process for me. I’d rather just start sewing, even if some of the parts are difficult.
Also, these are definitely projects that I want to finish. Still why do I groan when it actually comes to working on them? I think it comes down to them being UFOs. Although, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I finally finish one of them, the excitement of a new project has passed. I think it is better for me to decide to make a project, start it and finish it.
In contemplating UFOs in general, I will never have zero UFOs. I don’t think that is possible. I am happy that I am finishing projects. I cleared up a lot of miscellaneous tasks last month, which made space for other projects. As a result of not putting blocks away and moving on, both the Warm Four Patch Fun and the Cool Four Patch Fun are ready to quilt. The 1-2-3 Mosaic is done.
Canvas VibrantVue from Sewfisticated
I am still thinking about making a small start on some of the other projects on my list. The Catalan Storage Cube and the Joni Tote are the top two. I could start cutting the canvas Vibrant Vue fabric I bought from Sewfisticated to make the Joni totes. EPPic first, however, then I’ll think about making some progress on the other projects.
I finally finished the EPPic Case Base. I didn’t follow the directions exactly, but made the base my own. Mostly, I changed from the elasticated cord required to foldover elastic. I don’t think I will need more than space for two spools of thread if I am EPPing.
I took a scrap of ribbon and used it to cover the raw edge of the elastic. I would continue the foldover elastic up to the seam with the upper pocket next time, but the ribbon was a good solution for now.
I was able to sew the binding to the outside of the case by machine, but then I had to unsew it. It looked bad. I re-pressed the binding to give myself a little more space and then machine sewed it again. It is better this time. I am now sewing the second side of the binding by hand.
I am making good progress on the EPPic bag. I am not working on exclusively, so it is taking longer. I slotted the Sidewalk #6:Green quilt in so I can hand it in on Saturday.
I am finding that taking a pause between steps is working out well for me. I am finding solutions that make the bag better for me.
As mentioned, the directions are not as comprehensive as other pattern designers’ patterns. This has made me bolder. I don’t feel like I need to do the step her way. I feel liberated to do steps in a way that makes the bag work better for me. This is very novel. I still feel like I am doing the steps ‘wrong’. However, as I look at the photo above, nothing looks wrong about it.
That pause, rather than blindly trying to follow the directions, is giving me some freedom. I am not saying “when I make this again.” I am asking “will the designer’s solution work for me this time?”
EPPic Base in process
That led me to doing the thread holder a little differently. The pattern calls for elastic. I decided to use foldover elastic.
I didn’t think I would need 5 spools, so my foldover elastic solution holds two. One thing I am never sure about when using foldover elastic is how long of a piece to add and how tight to stretch it. We’ll see if this works.
Gosh! I started this project in 2023! I am really not sure why I didn’t just make it.
This bag is easier than I expected. The pattern is by a new-to-me designer, as in I haven’t made any of her patterns before. The style of the directions are less hand holding and more “do this any way you want.” This style brings me up short a bit. I know how to do all of the steps, but I am unsure that I am doing it ‘right’. I can see that I encountered that sort of feeling when I worked on cutting out the pieces last year. I’ll have to think about that.
I started out with the exterior, as it said in the directions, and I finished that section pretty quickly. It makes a difference when everything is already cut out and interfaced.
EPPic interior vinyl pocket
The next part was an inner vinyl pocket. Here I found that the naming of the pieces, or my understanding of the naming was a little off. I had to be really careful about making sure I had the right pieces.
I didn’t understand the pleating instructions, so I didn’t sew the pleats down initially. I clipped them and then sewed the top pleats when I sewed the foldover elastic as binding. I kept the bottom ones clipped until I had that AHA moment on how to sew them (horizontal to the edge not parallel to the pleat as I originally thought). I am glad I paused and let the directions simmer a bit.
I have never made a vinyl pocket with pleats before. It makes sense, but I wonder how the pocket will hold up?
EPPic Flap in process
I didn’t really run into any problems until I got to the flap, which is part of the interior. I am not sure I have made a bag with a flap like this before. I didn’t really understand the directions.
