Picnic Bag

Every since I was gifted this large piece of plaid canvas, I wanted to make a picnic tote. Buried deep in my closet, I had a large scrap of InsulShine from The Warm Company so I shaped it into the largest bag shape possible and then used those measurements to make the rest of the bag.

I wanted large pockets on the outside and took the time to line up the plaid. :-)

Velcro keeps the pockets closed as well as the overall bag closed. I took the bag for a test drive earlier this week with a picnic - our takeout bag of Chick-fil-a fit nicely inside.

There was no pattern at all for the bag. It finished at 12" x 16" x 5".

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Oxbow Tote - The Mouse Version!

I love patterns from Anna from Noodle-head and was excited to give her latest pattern - the Oxbow Tote - a try. This is the smaller of the two sizes offered in the pattern.

We've got a trip plan to visit the land of the mouse so I deconstructed a canvas Mickey themed canvas tote and reconstructed my new bag! The canvas tote - which sadly I did not take a 'before' picture of - had some mysterious stains that limited how much fabric was available. The main red fabric is actually the wrong side of the canvas bag lining - the right side had all these different Mickey's but I really liked the solid better. I was happy to preserve the big Mickey as the pocket.

There is a large pocket inside. I plan to add a removable base for the bottom in red!

The canvas itself was very lightweight. I added interfacing (SF101) to the lining but not to the canvas. That turned out to be a good decision since the bag stands up just fine. I used foam interfacing with the white canvas for the base which likely contributes to this. 

To continue with my repurposing theme for the bag, the shoulder strap (not pictured) was rescued from another bag that was no longer in use.

I will definitely make this bag again in the 'good fabric'. It was a very fun make!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Bag of Many Colors

In late September, I started a project to deal with my scraps. From all my solid small scraps, I created square-in-a-square blocks and then assembled them together into 4 panels. The process of composing these panels was truly enjoyable. I used By Annie's foam batting and then quilted straight lines using red thread. As the quilting began, I was a bit concerned about my choice until the quilting lines got closer together and suddenly the texture felt just right!

The bag construction itself was made up as I went, including the pockets I added to the lining. One side has a large zippered mesh pocket, divided in half. The other side is an open pocket with a slot for pens and pencils.

There is a removable inset that brings color and some stability to the interior of the bag. I went with leather handles and I really like the look of the handle. I do wish they didn't have pre-drilled holes because sewing them on by machine would have been more secure.

This bag was my last finish for 2023!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hip Bag

I made myself a new bag! It works both as a belt bag (hip sack... fanny pack...) and holds my phone and wallet. I can also wear it as a crossbody bag.

I used the free pattern for the Fifth Avenue bag from Sallie Tomato. It comes with a youtube tutorial for the bag and I used this tutorial to remind me how to do an inset pocket.

The bag took me about 2 hours to make and I'm thinking these might make nice gifts for friends.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

New Pool Bag!

One of the ways I can earn seaglass pieces in the Summer Lovin' Seaglass SAL is with mini quilts and small projects. After spending weeks quilting my Magenta Fractal , a quick finish was called for!

Using some lightweight canvas I had in my stash, I made a bag using Noodlehead's Wide Open Pouch tutorial in the large size. I really love this bright fun print. I swim each morning in the summer and needed something to keep stuff organized in my swim bag. 

I've made dozens of bags with this tutorial in the past so this was a fun, fast finish!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My New Haralson Bag

Anna @noodlehead released a new pattern last month for a belt bag called Haralson Belt Bag. I've made other of her patterns and love each of those bags so I was ready to jump right in. It was perfect timing since I wanted a new bag for QuiltCon - it was sized perfectly to carry my wallet and phone so they were always within reach.

The pocket on the back was just perfect for my phone.

The canvas used is a Ruby Star fabric. The fabric took the looonnnngggg route through the mail and didn't actually arrive until early afternoon Tuesday, the day before I was leaving for QuiltCon.

There are some wonderful videos out there to support the making of the bag and the only struggle was installing the turn lock primarily due to not having sharp enough scissors to cut out the hole in the fabric! (Turn lock was purchased from Noodlehead.)

The lining and inside pocket use a fun print from Zen Chick. Substituting cork for the flap instead of canvas was a very easy change.

I got many complements on my bag (plus some amazement that I'd made it so quickly given the pattern was brand new). People also really liked my Range Backpack, another Noodlehead pattern. I had people ask to take a photo and others wanted to look at the bag up close. (Never before was I such a fashion 'icon'.)

During QuiltCon, I mainly wore the bag crossbody style. However, when I was volunteering, I wore it as an actual waist belt and it worked fine.

This was such a fun pattern that I am certain I will make another one someday!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My QuiltCon Sewing Bag

While I have plenty (and I mean plenty!) of zip bags, I decided I needed a new one for my QuiltCon sewing kit. Inspiration for the bag came from several places including the Sew Together Bag (see my version)  and the Zip-Up Tray Pouch (see my version). (I do not know why I took the photo at this angle but I'm going with it!)

This was very much a design and modify and I went kind of project. I sized it too big at first and then trimmed it down. I used scraps from my Loves Me, Loves Me Not quilt putting all the odd bits to good use.

I'm signed up for one class on Friday morning - Jogakbo with Ssamsol Technique with Youngmin Lee. I am bringing along a selection of quilting cotton and some threads and am really looking forward to learning a new handwork technique.

Atlanta here I come! Will you be there?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

My Newest Sandhill Sling

This is my second time making the Sandhill Sling by Noodlehead.  The pattern is well written and construction was fun!  (See my first bag.)

The fabric used came from Spoonflower - it was leftover from the Range Backpack (also a Noodlehead pattern) that I made for the trip to QuiltCon I ended up not taking!  (I'll use it in Atlanta though!)

For the inside, I used a Carolyn Friedlander print from my stash.

I made this bag for our annual beach vacation.   The color will work well as my fall bag too.

The Sandhill Sling is a very useful size - I love my new bag and can see myself making this pattern again! 

Have a wonderful day! Patty