X-Bag

My boss saw an X-bag on display at the LQS and wanted to buy it, but it was just for display to sell the pattern. I've been wanting to make something for Cindy for a while now, but I couldn't figure out just what to make. After she said she liked that bag, I got the pattern and some coordinating fabric to make one.

The pattern is interesting.. you start with two fabrics and sandwich them so they are double sided. Then by way of folding and flipping the pieces around you get a bag with three pockets on the inside. The fabrics criss cross each other and you get a really neat design.


There is no real lining or anything that gets turned right side out and you have raw edges on the handles that need to be covered with bias tape. I didn't make my own, I bought it at Joanns. It was my first time working with bias tape and I have to say it was a lot easier than I had expected. I'm certain my walking foot was the real solution to what could have been a nasty, puckered problem so I'm grateful I have that.


The inside of the bag also has raw edges. The pattern calls for zig zagging the edges to cover them. Initially I wanted to cover them with bias tape, but after the bag is sewn together you end up with eight layers of fabric, all with interfacing so it's pretty thick. I did go ahead and cover them with a zig zag stitch, but with the stitches very close together so they covered the edges almost completely.






The pattern also called for a velcro dot closure, but I wanted to use a magnetic snap instead. I had to make the tab larger than the pattern because the snap wouldn't fit inside. The tab has one layer of interfacing, but next time I'll add two to reinforce it a bit, although I do use buttonholes when inserting magnetic snaps to make sure the fabric doesn't tear from the stress of opening and closing - especially since these particular magnetic snaps are super magnetic. I also had to insert the snap on the body half way through the project to keep it from showing on the other side. The sample in store had a magnetic snap as well, but the backside was completely visible on the back of the front pocket. Being the perfectionist that I am, I couldn't have that.

Anyway, the bag was fun to make. Not hard at all. You just have to be careful when adding the bias tape and when sewing the bag together along the side edges, making sure you catch all layers. And I think there is a way to cover those raw edges on the inside and I'll have to figure it out when I make it the next time.

"The Last Lecture"

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of "The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch and Jeffery Zaslow. If you aren't famliar with Randy's last lecture and story, you can read about his book here.

As soon as I heard about Randy, I had to buy the book. I pre-ordered it on Amazon and it came a couple of weeks ago. If you like to read, I encourage you not to miss this book.

Just another little bag

Over last weekend I made this purse out of some noodles I had cut and sewn all together about four years ago! Maybe I shouldn't put things off for so long. ;)

Honestly, I just didn't know what to do with them. Originally I had planned on making a rail fence lap quilt with the noodles, but I knew I didn't have enough fabric to do that so I sewed them together ... then I really didn't know what to do with them. So they have sat ...and sat ...and sat. But then I thought it would make a cute purse, so I tried it and I really do like it.

30s & White-on-White HST Swap

There's a new swap on the About.com Quilting Forums... half square triangles and for the month of April it's 30s prints and white on white. I made ten sets, ten to a set. It will be exciting to get the swapped ones back I'll probably make something with pinwheels.

Here's the ones I made, my choices on 30s prints was limited to only a few FQs. This cleared out my 30s stash (if you can call it that.)

Tutti Frutti Anyone?

While shopping the McCalls pattern sale Isabella came across a form with the cutest little summer outfit for girls. We got the pattern and went home. The next day I found myself at Joanns again and happened to walk through the apparel fabric section and their "Tutti Frutti" fabric was on sale for $1.99 a yard down from $5.99 a yard. Since this was the same fabric the outfit was made in I bought a bunch of it. I'll start on these soon. :)

Pattern Sale at Joanns

Did anyone notice that the McCalls patterns were only 99 cents at Joanns last week? I picked up eight patterns for eight bucks.... normally at about $15 a piece they would have cost me $120! (There's only six in this picture, the seventh is a tote bag pattern that I forgot to include and the eighth is in the next post).

Mmm. Jelly....... Roll, that is.

Well my goodness it has definitely been a while since I've updated this. Most of April I've been away from my sewing and quilting projects because I've been either sick or playing Mass Effect too much. But I realized I better get back into the swing of things... Dominic's baby shower is on the 5th and I've got to get that crib quilt and a few other things finished. I went to GNO on the 11th and finished the quilting on his quilt. Now all that is left is the backing and binding - I'll get that all done this weekend and post pictures as soon as I can.

Anyway, the sale at GNO was 20% off Jelly Rolls and Charm Packs. Yay! I bought my first Jelly Roll as soon as I saw the "Flutterby" fabrics. I love everything about them and I can't wait to see how they look worked into a quilt. If you ever wanted to define my personality with fabric, it would be with these prints. With the advice from the girls at the LQS I also picked up a couple of charm packs and the pattern, "Roll Out the Charm," a pattern that makes one throw and a tablecloth with the leftover pieces.

I'm making myself wait before starting on this one... but I feel it coming soon!