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.
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:
My mom was just 14 when she was married off (nobody asked her). Of course she was not "sent" to her husband's house for another year (she was too young).
My dad encouraged her to continue her education. She completed high school and received a BA in Geography. I was born.
She furthered her education and received an MA in Economics. My sister was born.
My dad encouraged her to get a job. She refused flatly.
No, she was determined to be a full time mother and a homemaker.
And that was that.
My sister, mom and me
Some 20 years later, when I got married (arranged), my husband expected me to be a homemaker.
No, I said. We (He and I) both went to school for Architecture and got the same degree.
Why should I stay at home, I argued.
He replied that I should be like my mother, who sacrificed her career for the sake of her family.
You miss the point, I retorted. She had a choice and she chose to be a homemaker.
I should have the same choice.
Me: Look. look, Paul. I love this fabric. Paul: It is nifty.
Me: It is more than nifty. It is both aspirational and a reflection of our times. It not only shows women in science. It shows diverse women in science. Paul: Is that so?
Me: See there are five of them and each one has a different hair color. Paul: What are you going to make with it?
Me: Everything. Paul: Everything?
Me: Yes. Sheets, bed-covers, pillow-covers, curtains, may be a dress and... Paul: Start with a pencil case.
Gotta love this man. He knows how to push my buttons and rein me in - all at the same time.
So I started with a pencil case. But made two.
Zippered Pouch
Two Pouches
Loving it :-)
The sliver leftover became part of a mug rug. I purposely offset the scientist gal to the the side so that even when you place a coffee mug and a cookie on the rug, you can still see her.
Mug Rug
And then inspiration struck...
Fussy cut girls, each in her own place doing what she loves.
Celebrating Women
Small Finish - Big Smile
Love this fabric
Is it still a Dreami if it is a fabric that sparks the process?
I am sure Sandra will agree.
Is it a coincidence that I came across this fabric this month - Women's History Month?
Possibly. But I do believe that the Universe works in magical ways.
I have named each one of these wonder women.
This is Sveta, named after Svitlana Mayoboroda, a mathematician from Ukraine.
Sveta
I am calling her Taywa, after Taiwo Olayemi Elufioye who is a Nigerian pharmacologist and researcher.
Taywa
Her name is Eve, after Eva Maria Neher who is a German scientist doing research in biochemistry and microbiology.
Eve
And she is named Myla, after Mayly Sanchez who is a Venezuela-born particle physicist.
Myla
The names of my quilty gals are inspired by these women in science today. I have included links to their wikipedia pages because I can use a shot of positivity to conquer whatever obstacle lies in my path today.
So I may not have made everything from key-fob to curtains from this fabric but I can definitely be inspired from here to far and beyond. What will you conquer today?
I will be linking with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.
The assignment was simple - Make a quilt from old baby clothes.
The tricky part - Not one, not two, but three quilts.
Getting the fabric ready for a t-shirt (or onesie) quilt is a slow, labored process.
The painful (for me) part of the whole process is cutting up perfectly nice and cute baby clothes. It generates a lot of trash - seams, buttons, zippers and oddly shaped fabric slivers.
Aligning fabric pieces on SF101
The tedious part - interfacing each piece of salvaged fabric. This is slow, because I cannot hurriedly iron over it. Holding the iron down in each section for 8-10 seconds is a must to ensure that the interfacing adheres to the fabric properly. This is followed by squaring each of the above interfaced pieces. And only then can I start to piece.
Design Wall for Layout
SF101 is a must. Design wall is a savior. And most importantly patience is a virtue.
But let's get to the fun part. The finished quilts. These are the three quilts for three siblings (or musketeers). Quilt #1
Finished about 41" by 44"
Personality Plus
Fly away
Hop to it
Dude with 'tude
All cuteness
Wild one
Bold & Boyish
Polar Bear backing from Hawthorne Threads
Walking Foot Quilting
Quilt #2
Finished about 43" by 46"
Bird & Beautiful
Pink and Pinker
Aw...
Brightest Slippers ever
Rooting for the team
May the best team win
I love you too
Fluffy Plus
Sweetness
Cuteness
Brightness
Loveliness
Labelled
Walking Foot Quilting
Quilt #3
Finished about 41" by 42"
Snappy
So much fun
Puppies and Turtles
Adorable
And I am no wimp
Orange, Coral and Yellow - Love the colors
Monkeys make everything better
A baby elephant adds to the charm
Yay for the team!!!
Navy & Starry Backing
Walking Foot Quilting
Bound and Done
If you choose to make a t-shirt quilt or a quilt from onesies and baby clothes, these are a few important things
1. Use a walking foot even for piecing because the knit fabric + interfacing = bulk.
2. Press ALL seams open.
3. Use a wider binding. Instead of using 2.5" strips, I suggest using 2.75" strips. A little extra width helps capture those bulky seams with ease.
But quilts is not all I made from the baby clothes. I knew I would have fabric left over for three small pencil cases - one for each musketeer.
Three Pencil cases for Three Musketeers
Ready for Stuff
Also I had plenty of fabric to make three pillow covers. I chose to use binding to finish, instead of just stitching RST and turning it inside out. Yes, it takes more work but I wanted to do the very best for this mom of three.
Three Pillow covers
Pink Binding
I had a feeling that if the pillow covers did not have a pillow form inside, they may just be sitting in a closet and not get used. To make sure that items could be used instantly, I bought pillow forms and inserted in each of the covers. Besides fluffy pillows also look better in photoshoots :-D
Envelope Style
Soft and Ready to Cuddle
Is that all? Well, almost.
Still some pieces were left and they were too precious to discard, since they already had the interfacing. So, I finished off with a few mug rugs.
Mug Rugs
And a very good morning to you!!!
I was paid handsomely for all my efforts. The best part, however, was the smile on mom's face.
Mission Accomplished.
I will be linking with all my favorite lanky parties. As always, I'd love to hear from you.
Which one is your favorite quilt?
