barbados bag pattern review

On the first of July, the gals at The Quilt Asylum hosted a terrific market review party to show us all of the cool new products from spring Quilt Market. When they showed the new pattern from Pink Sand Beach Design I knew I had to make one! I've made several of their bags before, including the Tahiti Tote that I made recently, and I have never been disappointed. 

The Barbados Bag is a good sized hipster style bag (my iPad even fits inside! I checked). It has lots of pockets including a zipper pocket on the front. The main bag is also closed with a zipper. It's really a great bag! I had a fat quarter bundle that I had bought several years ago on a trip to Arizona and had never used so I decided to cut into it for this. I do believe I have enough left over to make another bag in another color way.

As always, the pattern has lots of terrific pictures and step by step instructions. There were a couple of steps that were not very clear to me (putting the tabs on the zipper for the outside pocket was one. I'm still not sure I did it right, but it looks great). Also, even though the pattern said "make sure the strap isn't twisted" and "made sure the strap is tucked inside the bag before you sew" and even though I swear I checked BOTH of these things, somehow my strap ended up both twisted AND looped outside the bag. Argh! My fault certainly, not the patterns!

I'd say this is an advanced beginner pattern. The zippers do go in easily and look very nice finished off. I am certain I will make this pattern again. You should probably make one too. Just sayin...

Birdie Stitches Quilt Finished!

Well it's finally done! I just put the last few stsches in the binding about an hour ago. The sun was shining and there wasn't much wind, so I took it right outside to take pictures. What do you think?

I decided to have my friend Diann quilt it with an overall bubble pattern and I'm so glad I did! I love it so much!

I am blogging from my Ipad for the first time. I really hope this works! My laptop is on it's way out. I have had it for a long time, and it was used when I got it, so I guess I've been lucky. Hubby says we are not sinking another dime into it. So, I guess we will be laptop shopping soon! Meanwhile, I will do my best to blog from the Ipad. Do any of you do that? Any tips?

Year in Review... Bags and wool felt

As usual, my crafting was heavy in the bags department this year! Here are a few of my bag finishes: 1) Ipad bag 2) diaper bag

3) Hexie bag 4) polka dot bag

I self published my third bag pattern this year too! You can get the Town Square bag pattern in my etsy shop.

I have also developed quite a fondness for wool felt! Here are some of my favorite felt projects this year.1) Hamster 2) sunshine clip (pattern available here)

3) pin cushion 4) cookies


My first pattern published in a magazine was this year too! My watermelon clip was published in the summer issue of Craftsanity. What a thrill for me! I have several more pattern ideas brewing for 2012. Stay tuned!

Ipad Case

I decided my new Ipad needed a pretty new case! I had already bought a hard cover to protect it, refused to take it out of the house until I had. But it needed to be prettied up... I think it came out pretty snazzy! You know I have been enjoying the wool felt. I picked out a few motifs in the lining fabric to applique onto the outside of the case.

I put hooks on both ends of the strap, so it can be removed if not needed, hooked on long to sling across my chest, or doubled up & hooked to make a perfect shoulder bag...

My first finish of 2011! I'm quite happy with the way it turned out. Thinking of making a few more for my shop...