Showing posts with label Sew Together Bag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sew Together Bag. Show all posts

December 29, 2015

Best of 2015: Linky Party

Let's just say, picking 5 posts was quite a challenge. It was fun to go through all the 2015 posts and revisit some long forgotten projects. As a bonus I have titled them with "Best of" awards. Some were fun, some were traumatic, but all were worth it! Thank you Cheryl for hosting this link up, it's been great to see everyone's favorites from the past year. Head over to Meadow Mist Designs to get in on the fun!

Best Perseverance through Tears: Bias Strip - Score 9


This quilt caused the most misery and trauma this year, but turned out amazing. The struggle came from the curves, getting all those petals to sit flat, and making a cohesive quilt, put a damper on the fun. In fact, it was downright painful at times. Then after all that effort, I took a huge risk and decided to hand quilt using black Perle cotton thread with a flower pattern. That wasn't painful, it just took a long time. The pattern creates such a cool effect on the quilt overall.


Best Skill Learned: Zippers 


Thank you to Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty for sitting me down for a zippervention. This little Sew Together Bag was my first go at zippers. Might as well try with something with multiple zippers for my first attempt. Good thing everything went together smoothly and I have since stretched my zippering skills to pouches and hand bags. Don't worry Michelle was rewarded for her time and effort.



Best Out of Comfort Zone: Picnic Pinwheels 


Ok, this was going to be called "Best Pattern" but it's my only pattern, so that wouldn't be right. Joining up in the New Block Blog Hop, I created the Picnic Pinwheel block. From the block tutorial, I then wrote up a pattern for a baby and throw sized quilt.  You can download the pattern here. 


Best Quilt of 2015: X-Ceptional


X-ceptional is part of Gerri Robinson's book, Quilted Living and Fat Quarter Shop's Summer Book Tour. I was so excited to be apart of their hop and loved working with Gerri's book. It was hard to narrow down just one quilt, and since then many patterns have made my to do list. Through every step of the quilt making process, this quilt was my favorite. I just love it. Out of all the quilts on my quilt rack, this one is used the most. 


Best Pattern Test of 2015: Sea Star


Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs put out a call for pattern testers early this year. Of course, I couldn't resist. Last fall I tested the Looking Glass pattern, and fell in love with Cheryl's designs. Sea Star was no different, her patterns are easy to follow have great visuals and directions. If you are looking for new projects in the the new year, Cheryl's patterns are a must try. 


Linking up with Meadow Mist Design ... 


Hopefully you join the fun and create your own best of post (link is open until January 2nd), or at least reflect back on the year to admire some of your favorite projects!  Everyone have a safe, happy, and healthy New Year. I will see you again in 2016. 

-Patch & Chels 

August 04, 2015

Another Sew Together Bag

Lately my scrap bin has been overflowing, so I decided to make a scrappy project.  Too bad these little projects didn't make a dent! Guess I will need to make a larger project. Once I was about half way through this little set the boy decided it would be a perfect gift for his sister who also quilts. So Happy Birthday Sis. The bag was made in a scrappy manner so I could use as many of my favorite prints as possible. 






I am so happy about finally overcoming my fear of zippers because every time I make a new bag it becomes my favorite! All the contrasting colors actually play nice with one another. 



This week the boy and I are headed up to Acadia National Park in Maine.  I'm pretty excited to do some camping and hiking around the island. I will be sure to post the journey once I get back or follow Patch_the_Giraffe on Instagram! Any recommendations from those who have been?

- Patch & Chels

February 18, 2015

Mastery of Zippers



My whole life I refuse to do anything the easy way. In the case of mastering zippers the most logical approach would be to try out a simple zippered pouch with one zipper in the design. Nope, that's not my style. Instead, I take on the sew together bag that happens to include 4 zippers.  Silly me.


Armed with some motivation, I went down to sew with Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty for a good dose of knowledge. She is very methodical and takes the time to measure, pin, iron, and place everything. It was amazing how much attention she pays to details.


I found out my quilting style is more along the lines of the Tasmanian devil. I leave a wake of destruction, eyeball everything, and forget to pin most of the time. Even though our styles are drastically different, she did teach me a few things about zippers. The first attempt was iffy and slightly wonky, after that I got the hang of them. Thanks Michelle for the help!

Finally, I started to remember to move the zipper head mid-sew, as no matter how hard I tried the foot would not go around them. Lesson learned. Pretty sure I used my yearly quota for pinning in this project!


After 3 hours of sewing in one night, the bag was about 85% complete. Getting late, it was time to go home.  Looks like this bag will get finished sans zipper expert nearby. I remained hopeful.

The next night, equipped with a glass of wine, I tackle the remaining and final zipper for the bag. It goes in without any major snafus. Success. Without too much trouble the bag is complete, not perfect, but complete. This little bag is going to hold all my hand sewing items, and you will be shocked to see how much this bag holds!


Chels, 4. Zippers, 0. Looks like this goal for the year is checked off, 14 more goals to go!

-Patch & Chels