My 100 day Dance with Scraps (Progress Update)

My friend Sarah kicked off a 100 day project on September 23. Wanting a low pressure way to join in the fun, my goal was to sort through all my bags of scraps and sew them together to make blocks, throw them out, or put them aside for a very specific project. Whatever happens, my mindset is 100 day of play - sewing and playing with fabric without a goal in mind. (This is my first post)

First, I am happy to report that I threw away some scraps that were too small or too ugly. This is a hard step but it is done! All the rest are condensed down and reasonably sorted. Still a daunting task - pictured above is only some of them - but now they are visible.

Second, I trimmed all this random bits of white/cream solid fabric into 1.5" strips with the intent of making scrappy log cabins. There won't be enough to make a quilt but I hope to put the block to use on a future quilt back.

Third, I made some fall placemats. Two done and one more underway. The binding is scrappy and just a single layer (cut at 1.25" wide) and secured with a zig-zag stitch. I kitted together other scraps for other seasonal placemats too. 

I made some project bags to gift using my tutorial from a few years ago swapping mesh for the vinyl.

My next scrappy project is to make a large open tote bag to carry my gear to guild meetings. My dance with scraps continues!

I'll be linking up with Anne Marie at One Monthly Goal.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Quilts at the Fair

One of the highlights from a recent trip to the NC State fair was the quilts! This is the quilt Refractions sewn by members of my guild Triangle MQG which hung in QuiltCon 2023 in Atlanta. I was one of three designers for the quilt (Robin, top row left, and Charles, top row right) were the other two. (I'm kneeling in the bottom row, 2nd from right.)

Our quilt won a 2nd place (red) ribbon at the fair in the group category. Based on how the quilts are displayed, it is impossible to view the quilts by category so I've no idea what the blue ribbon quilt looked like. Top prize money too - our 2nd place finish earned up about $10!

Since I chose to not enter any of my own quilts, I did take the opportunity to grab a selfie.

The rest of our time at the fair was spent sampling food - we tried a bit of everything. We didn't go on any of the rides but did enjoy watching them spin by.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

The Beginning of a Bag

In my last guild meeting, a friend showed off this beautiful bag made of cork. I only saw it from a distance but that was enough for me to decide that I. MUST. MAKE. THAT. BAG.

I've made lots of bags but never a true purse. My friend, on the other hand, makes and sells bags plus teaches courses in making them. But with confidence in my own skills, I ordered the pattern - Hiraeth bag. The pattern is well written and has video content for every step. My confidence level grows even more so I order the bag hardware.

The bag has rivets! I've never done rivets but they certainly make a bag look more professional so I am game. But I need a rivet installation tool so I buy a basic one.

The bag uses some new to me interfacing which I scour the internet for and then order from an Etsy shop. And then I decide I want to add purse feet so I order those. 

With all the bag hardware and interfacing secured, I decide on this beautiful ocean blue cork only then realizing how expensive the bag will cost if I buy the 36" x 54" required for a bag made entirely from cork on top of all the other supplies already acquired. 

So I purchase a 18" x 54" wide piece of cork with the intent of making the bag with a mix of cork and fabric (there are real pretty examples out there) OR to move to plan B.

Welcome to plan B. I am making a modified version of the Firefly Bag. (See my prior bags in project size and tote size.)

Here is how the Firefly pattern was / will be modified:

• the height of the bag was shortened by 1.5" which meant all the pieces, including the pockets, were cut shorter. The width matches the pattern
• the accent pocket (the bit that shows above the zipper) has cork on the outside and fabric on the inside
• the handles were cut at 2.25" x 18" with a 5/8" wide strip of interfacing down the middle
• shoulder strap was cut at 4" x 50" with no interfacing
• the tabs to hold the optional shoulder strap were cut at 2.25" x 3.5" with a scant 1" strip of interfacing
• bag will have a zipper closure in the same fashion as my other two

• all cork pieces were interfaced with Pellon 525 Decovil Light

I am taking this bag in stages to give me time to think about modifications and then think some more before taking a step. My last sewing session ended with the decision of whether to add bag feet and where to place them. The lining is all pieced and ready to go.

My goal is to finish the bag in the next few days. The opportunity to add rivets still exists. Will I or won't I? I will leave with that cliffhanger!

P.S. I am committed to making Hiraeth bag in the future but out of fabric with perhaps cork accents. My cork was sourced from Sew Sweetness (turns our they carry the interfacing too.) Most of bag hardware from Sally Tomato and zippers from ZipIt on Etsy. All three are are great shops that I've purchased from before. 

P.S.S. There was more drama involved in acquiring a zipper which I didn't like once it arrived so I ordered more from a different store.

P.S.S.S. Drama aside, I am having fun and am confident that any supplies left over will be used in the future.

Have a wonderful day! Patty