Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Island Batik and ByAnnie Challenge

Me: I am so excited that I can explode!!!
Paul: Surprise that the new bag cannot "contain" your excitement.

Let's ignore Paul for now.  I have been consumed by the bag making process and my excitement sometimes (okay, often) spilled into his area.  


Island Batik teamed with ByAnnie for the September Challenge.  We picked a pattern of our choice from ByAnnie. I chose the backpack Got Your Back 2.1.  All fabric was provided by Island Batik. I chose Moonlight Sky - designed by Kathy Engle for Kate Colleran of Seams Like a Dream Quilt Designs

ByAnnie provided the detailed instructions, a coupon code for online videos, and all other bag making supplies. All this came in a neat package in the second box of goodies.


Fabrics and Pattern

Hardware from byAnnie


There were 11 pages of detailed instructions. 

Staying organized

Managing the curves

Checking and rechecking


It was an intimidating task and I was definitely anxious.  I made a couple of mistakes and eventually corrected them.

Looking good

Looking like a bag



Was overwhelmed and received good advice from other IB ambassadors. Hit a wall and managed to overcome it.

Th end is in sight :-)

And finally, here we are!!!

Got Your Back Bag 2.1


The successful completion of a difficult task is reason for excitement and celebration.  So, I took my newly finished bag out for a lunch date. 

On location

Sideways look

Got Your Back :-)

Inside Peek


I wore my brightest hot pink dress and Paul was kind enough to take our pictures. 

Bold and Bright

Mine!!!

Happy me :-)

Loving it!!!


Yes, but that is not all...

During one of the online videos, Annie said "this can be used for another small project" referring to the quilted scraps leftover from cutting the bag front and back etc.

Once the big bad beautiful backpack was completed and I started tidying up, I noticed those quilted parts, too big and too pretty to discard. Hmm... small projects. 

That is when I discovered free patterns on ByAnnie.com. Huge squeal of delight.

I downloaded "A Pencil case for Lola" and "Easy Does It" and made these two additional bags all from the leftover bits. Well, except for the zippers (I have plenty of those). 


Easy Does It

A Pencil Case for Lola

Two additional bags :-)



So now, I have a coordinated set of a pencil case, a vanity bag and a backpack.  Gosh, I am spoiled rotten.

The whole set!!!


Backpack, Vanity Case, and a Pencil Case


I am spoiled!!!


Here is the best part - these two smaller projects came together so quickly, I was absolutely amazed. It was because I now understood how Annie thinks and I understand her process and I could anticipate the next steps. It became so easy and intuitive...that I feel like an expert (somewhat).  Truly I am looking forward to making more of these bags.

I recommend going to the website ByAnnie.com and register. Download a free pattern and make it. You will love it and then buy one of her patterns. It will be a breeze!

I will be sharing with all  my favorite linky parties as I sing Annie's praises :-)  See full list on the sidebar.


In other news, we received the summer precuts (and matching yardage) from Island Batik. These were delayed but here they are in their yummy goodness.

Constellations from Island Batik - 10" Squares


Free to Fly 2.5" Strips with matching yardage


Disclosure: The fabrics, thread, batting and needles were generously supplied by the following companies:


30 comments:

  1. I have never gotten into bags - yours look very professionally made! I like the colors also.

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  2. Your backpack looks fabulous! I love that you took it out on a lunch date :) The extra bags are great, too, and I know exactly what you mean about understanding Annie's process once you've made one or two--that's how I felt too, like a lightbulb went off and I understood the construction of bags. Beautiful projects!!

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  3. You look so cute with your bag! Great job. Enjoy it.

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  4. Wow! I'd be intimidated too to make the back bag. You did an amazing job and the batiks provided were beautiful! Great job on the smallies too!!

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  5. Wowie, that is a fabulous backpack, Preeti! I love the fabric combinations you chose, and of course, there are leftover pieces for more fun pouches. Pretty and useful is the perfect combination!

