Totally Trendy Totes II

While attending the Sauder quilt show several years ago, I watched a demonstration on making the Totally Trendy Totes II (previously named Totally Trendy Totes 2.0) bag. The lady doing the sewing made it look easy so I purchased the pattern. I'm sure Sauder's offered a class for the bag but I live 1.5 hours away. 

That same summer I purchased fabrics for the bag. A year ago I cut out the pieces for the extra-large size then quilted the red fabric for the main body with my sewing machine. Then I read the next step and was completely lost.

I carefully put all the pieces and the body on a tray and laid it aside for another day. That day came the first week of November. My friend Lori came and stayed a couple of days for a mini sewing retreat. I chose the tote bag to work on because Lori has made several bags.

She encouraged me all along the way, I wouldn't have finished it without her. I am please to show you my finished Totally Trendy Tote II bag.

I am so glad to not have that project guilting me anymore. And did you notice, it's not BLUE! I really liked the red floral fabric the moment I saw it, it is perfect with the yellow gingham print.

The Totally Trendy Totes II pattern is available from byannie.com. I think the pattern could have benefited from more pictures and better labeling. There is also a pattern included for a project bag which doesn't have picture of the project, I need to see a picture of what I'm making. That's me though, I don't participate in mystery quilts either.

There are two small pockets on the outside of the bag but no pockets on the inside. I made two pockets with extra fabric and hand stitched them to the inside before I sewed the side seams.

Will I ever make another bag? I might, at least I know how to make this pattern now but I won't try a different pattern. I don't think bags are really my thing but I have a finish!

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down

Hearts & Wreaths

The 3rd corner of the Hearts & Wreaths border was finished before we left for Maryland and I took several pictures. I'm sorry the left side got a little scrunched but you can still see the corners!

Just a close up picture of the corner.

If you click on the link at the bottom of this page about my first post about Hearts & Wreaths, you'll see a picture of the quilt. I changed my corners and didn't add the little leaf motif. For that reason I needed the vine/leaves to dip farther into the corner than the original.

It was challenging to make the curve the way I wanted it. It took 5 tries to have the correct curve, I wasn't sure it would be right until I appliqued the leaves. 

I always enjoy seeing pictures of the backs of quilts before they're quilted. 

Here is a link to my first post about Hearts & Wreaths. This post will give you information about the pattern, it also shows you a picture of the true yellow of the background fabric.

 Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Design Wall Monday, Craftastic Monday, Monday Musings

Lady Jane Again!

My computer problems have been solved. My computer was 11 years old and didn't have the capacity to update anymore. I have a new computer now.  There is a lot of blogging catch-up to do but we're leaving this evening to travel to Maryland to spend Thanksgiving with our oldest son and his family. (This is the Pennsylvania family who have now moved to Maryland.) The next post will be next Sunday.

Lady Jane is now displayed on a wall! Aren't blue, white and gray quilts striking?

I washed the quilt after she had the binding attached to remove the markings. Washing made her do some puckering. I thought the center of this flower was interesting. 

 

Another picture, because I can.

Grandmother's flower garden quilt has been moved to another wall.

After Christmas, I'm going have a blue & white display on the rafters.

In the last post about Lady Jane, I realized I neglected give you the finished size, she measures 87" by 93", a perfect size for my wall space.

She is hand quilted with a wool batt. The fabrics were a variety of blues I had in my stash. Click here for the Lady Jane finished post to see more pictures.

Here is a link to the Lady Jane pattern.

Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Craftastic Monday, Sew & Tell