Lucky me. I scored some extra sewing time!
For the 3rd day in a row we have very, very strong winds; so bad today that it is dangerous and unpleasant outside. Branches and leaves are raining out of the sky, mainly from the huge Gum trees and yellow clouds of pollen from the Cryptomeria shelter belts are blowing everywhere ( oh my poor eyes! ) So I get to stay inside....the work won't go away it will have to get done on a calmer day.
Thanks to Joyce for the inspiration to make this amazing bag. Thanks also to Andrea ( Welsh Quilter ) for the instructions to make the bag. It is quite a mystery making this pattern for the first time but once one is done I can see why more might be in order!
I have a question about the handles. Joyce did you realise their were 2 way to have the handles and you have used different ways on different bags? Without a closure it doesn't matter or need to be one way or the other. After much fannying about and trial I decided they had to be so they can hang up easily....mine is only pinned in the photo cause I haven't made the final decision on the button.
Speaking from experience there are a couple of things to watch out for. Make sure no pins have been left in anywhere lol. I used needle punch batting and it may be too rigid...the bag stands up on its own which is good - it may be easier to make with a more supple batting.
I think the pattern may have more possibilities. For a fold away cheaply made bag for groceries and such it could be made without batting just 2 linings sewn together? it could also be made of different coloured strips rather than all the squares....I'm thinking on that one.
I have also completed some more table mats. The pansy one I really like; it has a 2nd little mate not yet finished. The other is for the sales table. Now I'm off to cut out more!
I hope lots of you got to see that wonderful MOON on Tuesday night. It was quite interesting to look at last night as well. It had a copper ring around it still.
Each time I see someone else has made up this bag I think 'I must make one of those' - I love your fabric choices Ali and the table mats are lovely
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on the bag. Love the color choices. I have those instructions bookmarked to make too. It's a great bag and it's been really fun seeing everyones versions.
ReplyDeleteYour bag looks great! Ariana realized that her handles were on differently than mine when we did the photo. It doesn't really matter I guess, at least it didn't to her. I used a piece of round elastic to make the loop for the button and I attached it at the same time as I put on the handles. That's where you have to be careful that the handles are the way you want them. I think stripes instead of squares and no lining is a great idea. Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteWow your bag is lovely too! I have been watching Joyce's lovely bags, & have saved Andrea's instructions, but I couldn't find the handle instructions?
ReplyDeleteA nice gift for someone.
Love your mats.
Hi Meggie ,
ReplyDeleteIf you use the link in my blog or on my side bar it will take you to Andrea's ( Welsh Quilter)current posting. Then go to her archives and select June 2007 - that way you get all 4 parts of her tutorial.( handles lining etc.)
Hi Joyce, I wish I had put in the button fastener when I pinned in the handles. I will do that next time.
Don´t you find it fun to make this bag, I agree that it has a lot of possibilities.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely bag ! Great to see how different they all look ! I love the reds ! Thanks for letting me know about your bag !
ReplyDeletenice table mats, lovely idea. Very nice bag, you obviously can read instructions :)
ReplyDeleteI love your bag---I HAVE to try that--every time I see one of you put a picture of one up that you made, I want to rush to the sewing room and try it! I'm such a bagaphobic, tho, cause I really, really have a hard time reading/understanding patterns BUT I AM going to try this one!!! :D I also LOVE your hexagon table toppers. Did you use something as a template to get your large hexagon? I would like to try those too. :D
ReplyDeleteI can see that the bucket bag bug has claimed you too! Had a chuckle about checking for any stray pins left inside .... I left one on mine and it was a bit of a struckle to get out. :o)
ReplyDelete