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  6. Great job on the bag! They are not always easy, but always a great reward when done. And then, of course, you made a few small ones. I don’t make as many bags now, but the Annie bags are so tempting!

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  7. You are ready to go with your trio of bags! You did really nice work on them, and thanks for modeling with the bag so I could see the actual size - plus it's fun to see you in the photos :-) Annie patterns are so well done, and your versions are gorgeous!

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  8. Oh I love it!! And of course - it looks so happy with your pink!!!

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  9. Great job. Last year I used the scrap cuttings to make mug rungs.

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  10. I admire your bags. I find them very difficult to sew. I made a few and used them and was dismayed to find the fabric soon frays at the bottom edges. Love what you did, and love the fabric, but I am not a bag maker. Just quilts.

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  11. Great bags, and now you are all set for a nice trip. Where shall we go? :) Enjoy the rest of the week!

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  12. Looks like a well sized backback! Congrats - I think bag making can be quiet hard sometimes - bulk and all - but you perservered and made it shine :) And enjoy your two little extras! xo

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  13. Your bags look great! Such lovely colors. I love the batiks they sent you.

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  14. Such beautiful bags, you've done a wonderful job. But they look so difficult and fiddly so I'll just admire yours from afar.

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  15. Hi Preeti! Your Got Your Back bag is sweet. Almost as sweet as you! Those fabrics really shine and that teal piping looks so darn sharp. The lunch outing was warranted. Plus TWO extra pretties from the scraps - that is extra sweet. Yippee for the arrival of new fabrics - can't wait to see what is up your sleeve next. {{Hugs}} Take care and stay safe. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  16. Oh my gosh, Preeti -- you look so cute with your bags! They came out great. I would be absolutely terrified if I had to make a bag. The only thing worse would be trying to sew a bra -- and yes, I've done that, and it did not go well.

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  17. Well done with the bag Preeti, it looks amazing. I would have been overwhelmed at 11 pages of instructions!! Your bonus little bags are cute too. The new fabrics are wonderful too.

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  18. Nice work, Preeti!! You are singing a common song, as I have heard other glowing reviews for these patterns. I'm glad they worked for you (as my brain doesn't seem to work that way.) Enjoy that lovely set of bags!

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  19. Ooh, all the details! What a great set of bags. Pat yourself on the back; those are a real accomplishment. Did Paul get to have lunch with you, or did he sit in a different booth?

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  20. Lovely bags! Of course you made three . Love the precuts you got! Constellations is one of my favorites.

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    1. Oops! So excited about your bag I forgot to thank you for linking up to Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  21. Fabulous finishes! A girl cannot have too many bags! Especially if they are a lovely as these! Thanks for the glowing recommendation. I’ll remember when I get ready to tackle a backpack!

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  22. Lovely! I have Annie's backpack pattern which I have not made. I'm wondering how Got Your Back 2.1 is different

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  23. Wow, your backpack looks good! I love your fashion photos ;) And of course there are a vanity and a pouch to use all the fabric and have fun alittle more ;D
    Thank you for sharing and linking up with Patchwork & Quilts today!

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  24. Great looking backpack and "bonus" bags too! Good for you to try making a backpack!

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  25. What a fun collection of bags. Curves are always intimidating for us quilters, but it looks like you have it handled.

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  26. You have a very professional looking bag there Preeti!

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  27. Your bag is cute as a button, as you are, too, Preeti!!! I've made some of her patterns and have lived through the wall, so I know what you mean! And thanks for the reminder of the freebies--I have leftover quilted scraps that could be put to fun use.

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  28. Your back pack looks great! Very stylish and useful. I've not sewn in a zipper in years. I'm not sure I would remember how at this point.

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  29. Completing a quilt is one thing, but successfully completing a bag(s) is a glorious feeling! I love making bags, but I have to be in just the right mindset, and I have an entirely clutter free entire sewing area. Great job, Preeti!

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