I was able to find a page of video tutorials on the Chasing Tigers website. I do appreciate the effort that goes into these videos. It was really helpful to watch the video as one step was missing from the printed instructions – sewing up the sides.
I added a snap, as you can see. I didn’t have the magnetic snap with the prongs, so I used the SnapSetter and enjoyed hitting the tool with the hammer. LOL!
Cutting with the Katie’s Korners Radial Rule
The corners of the bag edges are rounded and the pattern comes with a template for doing that. I didn’t want to use the tissue paper pattern/template I made. I went rummaging for a couple of corner rulers I have. I found that the Katie’s Korners Radial Rule (wasn’t able to find a link, so if you see one, buy it; very useful) was the perfect size for this project. Again, I was glad to find the exact size that I needed. I think an approximate size would have worked, but since I haven’t made this project before, I wasn’t sure what effect a different sized corner would have.
One thing I still need to figure out is the what the difference is between the patterns in the bundle. I am sure I knew at one point, but I have yet to figure it out. This is probably where the names of patterns comes in handy.
I am not sure what is next in the pattern, but I am making good progress and am pleased that this UFO will be finished soon.
As I mentioned before I groan every month when the number is pulled. These are projects that I theoretically want to finish, but I groan when it actually comes to working on them. Why is that? I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I actually finish one of them which I wouldn’t have if I didn’t work on them.
I said before that I have been contemplating UFOs in general. As a result of not putting blocks away and moving on, the Warm Four Patch Fun is ready to quilt as is, as of June 21, the 1-2-3 Mosaic. The Cool Four Patch Fun is ready to be sewn together.
Canvas Vue from Sewfisticated
As I said there are projects on the list I really want to make. I have an idea for how to use the Catalan Storage Cube and was really hoping it would be pulled this month. I also want to use the Canvas Vue fabric I bought from Sewfisticated to make one of the Joni totes. As a result, I was thinking I could cut these projects out, making a small start on them as well as getting ahead in the challenge and possibly making it easier on myself.
Every month when the number is pulled, I groan. These are projects that I theoretically want to finish, but groan when it actually comes to working on them. I don’t know why, especially since I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I actually finish one of them.
I have been contemplating UFOs recently as I see how easy it is to switch projects and put blocks away and move on. I am working on the Four Patch Fun quilt(s) and the 1-2-3 Mosaic. Neither are really feeding my soul, but I am determined that will not go into the fabric closet as UFOs.
I have a couple of projects on my mind on which I really want to work. I saw a portfolio/folder video for which there is no pattern, as far as I can tell. I would happily buy it if there were. The video shows enough detail that I can sew the bag. The issue is sizes, so I have been thinking about that.
I am also very interested in the quilt I designed for the Chaos with a Twist class. The next class is all about construction and choosing fabrics. I have that nailed and really want to start piecing.
Canvas Vue from Sewfisticated
There are also projects on the list I really want to make. I have an idea for how to use the Catalan Storage Cube and was really hoping it would be pulled this month. I also want to use the Canvas Vue fabric I bought from Sewfisticated to make one of the Joni totes.
I started Serendipity Lady in 2014. I haven’t worked on her since a CQFA Retreat in 2019. I also haven’t written much about it.
Serendipity Lady, 2026
She is the next UFO Challenge piece on which I have to work. The first step was getting her out of the closet. I didn’t have to find her as she was hanging flat against the back wall of the Fabric Closet. So, the first step was achieved pretty easily.
Serendipity Lady, 2026 -reverse
The next step was to rip off the paper that I used to stabilize the piece for the applique’. I was able to accomplish this task over the course of a couple of nights in front of the TV.
I have no idea what I used, but it was two layers and it felt like drawing paper. Some of it under the actual satin stitching was impossible to remove. This will be a wall hanging, so it doesn’t matter.
My next step is to quilt the piece.
Shock! Horror! I know. I have a plan and since it is small, I think I will be able to do it. I had planned to frame this piece, but I don’t know if I will do that or not at this point. One thing at a time.
Something changed. I am not sure what. Understanding? Small success? I don’t know, but something clicked into place and I am back on track to make progress on the Pandora Charisma.
