Quilted Weekender Bag #2

Well it only took me one year to forget the woes of making my very first weekender bag! 

Last week I braved the infamous pattern for the second time to make a birthday gift for my mom in law... The second time went so much smoother! I think just knowing that I had made it before made it less overwhelming, plus I had another year of sewing experience under my belt- which makes a huge difference when you have only been sewing 2 1/2 years! ;)

I opted to only do quilt as you go patchwork panels for the pocket panels of the bag which took considerably less time than the first time I made it with all the panels being patchwork. I did however quilt both main and zipper panels to give it a uniformly quilted look. For everything else, I made it just like my last weekender bag- you can check out this post for all of the details on the changes I made to the pattern!

I tried really hard to pick out fabrics that reminded me of my mom in law and I feel like the overall effect of the bag really fits her personality perfectly. I love the way it turned out! The fabric that I used for the main panel (Alexander Henry Sew Now!) is just busy enough to make everything tie together in a crazy combination of colors that compliments the patchwork just right. That ruler on the zipper panel is just darling- don't ya think?! I love it!

Most importantly, my mom in law really loved it- which made all of the work that went into it totally worth it! She used it as her carry-on for the flight home after her visit out to see us. (I use mine as a carry-on every time I fly and it is just the right size for all of the stuff I need to entertain my kiddos on the flight!)

So since the 2nd one went so smooth- third times a charm right?! I started another today! Head over to my instagram to check out the darling fabric I am using on this one!! 

Happy Sewing!

xoxo, Ashley

Art Student Tote

 I have had the Anna Maria Horner Art Student Tote pattern for over a year now and finally got around to make it last week. 

My sister was having a birthday and I had been wanting to make her a bag for a few months now so it was the perfect time to try out the pattern. I loved it! It was really straightforward and nothing too complicated. 

I dug into my stash and used one of my all-time favorite prints: Hello Luscious Blissful in Fashionista and paired it with another great print from my stash for the straps: Sophie Blue Fiesta Petal. I also used some fabric from my stash for the interior: Strawberry Fields Summer Picnic in Vanilla. I love the combination of fabrics... They really remind me of my sister so it was perfect for her bag!

This bag is massive! I made version A which is the middle size of the three options available in the pattern. I love that the sides can cinch in when the bag isn't super full but be let out when it needs to be filled to the brim. 

When I came across this pattern a couple years ago I totally fell in love with Stephanie's version and knew that my bag needed some fancy zipper pulls too. I got a cheap pair of earrings from Hobby Lobby and worked them over a bit to get them to work as zipper pulls.

I love the back of the bag almost as much as the front. So if you wanted to make an easier version of the bag I feel like you could totally leave off the front pockets and it would be just as cute. There is plenty of pockets on the interior that it could totally work without the front pockets... but then again, those zippers are pretty darn cute! Anna Maria Horner knows what she is doing! ;)

I spent about an hour one evening cutting out the pattern pieces and then the next day I spent about 12 hours on the bag... ironing all of the interfacing and fusible fleece took FOREVER! So if you were using thicker fabric and didn't need to add all the interfacing and fusible fleece it wouldn't take nearly as long... Like I said, the pattern was very well written and pretty straight forward. I did make a few slight alterations to mine...

1. This is actually something I wish I would have done.... All of the pattern pieces are rectangle, so I wish I would have noticed that before I actually started cutting out my pattern page- I wish I would have just measured the pieces and then cut them to be exact with a rotary cutter. I ended up having to square up my pieces after using the pattern and free handing with scissors- so it would have saved a lot of time if I had just done it all with my rotary cutter. 

2. I used fabric from my stash so I don't know exactly how much fabric I used, but I do know that I used less than the pattern called for. Especially for the straps... so if you do use a rotary cutter to cut your pieces out, you could probably get away with using less fabric.

3. I used quilting cotton for the entire bag so I used a light interfacing on everything (including the interior and interior pockets) and then used fusible fleece on all of the outer parts of the bag including the handles. (I did not use the fleece on the outer pockets or side straps however and the light interfacing seemed to be plenty for those.)

4. I used 2 layers of fusible Peltex in the bottom of my bag. I was definitely glad I did that... it helped the bottom of the bag to keeps it's shape. (I believe the pattern just calls for heavy interfacing.)

5. I made the zippers on the outer pockets go in opposite directions instead of the same direction and I think it adds a bit more interest to the zippers... Especially with the zipper pulls on them.

