Wednesday, September 30, 2020

End of September One Monthly Goal

 

One Monthly Goal.

Hi.  As you saw in this months' Island Batik Ambassador blog hop, I did finish the ByAnnie.com Round Trip Duffle.  Although I had challenges in sewing it, because of so many layers, I did enjoy making it.  



So, goal 1 done. 

I also got the 12 blocks of Spellbound done, and will be doing sashing and cornerstones this weekend.  I'm hoping to have it ready to quilt by Monday. 

That selvage piece at the bottom is just so cute!  All of the designs have little witch hats in the colors used for that fabric.  Island Batik doesn't have selvege marks, and it's not often I use something not batik.  But I won this kit and finally want to see it done.  

I also got Lucky Charm and Seaside quilted, but it's on a large piece of backing, and I have more to quilt before I can get it off and show you.  I hope those are done, soon.  Are you doing Journey to Nebula?  Jaybird Quilts (Julie Herman) is using her rulers and teaching tricks every week, using these patterns to build up to the Tula Pink Nebula quilt that starts in January.  

Keeping this short since I'm out of time.  
Thanks for visiting.  I did meet the main goal.  Did you?

Linking up with Elm Street Quilts

Maryellen





Wednesday, September 23, 2020

It's In the Bag Blog Hop with Island Batik and ByAnnie.com



I do hope you've been hopping along with us.  There have been so many gorgeous projects and chances to win fabric.  Welcome to my day on the hop, featuring Sunset Plumes designed by Kathy Engle.  When we were offered a choice for bags, I went BIG!  I had already thought about doing a ByAnnie bag, and had purchased Got Your Back pattern. and started a backpack.  I thought it would be fun to do another challenging bag, and Round Trip Duffle was my choice.   Annie provided all the hardware, strapping, and wonderful Soft and Stable for the bag, as well as the plastic base and zippers.  I was so excited to see which fabrics from the collection she chose for my bag.  We received this amazing bundle in the July Ambassador box.  Many of the patterns have a series of videos available, for free if you purchase the pattern.  The videos help with many of the steps involved in making ByAnnie bags, and will be very helpful as you read the directions.  
My first step was to watch the videos and familiarize myself with the pattern and steps.  I loaded the green swirl/leaf fabric and the pink feather square fabric, along with Soft and Stable on Vanna, my Handiquilter Amara, and picked a dark green Aurifil 40wt thread to quilt the layers.  When choosing a quilting design for the Prostitcher, I looked at a few, but the Climbing Ivy Edge to Edge by My Creative stitches seemed like the best choice.  The green fabric, the face of the bag, has swirls and leaves.  While that was being quilted, I took Sally Manke's advice and copied the back label page of the pattern onto shipping label paper that I use for my Etsy shop. It made fast work of labeling the pieces that I cut.  I could just stick the label on the fabric, and not worry about pins.  I pinned a few "two" of the same together.  Excellent idea, Sally!  Bags by Annie have lots of great features, but that also means lots of pieces and parts.  But reading the pattern and watching the videos makes it so easy.  


You can see the strap and the Fan accent for the pockets, with the edges of pockets bound in the burgundy color to match the straps. 
After cutting the pieces, I would a bobbin for the 2 colors I was planning to use, both Aurifil 40wt threads.  I have purchased a number of spools of 40wt because I like it for my embroidery machine as well as garment and bags.  It's a little thicker and sturdier for things that get more use.  I loaded a Schmetz Embroidery 14 needle, as well.  First you sew all the components and then assemble, and finish with binding and zipper pulls.  I've made many bags, and finishing the inside with binding was new to me.  But it makes sense, and leaves a nice finish in the bag, plus adds to the stability of the shape.  

You will need to take it slow, and use a walking foot, Jeans or Topstitch needle and single hole plate, if you have it.  At some points, there's over 19 layers in this bag, and I was having issues until I remembered using the single needle plate and walking foot on my Janome Horizon 9450.  My old machine didn't like sewing the layers, which is why the backpack was only finished this month. I had forgotten, but others were discussing the challenges on the Ambassador private Facebook page, and that jogged my memory.  But persistence and patience are good skills. And the results are worth it.
Progress.
Sewing in the main zipper. I used my serger to overcast the raw edges, as well as the directions Annie shares to use the edge of the zipper to cover the raw edge.
This was a frustration point, but remembering to use the walking foot and single needle plate made the next photo possible. 

Sewing the side pieces on, and you can see the lining and quilting design.
Adding the binding to finish the interior.  Almost done!  Yes you'll need to do some smushing and manipulation to make it work, but you can do it! 

I now have a very pretty and classy duffle bag, that will hold enough stuff for a weekend away. 

Outside zipper pocket, and slip pocket, and padded shoulder strap. 


Inside there's 3 slip pockets and a zippered full size mesh pocket (Annie had provided orange mesh, but I had pink and thought it looked better, so used my purchased By Annie mesh, which is really fun to sew.)
The hard plastic base is in the fabric sleeve at the bottom.  It's removable, so you can wash the bag, or store it folded. 

Back side has a slip pocket and a trolley sleeve to go over the handle of your wheeled luggage.  
I was so happy to get the antique brass hardware, and thought it was the perfect choice for these fabrics.  Great side pockets, too.  Perfect for smaller items and tickets. 
Ready to go on my next adventure!
12”H x 19½"W x 7½"D is the finished size, and it's plenty big enough to hold a weekend's worth of clothes and toiletries, as well as book or tablet, and more.  

Perfect for a train trip to the city. Or a weekend get-away by car or plane!  

Thanks for reading.  I'll be giving a few FQ pieces of some of the newer collections to someone who comments.  Please tell me if you have or will be making a ByAnnie bag of any type.  I plan to make a few more, including something to coordinate with this bag for toiletries.  

Also, please check out the other Ambassadors and their bags, and stop by the Island Batik blog for more info.  They're giving away a gorgeous bundle to 2 lucky people using the Rafflecopter post below.  There's another give-away for next week, too!  Make sure you follow Island Batik's blog for the reminder to enter.

Today Denise Looney shares her bag with Sunset Plumes as well.  

Monday, September 7, 2020

September OMG Monthly Goal



This needs to be quick!  I have a lot to do, but forgot to write the post and it ends in an hour!! lol
First, I want to finish the Island Batik Ambassador and Patterns by Annie challenge, the Round Trip Duffle
The Island Batik Ambassadors were provided everything we need to make the bag or project.  I have fabric from the new Sunset Plumes collection available in stores soon, and the hardware, Soft and Stable and other supplies from byannie.com.  My blog hop date is September 23, so I know it will be done by then.  
I got the fabric for the top and lining quilted last week.  

Next step is zippers.  I need to change the foot and thread, and will change the needle, too. 

I'm also working on the #Journey2Nebula projects.  This month should see 2 projects done.  I have the Seaside runner cut out, but it's on hold until I get more of the duffle done.

I also want to finish the Studio 180 challenge from last month, and start a Halloween quilt kit that I won a few years ago.  There's more, but that's all I can do for now.  
Still have to decide on borders. 

What are you working on?  Do you have any you want to finish and challenge yourself to do?  Do it! 
Also, please share any projects you're doing with me on Instagram.  Use the hashtag #SewSomethingSeptember and I'll cheer you on.  Try to sew at least 15 minutes every day, and you'll see progress, and I'll cheer.  

Have a great week!  The Island Batik In the Bag hop starts Tuesday.  Remember to enter on Island Batik's post to win the weekly fabric give-aways.