Little Quilt Blankets
Little Ruffled Apron
Years ago I made a little apron for one of my nieces. I made sure to take pictures so I could one day document it. This was a fun, easy project, and I added a few decorative touches that I thought my niece might like such as ruffles and a little embroidered monogram. Read on to see the details!
Karlee Porter’s Shimmering Symphony Class
In January 2021 I took another super-fun class with Karlee Porter, which was her Shimmering Symphony master class. In this course she taught us how to make a copy (our own version) of her award-winning Shimmering Symphony art quilt, which used free-motion quilting, couching, bobbin work, and Swarovski hot crystals.
The Big Easy Expanding Tote Bag
Continuing with my archives, here is a really great bag called The Big Easy. I made this one in 2018. The pattern describes it as an expanding tote bag because it can be fastened up to be more compact (via large magnetic snaps and buttons on the sides) or expanded out to jumbo size when the sides are released. I use it as a project bag, but it would also make a great carry-all for travel.
Reisende Bag
Here is another archives bag from 2016. And what, you might ask, does “reisende” mean? I had to look it up - it is apparently German for “traveler”, so this is a bag intended for travel! It would be a good carry-on size, and has a large open interior with a couple of zipper pockets. While it appears to have adjustable straps, the fittings are actually decorative, though you can make the straps the right length for you. This bag can be made in three different sizes - I made the largest size.
Crossroads Sampler Quilt Class
My completed Crossroads Quilt quilt top! During the continuing Great Pandemic in 2021 I took two big online classes - Free Motion Frenzy 2021 with Karlee Porter, and the Crossroads Sampler pieced quilt Block of the Month Class. This post covers the Crossroads Sampler, Designed by Scott Flanagan of 4th & Main Designs, taught online through The Presser Foot in Longmont, Colorado.
Free Motion Frenzy 2021
My mostly quilted quilt! In 2021, as the Great Pandemic continued, I took some really big classes, all related to quilting. The one I’m covering in this blogpost is Free Motion Frenzy 2021 by Karlee Porter, also called FMF2021. As you might guess from the class name, Free Motion quilting was the class focus! I loved the Graffiti Quilting class I took with Karlee in 2020, so I was excited when she offered up another class, this time teaching free motion designs to quilt over classic quilt blocks.
The Brava Bag
A Bag From the Archives: In the last month or so I’ve been looking through the patterns of things I’ve made, and trying to remember when I made them. I made this one in 2015. The Brava Bag pattern was designed by Ruthann Stilwell for Susan Rooney Patterns. (I’ve included an image of the pattern below.) This bag might be the first one I made in which quilting was involved! I did a little free-motion work around some of the design elements on one part of the bag, and on another part I did (mostly) evenly-spaced lines.
Graffiti Quilting Master Class by Karlee Porter
During the Great Pandemic Lockdown of 2020, I found that I wanted to learn new things, and of course this meant finding online class options. Fortunately, I found out about the Graffiti Quilting Master Class by Karlee Porter! I won't go into too much detail about what that is, because it isn't my class to teach. But, I will share an overview of what I got to do. I loved taking this class, and the steep learning curve it gave me!
Domestika Lantoki Dress Shirt
I've been looking for a project that both lets me practice garment-making skills and that uses fabric from one of my Spoonflower designs. I found this project in Dressmaking: Design Your Own Shirt, a course by Lantoki, through the learning platform Domestika.
Modern Clutch Starter #232
The Modern Clutch Starter #232 was a fun and surprisingly simple bag to make. I want to note that the #232 part of this pattern name refers to the color of the kiss-lock frame included with the pattern ("Gunmetal", or an iridescent black). The pattern with frame has two other colors as well. The company that designed and sells this pattern is Pink Sand Beach Designs. They also sell the frames separately so you can make more after you make your first one! I both embroidered and sewed my bag on the same machine, a Bernina.
Caitlyn Handbag
Here's my post on making the Caitlyn Handbag, which I did back in a 2015 bag class at The Presser Foot. This cute little bag was fun to put together! I particularly enjoyed learning how to make the little peek-a-boo pleat details. The pattern is designed to upcycle vintage ties, or can be made with regular woven fabric. For this class, we used the "make new" directions with regular woven fabric. The Caitlyn Handbag is designed by Betz White.
Hidden Treasure Tote
I made this bag in 2015, my year of bag classes. The pattern is for a tote with an interior, smaller bag that can be removed and used as a little evening purse or as a quick errand purse. I took the class for this bag at The Presser Foot in Longmont, Colorado. The bag is called Hidden Treasure Tote, by The Creative Thimble. In the photo of the pattern you can see the smaller bag, as well as the front and back of the tote itself.
Bag Blog - First Bag I Ever Made
Back in 2013 I sewed my first bag, in a class. At the time I had only sewn very simple things, and I was ready to get serious about sewing. My kids were finally old enough that I could devote some time to a space-devouring project. I wanted to make something practical, and something that would push the boundaries of my skills. I wanted to get more comfortable with my sewing machine. I didn't have a clear idea of what to make, but I was ready for inspiration.