I really love the way the bag turned out... It was kinda hard parting with it! ha ha! But my little sis totally loved it so that made things easier! ;)

Happy Sewing!!

xoxo, Ashley

Love, Patchwork and Quilting Magazine

If you are a regular reader of my blog you may remember back a few months when I talked about a really fun new magazine from the UK that I had the opportunity of being featured in... Love, Patchwork and Quilting (they've kinda flipped the name around since the first issue).

The magazine is made by Mollie Makes (another really darling magazine) and each issue has been full of awesome projects, fabrics, ideas, and pretty pictures to drool over. I love it! Since both issues of the magazine have been so successful they have decided to make it a monthly subscription! Yay!

Love Patchwork & Quilting is for anyone who loves modern quilting, whether you’re already an avid fan or someone who wants to learn. Sharing your passion for fabric, we show you how to transform material into the most gorgeous handmade items! With every issue you’ll receive a FREE gift to spark your creativity before you even look inside! 

The first issue of Love, Patchwork and quilting goes on sale October 16th, but you can pre-order your copy now. For US subscribers it ends up being about $8 per magazine (which isn't bad since I bought my 1st copy at B&N for $11.99 and had to look in every store around town before I could find a copy) but there is a special going for US subscribers to get 3 issues for $10!! Here is the link.) If you subscribe by September 27th, your subscription will start with issue 1.

I am so excited to receive the new issue! I am always so inspired when I read the magazine. Remember the Marcelle Medallion that was on the cover of the issue I was featured in... Sparked an instagram quilt along! So much fun!

Be sure to stop by Love, Patchwork and Quiltings facebook page and follow along so you can keep up with the happenings and giveaways that are going on now!

Briar Rose Baby Quilt with KNIT Backing + Matching Doll Quilt for Big Sis

One of the things I love most about working with fabric is all of the endless colors, patterns, and possibilities. Since I only started sewing a couple years ago I am definitely new to the designer fabric world. There have been a few times that I have come across fabric lines that were printed and sold a few year ago before I even knew they existed that I have been so bummed I missed out on! (Mainly the Good Folks line by AMH- but... luckily I have gotten my hands 9 of the prints from that collection that were still lying around a quilt shop off the beaten path).

One of the fabric designers that I have fallen in love with is Heather Ross... I love all of her past fabric lines that are oh so cute and sadly out of print and not available to me now. So when I saw she had a new line coming out, and printed on quilting cottons no less, I pre-ordered a fat quarter bundle and felt so happy to finally be in on the Heather Ross action! 

As you can see... this line is so bright and happy! I love it. The darling strawberries are my favorite! (These knit leggings I made my daughter are so darling that I may or may not have contemplated making some for myself... ;)

When I cut into my bundle of Briar Rose to make a baby quilt for my friends baby on the way, I was tossing up ideas for what I wanted to back the quilt with. I have mixed feelings on quilts for tiny babies. I really love blankets that will swaddle and snuggle my babies and quilts can be kinda stiff until you really work them in and soften them up a bit. (I have always used my girl's baby quilts as more of a play mat than a "blanket".)

While in the midst of contemplating quilt backing, this gorgeous Briar Rose knit showed up on my doorstep from The Fabric Fairy... Lightbulb moment! 

My very favorite baby blankets that I have used on both of my babies have been blankets made with knit fabric. So I thought... "I wonder if it would work to use this knit as backing for this baby quilt?" 

 IT WORKED! I am so happy with the result. The drape on the quilt is perfect. Not stiff at all and totally ready to swaddle a brand new baby! I did straight vertical lines about 3 1/2 inches apart to quilt it. It is very minimal, but since I was going for a "not stiff" quilt it worked great. It has such a great feel to it. 

I went totally overboard when basting my quilt and used TONS of pins to make sure that this knit wouldn't shift or bunch up while I quilted... It paid off! So if you do use knit as your backing be sure to pre wash your knit fabric, pin like crazy when basting, and use a walking foot while quilting to insure that you have a good experience like I did! :)

One thing that I have tried to do when gifting quilts to my friends, is make a matching quilt with the scraps for big sis or big brother to use for their doll or stuffed animal. My friend has a daughter that is becoming a big sis for the first time so I knew that a mini quilt for her doll would be perfect. Now she can take care of "her baby" just like mommy takes care of the new baby.

It turned into a wonky quilt unintentionally... I forgot to use my walking foot when I started quilting it and once I realized my mistake- it was too late to do anything about the shifting without picking out all of the stitches I had done... But I figure our little friend probably wouldn't mind a little wonkiness! ;)

I backed it in the PERFECT quilt backing for a little princess... Fair Maidens...The colors matched perfectly and I love how the frogs in briar rose mixed with the princesses kissing the frogs on the back made for a "Princess and the Frog" dolly quilt. 

