IPad Bag

Today I made a bag for my new IPad (my birthday present).

I have been working on the crazy quilted flap for the past few days.

Stitching, buttons, beads, charms, ribbon etc. I started crazy quilting when I was young, and it is still one of my favourites!
I recently started using thicker threads (Edmar "Lola" is my favourite, but also Kreinik #8 braid and Trebizond silk) and now I think I need to get bigger beads (a trip to the bead store maybe...), these ones are size 15 and I think they look too small compared to the thread. I started using thicker threads when I started crazy quilting with Bali fabrics - I just think they go better together.

More Details -

I used a magnetic clasp for the closure. These are so simple to add, and make closing a bag very easy.

They come with a metal backing that you use to mark the position of the slits that need to be cut in the fabric (I just use a stitch ripper to make the little slits), and then the prongs from the magnetic fronts are folded over the metal backing. I usually make sure that I have some extra interfacing or fabric where I place the closures.
The first time I used a magnetic clasp I made little buttonholes instead of just cutting slits, but I find no difference in the stability and just cutting the slits is so much easier.

I used diaper flannel for the "batting" and a heavy/stiff fusible interfacing for the "backing" for the "bag" portion, and quilted it with a 30WT variegated thread (Sulky).

The flap has a layer of heavy interfacing and a layer of woven, light interfacing, no quilting.

 I made a long handle,

and used a 1" ribbon inside for stability (this is a ribbon from a fat quarter bundle). I just stitched the ends together after sewing the seam down the handle, and turned the whole thing right side out.

I added some decorative stitching down the handle to hold all the layers together.
I tried a new way of making the handle adjustable, using old brass rings that I found in my first house - I think they are from curtains. The buttons are decorative and they hold the extra part of the handle.

The tassel hangs from an agate ring that my SIL gave me.
The bag is hanging from a hall mirror that my Dad made for me over 20 years ago.

The bag is 9" x 11" and fits the IPad wonderfully. I made a couple of pockets inside to hold the IPad and other "purse stuff".

These are a couple of my favourite reference books for crazy quilting - Judith Baker Montano's "Elegant Stitches" and "A~Z of Bullions" from the A~Z Series.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!♥

Making Bags

Today my mother and sister came over to make bags.

My mother free motion quilting.

My sister working. This is the first bag she has made and the first time she is making something with free motion quilting!
They both worked hard all day and made beautiful bags!


The basic bag pattern is "Clematis" by Laundry Basket Quilts, they just did their own embellishments (still had to add some buttons). I made the Clematis bag in January.

Have a great day! ♥

♥Happy Valentines Day♥

Anniversary Flowers

Crazy Quilt Bag

The draw date for my first give away has finally arrived.


There were 26 entries. Thanks to everyone who entered, and all the words of love.


My husband picked and the winner is Dianne!! I hope you enjoy the bag!
Dianne is actually a friend and I am so thrilled she won. Although I know I would have been thrilled with whoever won! Thanks again to every one who participated! ♥
Having a give away has been a lot of fun. I will definitely do it again!

Have a loving day!!♥

Tote Bag Tutorial

This tote bag is 15" wide and 15.5" deep with a slightly ruffled top edge. It has a zippered pocket inside for security.



I used 7 fat quarters to make this bag (3 were whole the rest were not quite complete) As few as 4 fat quarter could be used. Any fabric combination could be used. I also used ~1 yard of diaper flannel (could be thin batting, I like diaper flannel for bags), ~30" piece of fabric for the lining and the pocket, ~2 yards of lightweight woven fusible interfacing (the interfacing I used is only 19" wide - you will need less if it is wider) and a 7" zipper. I used 1/4" seam allowances. I used sulky variegated thread for top stitching and quilting.

Bag
The bag starts with a rectangle of fabric - 36"x16.5".
It can be any combination or pattern you would like, or one or two beautiful pieces of fabric.


I pieced the top section with 8 - 2.5"x20" strips - I used two strips from 4 different FQ's. I then cut it in half and evened the edges to make 2 rectangles - 9.5"x16.5". I pieced the two rectangles with a rectangle - 17"x16.5" . This resulted in a rectangle - 36"x16.5".



My middle fabric was non-directional. If yours is directional, you will need to add 1/2" to the size of the rectangle, cut it in half and sew it back together so that the fabric will look nice on the finished bag.
Layer a piece of interfacing - fusible side up - ~37"x18" - on your work surface. Place a piece of diaper flannel - 31"x18" -on top of interfacing. Lay the pieced fabric on top, centered with 2.25" on both ends larger than the flannel.

