Working and Planning

When I am dithering and trying to decide what to do, sometimes quick short projects are useful.  Here are two Mors bags using fabric given to me by one of John's cousins.  And two little zippered pouches made from leftovers of tote bag fabrics.

Here are two more tote bags, almost completed.  I love constructing these bags on a foundation of Soft and Stable byannie.com. I've got piles of fabric all over the studio for tote bags I want to work on in April

And I know I'm going to do more of these over-the-shoulder totes and already have the fabric picked out. The outgoing president of the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild Beth is getting one of the black-and-white ones, and I'm curious to see how this blue-white striped fabric works with this pattern.

Having finally decided on what to work one at the retreat, I'm getting ready. Here is my inspiration piece, Peace and Comfort, by Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio. More of this project later as it gets under way!

Angst Reduction

I've joked about needlepointing "Get your head out of your ass." Unfortunately that's truer than I care to admit. I haven't decided what I want to do next. But I did make a present this afternoon for one of John's jazz friends who turns 60 next month. Focusing one someone else is a great angst reducer, isn't it?

This zippered tote went together neatly - I love using these fabrics. And I think the birthday girl will like this.

Angst

Is it this bizarre warm weather? Is it Spring Fever? Is it the clean studio? Whatever the cause, I'm having some quilt angst and cannot decide what I want to work on next. Part of my issue is that I'm on inspiration overload, thanks to the 100 Days of Modern Quilting project. Such fabulous ideas. The Chicago Modern Quilt Guild is having its third retreat the end of this month. And I'm trying to decide what project I want to work on. It can't require massive concentration because there is just too much fun and merriment at these retreats. And it's got to be something modern. So many of the modern quilts are light, and I have a hard time working light. So that's part of the angst. My scrap pile also contributes to this unease I'm feeling. I have so many fabulous scraps and think I should start another scrap project. Yet I want to do something big and bold. So I'm looking through my design books and web site and am just unsettled.

Meanwhile, I make little zippered pouches - for me, for my sister, for anyone who even hints she needs a little zippered pouch.

A Trip Around the Studio

Quick! Look while it's clean-ish.

A Tale of Two Totes

Following a pattern is like following a recipe. Sometimes I have to follow a pattern or recipe exactly so I can then know in which direction to modify it. The first bag, the one following directions exactly, is the one on the right. As I was working on this first one, I knew the top band was too narrow. I wanted to use a bold lining but then wimped out and used a plain white solid. As I was applying the zipper and pocket, I knew I wanted to use a different technique to make a more genuine and sturdy pocket. But did I? No. I followed the directions except for making the straps longer.  I like this bag on the right.

But I LOVE the bag on the left. I doubled the width of the top band and decided to go with a solid black batik for both the band and the straps. There's a scarlet batik for the inner band, which contrasts wonderfully with the lining, a great print of pattern pieces. There's a lime green zipper to match the lining. And the lined pocked uses the last of a lime green gingham. Once this bag was almost finished, I realized I could still attach some magnets to hold the top band together. One thing both totes have are scarlet pulls so that the zipper tabs are easily located.

The bag on the left is going to niece Jen Peters who dances for the Jennifer Mueller/The Works and teaches Pilates in Manhattan. She's always carrying a change of clothes or two. Jen's going to pilot this bag and let me know whether this tote is practical for this kind of application.

Any takers for my practice bag, the one of the right?

A New Bag

 As I was making this bag from the pattern in this book, I knew I should modify the bag.  Doesn't it look huge on the cover of the book?  And now I'm a little sorry I didn't make this cute this bag a bit bigger.  The model on the book cover must be a midget - the bag really isn't that big.

So, with the next bag, I will make it a bit bigger, be bolder with the band and the handles, make the quilting more visual, and do something fun with the lining. 

This one still has pins in it - once it's finished I'll show the interior.  I did however finish the home dec totes.  Pretty cute, huh?

Synthesis

 Synthesis is taking what you learned and applying that knowledge to something new.  Quilting + totes + little zippered pouches + zippered opening in tote + home dec fabric + hardware to attached little pouch to tote + Soft and Stable foam batting = one pretty terrific set. 

There are still two more to be assembled, but all the parts are there ready to go!

For February

It seems only appropriate to end February with something that looks ethnic (and thus my little mini-tribute to Black History Month).  One of John's friends from our bank wants to give her mother and her sister these bags.  Note:  This Leap Year Day is incredible - it's sunny and in the 50's. 

In Process

One bag is complete, and four more are in process - straps, zippers, pockets, small zippered pouches to go with the totes. These are what I'm thinking of selling at an AAUW fundraiser in May. I am definitely going to use more of the home dec fabrics - they are perfect for these totes.

And I must organize the studio - it's out of control...again. Not one of the fabric cabinet doors is closed, there are project piles all over, the little box of zippers and magnets is spread out, and some things just need to be put away.

Present Ready

This shower present for Mike Kaiser and his fiance Lauren is ready for tomorrow's shower.  It's fun to see lovely young adults find their life partners and all glowy with the newness of love.  I love how this casserole carrier turned out, with the outside featuring some glitz!  The spoon handle is icing on this little quilted cake, and the little grey bow is the only wrapping this present will get.