First, I have been reading the pattern and watching the video to help move me along. This should be the magic combination, but the video’s sound wasn’t working so I had to read the closed captioning. First world problem, I know, but something was missing. It could be the way I learn.
Pandora Charisma back panel with connector
The other day, the video’s sound magically started working! This was so helpful.
I have been using the Diamond quilted vinyl from Sewfisticated and I am pleased with the overall look of the back panel. I was concerned with the white and the black combo when I put on the bottom D-rings, but the connector at the top made the whole thing look good.
Next, I was confused about the interfacing. Decovil was one of the options. The designer provides several different options, which is awesome, but also confusing. The presenter on the video talked a little about the stick-on Sewfisticated interfacing. I have some and decided to try it. Magical! I don’t have to iron it or sew it on, which is important for the exterior I am using, which cannot be ironed.
Also, I bought a Teflon foot for my machine, which really works well.
Finally, seeing what the presenter did with the D-rings (mine are triangles on white strips in the above photo) and using the Teflon foot made the sewing so much easier.
So, I think I am back on track. Fingers crossed! I have 8 days to go before the UFO challenge deadline. Will I make it?
The deadline is looming and I am slowly making progress. I have come to terms with not finishing this bag before the deadline. However, I think the main thing is that I started it.
Pandora Charisma front panel pocket
The other day I finished the front panel pocket. There were some confusing bits, but I found a video that showed me what I needed to know. I don’t think it is an official Sewfisticated video, but it did the job.
I do not have a UFO category on this blog. That is intentional. I really do not want to let projects languish as I tend to not like them, or remember what I was thinking, if I stop working on them. This doesn’t happen so much with quilts since I cleared off the 26 Projects list. The first post was a list of all of my UFOs at the time. The second was a post on my thoughts on UFOs. I also included some resources. Many are probably dead links, but there might be a few you can use. My category is ‘Works in Progress’.
The guild UFO challenge is making me work on bags that have been on my list for awhile, or started and never finished. This seems to happen more with bags than quilts these days.
Pandora Charisma front pocket
I had made a very small start on the Pandora Charisma before the challenge. The other day I really got started on the sewing.
OMG, the Sewfisticated Quilted Diamond Vinyl in White Quartz was awesome to cut. I was talking with my mom, step-dad and DH about the bag and trying to explain this substrate. I described it as pleather. I didn’t remember that it was vinyl. It doesn’t feel like vinyl. It doesn’t feel like the glitter vinyl I love or the star vinyl I used on the Cosquilla pouch. The quilted Diamond vinyl is very soft and buttery. It feels like a very expensive leather.
I am struggling a tiny bit because I have to get used to a new pattern designer/writer, but in general the project is moving along well. I didn’t want to stop working on it last night and am excited to have another go tomorrow. This is due on February 7, if I want to get credit in the challenge. Fingers crossed I can do it!
One of our guild members offered to host a UFO Challenge. She had participated in one at another guild. I am all for members participating so I told her to go for it. She roped Friend Julie in to help, which I thought was a great idea.
This is a Sew Day to Sew Day group project rather than a meeting project. I think it is good to space activities out. Also, some people only attend Sew Days, so it gives them an opportunity to participate in a group project. I don’t want to be in charge of everything or tell people how to do everything, which means letting the UFO team run with the project.
As president of the guild, however, I feel I have to try and participate in most activities. As a result, I dutifully made my list of UFOs. All of mine are bag related since I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish an unquilted quilt in a month. I could certainly finish the top, but not the quilting.
Most of these projects have been on one of my lists or another. You can see links to the ones that I have started on the 26 Projects list, like Serendipity Lady, the EPPic Bag and the Rose Petrillo Bag. The Paris Cell Phone Wallet should be on the list, because it is cut out. I don’t know why it isn’t, but I will add it.
I have cut out a few pieces for the Sheffield. I also made a Sun Hat and didn’t like it so have started another one using the Bardot pattern from Sew Hungry Hippie, but otherwise all of the projects are on my “I want to make this sometime list.” I put the Joni Tote Bag also from Sew Hungry Hippie on my list in order to try some fabric (one of the weird substrates) I bought from Sewfisticated.
