Rainbow Around the Block #3 Completed

This afternoon we got a bunch of rainstorms so was stuck in the house. I just couldn’t pass up the chance to work out another block for the Rainbow Project so hit the stash and started mixing and matching fabrics.  As you can tell, I like reds and blues, and reds and blacks so have a lot of those fabrics up in my library/fabric room.  I really need to branch out and start using more of Anna Maria Horner’s and Amy Butler’s materials.  The times I’ve sewn with them have been so enjoyable. Their designs are absolutely out of this world.  It’s been a hot and humid day but one where Buddy and I got a lot accomplished inside and out... but any day where I have some spare time to make a little something for charity is a successful one. I wonder what we will be up to tomorrow.

A Special Wrapping for the" I want One of Everything Bag"

This bag is a special present for a very person very precious to me so I wanted to do something different with the wrapping.  After a lot of thought, I came up with the idea of using color coordinated tissue paper with ties made from the fabric used in the purse.  I used pinking sheers for the hearts and ripped the ties like I did the straps. The results put a smile on my face. I’m not a very good photographer, but here are the results. Should you want to see some clever and attractive ways to use fabric in gifts, so the the Amy Butler main page, scroll down to the Free Patterns choice, and click.  It was her fabrics I used in making the bag.

"I Want One of Everything Bag" Interfacing

Following pattern instructions, this afternoon I attached the interfacing to 1/2 of the bag with a 3/8 inch seam.  It went together just fine and looks like it will go the job nicely.

                 Wrong Side

                 Front with Interfacing Attached

I Want One of Everything Bag

Last summer my daughter introduced me to the Amy Butler line of fabrics which our local quilting shop, The Quiltery, just happens to carry. Her prints are so bright and vivid I am drawn back to them every visit I made to the little store. Last week, while looking through Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner, I became fascinated with her “I Want One of Everything Bag” pattern. Everything about the pattern shouted out, “You’ve got to make me out of some of that Amy Butler fabric.  So back to The Quiltery I went and bought a 1/4 yard of 12 of her gorgeous prints.  Working out the placement was a tad bit tedious, but the fan shaped front and back became a real eye opener when the pieces were laid out side by side.  Today I basted all of the little sections one to the other and then stitched them and pressed open the seams. My next step will be to create the lining, but that will have to wait for another day. Fun, Fun, Fun!