Perfect baby gift for mommy and big sis!

Happy Sewing! xoxo, Ashley

Strawberry Sunki Leggings

I was so excited when Meg over at the Fabric Fairy offered to sent me some Briar Rose knit to try out. These strawberries are serious darling! I knew right away what I wanted to make with them... Everyone needs the perfect pair of strawberry leggings, right? ;)

(polka dot chambray tunic from carters) 

I used a pattern to make the leggings that I had on hand... they are the leggings that accompany the Sunki Dress. 

My daughter is 4 years old so I made the 4/5 size. I was hoping to do the version of leggings that were gathered on the sides of the bottom of the pants that are featured in the pattern, but once the leggings were put together and I tried them on my daughter I realized that they were on the verge of being too short already so there was no way the gathered bottom was going to work and not be an awkward length. (next time I will do a combo with the length of the 6/7 but stick with the 4/5 width.)

I loved working with this jersey knit. It is just darling and there are so many projects you could make with it. Heather Ross offers a free pattern to make leggings- I just used the sunki leggings since I had the pattern already printed out. 

I have one other project that I am working on with the knit Fabric Fairy sent me... I am super excited with how it is turning out! I can't wait to share it with you!

My Sad Serger Saga

I am not usually one for posting stories without a project involved, but I had quite the serger escapade today and just for my sanity and venting I thought I would share! 

About 2 years ago I decided that I needed a serger. I was making clothes for my kiddos and myself and zig zagging my seam allowances just wasn't looking as professional as I dreamed my garments could look.

So I went on the search for the perfect serger for me... Affordable and easy to use.

I decided on the Brother 1034d. 

I mentioned to my husband that I would like a serger. Being the supportive hubby that he always is, he said he was on board- BUT, I had to wait until my birthday... 6 months away.

I was kinda feeling melancholy about it. I was excited that he was ok with me putting more money into my hobby, but kinda bummed that I had to wait. If you know me, you know that when I come up with an idea I usually act on it within hours. That is how most of my sewing projects occur. I think it up and run to my sewing shelf and grab some fabric and get to working. So with about 20 projects in mind, that needed a serger mind you, I felt kinda defeated. (ok...ok... I know I am sounding like a spoiled brat at this point, but I am just being totally honest with this story....)

Ok... fast forward 6 months. The long awaited time had come. Except... I spent my birthday in Utah at my little brothers funeral. My serger sat on my front porch, left by the UPS man. Thoughts of sergers were no where in my mind at that point. 

When I came home from the funeral, my cute hubby presented the serger to me- excited to see my reaction. I tried to act excited and be graceous about it but life (and everything I had just gone through) was feeling overwhelming and the thought of trying to be adventurous and brave to learn something new was just too much for me. The next day while my hubby was at school, I shoved it in the closet and shut the door without a second glance.

The sad little serger stayed in the closet untouched and unopened for a year and a half. I thought of it often but it was like it was a monster in the closet that I tried to avoid. For some reason I couldn't bring myself to get it out and figure out how to work the stupid thing. 

This last year and a half since my brother's suicide have been interesting. I have learned a lot about myself and how I really can do hard things with the Lord's help, but at the exact same time it has changed me so much that I look in the mirror and feel like the "old me" is long gone and things will never be the same. 

So I think the serger just kinda represented the past and happier times in my life. I have been too busy dwelling on what used to be that I couldn't focus on what was now and here and move forward.

Today I woke up and decided I needed to change something. I opened the closet door and dug out the serger determined to figure it out. 

I opened the box.. all the while, my two little cuties were fascinated, trying to figure out what had been in the closet all this time.

 There it was... Scaring the crap out of me!

Like I said... I think it represented more than just a serger to me...

But I put it up on the kitchen table and opened the instructions. I found an awesome video on YouTube that made threading my machine a breeze. I took a few practice runs on some scraps of fabric to get my tension right and to make sure I had threaded it correctly and then I felt good enough to try it out on the project I was working on. 

First seam... Perfect... What in the world was everyone talking about? This serger thing was a lot easier than I had expected. I was conquering the "Serger Monster" from my closet!

And then.... my confidence got the best of me.... I was serging along... picking up speed... and then all heck broke loose...

I had been using some straight pins.
Now- I know anyone that has used a serger is totally cringing right now- because when you sew with a serger you can't sew over pins like you can get away with when you use a regular machine. A serger has a cutting blade that trims your fabric as you go and pins are not allowed through the blades! 