I only had 10 things on the list, which was ok, but I decided to add the Catalan Storage Cube to round out the list. I accidentally bought a frame for the pattern with a recent order and I might as well put it to use instead of having the frame sit around the workroom. The Catalan Storage Cube is part of Minikins Season 4, another one of the Sew Sweetness 12 bag bundles.
Pandora Charisma
Finally, I decided it was time to make the Pandora Charisma, so I added that as number 12 as well. This is one the bags I got from the Bag of the Month Club for which I signed up last year. I know I have the skills to make it, but it is a little scary for a couple of reasons. First, I haven’t made a pattern by this designer before. Second, the pattern is 52 pages. Third, there are a lot of weird shapes making up the pattern. The bag is cool so it is time to make it. It is different than any other designs I have seen or made. I can’t imagine that I can’t do it.I need to make it, though. The bag does me no good sitting around on my computer looking pretty.
The Coneflower #2 Hackney is going very well. I think this one is coming out the best of all of them. I think the DecorBond** I added really helped a lot.
I only just added the DecorBond after making so many Hackneys, because I was confused by the directions. I read them as Decovil 526** OR DecorBond. I tend not to watch the entire videos that come with the Sew Sweetness patterns, but I probably should! They are super helpful and would probably answer the Decovil 526** OR DecorBond question.
Then I thought maybe the DecorBond would be a good addition, so I tried it. Fortunately, I had a small amount in my bag of interfacing. It was a great addition that made the top really flat and not wobbly. It wasnt’ bad to sew through either. It didn’t add a lot of bulk to the seam allowances.
As you can see from the photo, I have a bit of finishing to do before I can send this bag off to its new owner.
**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 am in the process of making some of Aneela Hoey‘s pouches. I pulled this pattern out at the last minute to make some gifts that I was woefully behind on making. Although I am not finished, I am pretty pleased on how these are coming out.
The pattern I am using is called Speedy Vinyl Pouches. If I weren’t trying to make 5 at once, they would have been much speedier. 🙂 Still they are fairly quick to make. I bought this pattern on spec after seeing another one of her patterns, the Boxy Clear Pouch that Angela made and looking through the site. Of course, I want all of her patterns, but I am trying to make the patterns that I have, so I limited myself.
Speedy Pouch Gift
The materials are pretty easy to gather up from what you have around the house, except for the zippers. I didn’t have 4″ zippers, but I did have 5″ or 6″ zippers and I just cut them off. It worked fine. Well, it has worked fine so far. We’ see when the pouches are finished.
The thing I really wanted to tell you is that the pattern is great! It is very clearly written, has a great font and is easy to follow — even for me! There was one line with the binding that I didn’t understand, but I made my own way and it seems to work. I guess we’ll see when I sew the binding down.
As you can see, I cut the fabric the wrong way, so the zipper is on the side. Oh well! One thing about this pattern is the orientation of the fabric. She is clear about it. I was trying to use scraps and cut the wrong way, then didn’t have more, so I am going with the flow.
Once I started working on this pattern, I thought I might be able to suggest the pattern to the Bag-a-Long group as an alternative to the ones the designer of the Ultimate Carryall Bag sells. I have nothing against her bags, but I think people might like an alternative to those pouches. I am not sure if this pattern will work as I can’t see a way to add a leash. I could add something as a zipper pull with a lobster clip on the end, but I am not excited about that option. I am going to consult with Lynette on Saturday.
I haven’t talked about this project in a long time. I have been working on bunches of EPP stars. It wasn’t until last week that I actually put some of them together in groups and then attached them to my big piece.
I also laid the whole piece out on the bed and found that I have to double the size to make it even begin to fit our bed. I am feeling a little daunted by that effort with all of the other hand projects I have. Still, my friend Faye said that I have to think about this project as a long term, slow project.
Hexie Stars -Big Piece detail
There is a certain amount of satisfaction in getting even a few bits of this top done. When I add 4 stars to the larger piece, it feels good. It feels like I am making progress.
This is another project where I find that there are not enough colors in the rainbow. I guess I’ll have to think of it as a design challenge.
