Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Carry Me Bag


I made another bag! This one was a lot of fun and would be a great tote for taking to classes. It's 18" long so you can fit some rulers in there and it's nice and sturdy!
All you need is the Carry Me Bag pattern by Bunny Hill Designs, a Patisserie Honey Bun and some basic bag construction supplies. You know interfacing, Timtex, and a few pretty embellishments.
One Moda Honey Bun will make 3 of these bags, so make one for yourself and a couple of friends.
The first step is to lay out the strips in an order that you like for the outside of the bag.
Be careful when pressing your seams it's really easy to get tucks on these narrow strips!
Constructing the outside of the bag can get a little tricky on the corners, but it's okay. Just use a lot of pins and you will end up with a fabulous curved seam! The Glass Head Silk Pins are my favorite! Joan recommended them to me and now I don't know how I ever lived without them.

Make your lining and pockets. You can choose how many pockets you want on each side. I made two pockets on one side and three on the other.

The next part can get a little tricky working with Timtex in the bag construction. So you might want to call in an assistant.
Unfortunately, I became very involved in this part of constructing the bag and forgot to take photos and my assistant turned out to not be very helpful with photography.
Just remember when working with Timtex you are the boss. You are in charge of the Timtex. Don't be afraid to bend it if you need to when sewing pieces together. It's will flatten back into shape and when you are done you will have a super sturdy bag that you will love!

Next add your binding making sure to keep your button loop and handles out of the way while you are sewing.


Sew ribbons on the sides of the bag and tie into a pretty bow.
All done! Load it up with supplies and off to class you go! :)
I used the Patisserie Honey Bun for this bag, but I think the Aviary Honey Bun would also make a really beautiful bag. I've got my rulers, rotary cutter, scissors, Best Press, pattern and a Layer Cake in there and room to spare. I Love it!

p.s. If you were at the 2009 Quilter's Paradise Retreat you may have gotten a sample Honey Bun in your goodie bag that is enough to make one of these bags. You will need to just add a few extra inches to your lining yardage requirement for handles and binding.
Happy Sewing!
Tracy
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Monday, August 17, 2009

Charms, Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes...Oh my!


I love when the UPS guy visits the shop. It's like Christmas morning opening those boxes and seeing what goodies Sandy has been ordering for us. Just look at all of these Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes and Charm Packs! Oh, my wheels are just spinning with ideas of what to make with these new collections. A Thanksgiving table runner using the Pumpkin Spice Jelly Roll and the Diamond Medley Pattern and a Charming Tote would be pretty with the Pumpkin Spice Charm Pack! I must be in the mood for Fall.

How about a Jelly Braid quilt using the Millhouse Inn Jelly Roll or the Pashmina Jelly Roll. There are so many options! Now, if we could just get the UPS man to bring us more hours in the day!

Check out our collection of Jelly Roll and Charm Pack patterns and see what fabulous ideas you can find to create with all of our new Pe-cut fabrics.
Happy Sewing!
Tracy
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Women's Voices


I’m working on our shop sample for the Women’s Voices Block of the Month program. I’ve finished the first block and I want to share it here with you. Just a little sneak peek. When the first block ships in November I will post photos that I took in various stages during the block construction and share any tips that I discovered right here on the QBTB blog. It will be our Block Blog support! So, come on by the shop or click on over to the online shop and sign up for the Women’s Voices Block of the Month program, then be sure and check back each month when you receive your block and follow along for tips and photos here on the QBTB blog.
Tracy
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Magical Elves



Santa is coming to town and he is bringing elves that can seam rip and press fabric! I had no idea such elves existed. But what a great time saver! Imagine how much more sewing you can accomplish if you don’t have to stop to press or un-stitch your projects. Just call on an elf!

Quilting by the Bay has a great weekend planned for you October 23-25. It’s Santa’s Workshop Retreat. There will be goodie bags, demos, shopping, food, sewing machines whirring away and of course those magical elves! Who knew???

Where can I sign up? I can’t wait to see what these elves can do.

Oh, wait…Sandy just informed me that I should warm up my iron and get out my seam ripper. Hmmm…so much for the magic.

Hope to see you there!
Tracy
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