Now, I am not a total dimwit! I was being a responsible "sergist" (totally making that word up) and I was just using my pins to slightly control the knit fabric I was working with, but I was taking the pins out with plenty of time before the fabric entered the cutter... the pins were just my security blanket to make sure I lining up my seams as it went through.

But- as I have learned today... You CANNOT do two things at once while using a serger... I was looking at my freshly finished seam to make sure the tension was still looking good and "CRACK"... next thing I know, the upper blade of the serger is flying straight up in the air just as I look down to see that I had missed a pin. 

I could not believe it! I was so mad at myself! Seriously... busting my serger within 10 minutes of using it!?! What the heck? Why couldn't the stupid pin have just broken in half? Was this a bad omen on my serger? 

Feeling defeated and pretty dumb, I called around to some local repair shops and tried to find the replacement blade- totally hoping (with my "I need to finish this project now" mentality) that I could zip across town and find a part to fix it! But to no avail! I headed online and ordered the replacement part... $24 smackaroos this little incident cost me and my machine will be on bed rest for at least a week (depending on how long that part takes to get here).

Moral to the story and lessons learned:

1. Don't use pins ever again when using my serger!

2. Stay humble. Just when you think you have it all figured out... you go busting your upper blade on your serger and see that you have no idea what in the heck you are doing!

3. Sometimes ya hit a road bump and it knocks ya outta whack, but that doesn't mean you can't dust yourself off and keep truckin' along.

4. Be patient.

Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better.... well kinda. ;)

Stay tuned for the continuing Serger Saga... 

Happy Weekend!  

Fort Firefly Patchwork Quilt

When Fabricworm offered to send me a fat quarter bundle of Fort Firefly before it was released, let's just say I was pretty darn excited! If you read my last post, you probably gathered that I have a huge fabric crush on the entire line!

I took about 2 days before I dared cut into it. 

Do you get nervous cutting into really pretty fabric?? I am always worried about being totally sure that I know what I am doing before cutting into something special. Plus- with this fabric, I was so torn on what sort of quilt to make because I didn't want to cut up the prints too much because I love them in their entirety! I was debating on a small Swoon quilt, On a Whim, and even thought about using my Victory Garden quilt pattern, but in the end  I finally decided that I had better do a large 8 inch square patchwork so that the prints weren't all sliced and diced up.

 I did 7 x 9 quilt blocks and the quilt ended up being 52.5 x 67.5 inches so it is not too big, but not too small- the perfect size quilt that will fit my daughter for a long time. 

From the fat quarter bundle of 13 prints, I was able to get 4 blocks of each print cut out and still have a large scrap of each fabric left over to make a smaller project (yay!). In edition to the 52 blocks of the Fort Firefly, I threw in a handful of printed linen and a couple other coordinating fabrics that I had lying around to make the quilt a bit larger. I really love the look and texture that the printed linen gave to the quilt! It was a perfect pairing for the prints. (I got my linen here.)

I also bound the quilt in linen as well. I have never done that before and it was kinda a love hate relationship as I was hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. The linen was just bulky enough that my fingers and hands were pretty sore once I was finished- but I really love the way it turned out! It definitely added to the "woodlandy" feel of the quilt. 

As for quilting, I did something I had never done before. I am always pretty basic in my quilting because I don't know how to fmq (free motion quilt) yet- well let's rephrase that... it simply just freaks me out! I really need to try it sometime because I would love to be able to do it! Anyways... I wanted to figure out a way to "cheat" and make it look like my quilt was sort of free motion quilted, so I looked at the stitches on my machine and found this one....

A wavy stitch! I did a little practice run on a scrap of fabric to make sure it was going to look ok and went for it! I bumped my stitch length as high as my machine would let me (which wasn't very high 2.5) and got to stitching. I just used a seam in the middle of my quilt for a reference and then after that first line of stitches worked my way out to the edge of the quilt by stitching rows of vertical wavy lines next to each other until the quilt was all filled up. I used my walking foot and I lined up the edge of my walking foot to the outermost wave of the line next to it and repeated until it was all quilted. I loved quilting it because there was seriously no way to mess up the design as long as I went in a straight line! Perfect for the way I normally quilt things- straight lines!

 I used some fabric I had on hand for the back of the quilt. (Riley Blake Verona Rouge Stripe)

I would have really loved to back it in this darling print:

but when I got the bundle from Fabricworm, extra yardage was not available yet.

BUT- There is super good news for anyone that has a huge crush on this fabric like I do though....I just got an email notice that I signed up for that

IT'S AVAILABLE NOW!

I know this darling collection is going to go fast so be sure to head over to Fabricworm and snag some of it before it is all gone! You will not be disappointed! :)

Happy sewing!! 

xoxo, Ashley