Pin and machine quilt as desired. Trim and iron.

The 2.25" section at the top without flannel will be folded at the top of the bag, this will make it less bulky. It is still quilted in that section.
Fold the bag, right sides together. Make a 1.5" pleat at the bottom.

Sew along the sides, leaving a 1/2" opening on each side, 4" from the top edge.

This will form the openings for the ties.

Lining
You will need a rectangle of fabric - 28"x16.5", and another piece - 18"x10" - for the pocket. Iron a piece of fusible interfacing on both pieces of fabric. On the back of the pocket, mark a rectangle, 7.5"x3/8" , 1" from the top of the short side.

Center, right sides together, on the lining, 1" from the top of the lining.

Sew around the marked lines.

Cut a slit down the center and in a "V" at the ends.

Turn inside out, baste and iron.


Pin the zipper on the inside, centered in the opening and stitch around.


Fold the pocket in half and stitch around.

Pocket is complete!

Fold the lining in half and stitch the sides, leaving a 3" opening along one side.

Fold the corners of the lining as shown and mark a line 1.5" from point. Sew and trim.


Straps
Two 3.25"x27" strips of fabric. I cut 3 - 3.25" pieces from a FQ, and pieced one and a half sections for each strap. You will also need two 1.25" strips of flannel, 27" long. Iron a 1/4" along the long edges of each straps.

Wrap the fabric around the strips of flannel.


Stitch along the folded edge of the straps. I always add a few rows of stitching down straps, either decorative, wavy or plain.


Ties
Two 3"x30" strips of fabric needed for the ties. With FQ's I cut three 3"x20" strips and cut one in half and pieced them. Sew them right sides together, tapered at the ends, leave a 2" opening in the middle to turn them. Turn and press. No need to stitch the opening, it won't be seen.


Assembly
Place the handles 3.75" from the outside edges of the bag, extending the handles 1/2" past the edge of the bag. Sew in place.

Turn bag inside out, place lining inside the bag, right sides together. Match side seams, pin, and sew. I used the walking foot. The lining is shorter than the bag.


Carefully turn bag right sides out through the opening in the lining. Fold the 2" top of the bag to the inside. Baste, making sure that all the seam allowances and the ends of the handles are towards the bottom of the bag (reach inside the bag through the opening in the lining). When the channel is stitched, where the handles are will be reinforced, that is why I extended the handles by 1/2". Stitch the opening in the lining closed.

Top stitch (with a walking foot) two rows, ~2" from the top of the bag and 1/2" apart, to form a channel around the bag. Making sure that you stitch on either side of the 1/2" openings that are on the sides of the bag.

Carefully thread the ties through the channel. Knot the ends.

Hopefully this tutorial makes sense. It is my first attempt at a tutorial. If you have any questions please email me. If you make a bag, please email me a picture, I would be thrilled to see it!

Tote Bag Finished

I finally finished my leftover fat quarters tote bag. I am really pleased with how it turned out.



Since January is coming to an end, I will have 5 OPAM finished to report. I didn't know if I would be able to have even 1!
OPAM has been a great motivator for me (not to mention the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and to see what they are up to)! Hopefully OPAM will keep me motivated for the whole year. Thanks to Peg and Kris for hosting it!
Have a great day!

So Many Contests

All the pieces for my tote bag are cut and ready to go. I am working on the inside pocket with a zipper.



I spent a bit of time today checking out all the contests that are going on out there. SO MANY!
Here are a few that I need to mention.
The Vintage Pearl is having a give away of a beautiful new necklace. Erin is such a talent artist and her stuff is amazing. Check out her website! I have already hinted to my DH that a necklace with our children's names would be great for Mother's Day!
At the Polka Dot Chair there is another give away for a gift certificate for the Vintage Pearl!
Yellow Rose Arbor is having a Disney themed give away for her 4th anniversary.
Barb at Bella Vista is having a Rooster themed give away for her first year of blogging.
Over at They Call Me Jammi there is another rooster themed give away! She is also celebrating her 1st Blogaversary.
Joan over at Americana By Candlelight is having her first give away of some beautiful bird plates, all ready for spring!
Good Luck everyone!
I am off to enter a few more!