I am lucky enough to be the coordinator of our administrative support group at work. We have monthly meetings with training and other information that department heads don't seem to pass on to us. For December, I thought it would be nice to have a Holiday Lunch at a local restaurant in downtown Ithaca. It turned out to be a very nice time at Kilpatrick's on Tioga Street.
To show my appreciation for the administrative staff, I made some of the Japanese drawstring bags that were explained on Episode 706 on The Quilt Show, with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. Those that came to lunch (there were only 7 of us) really enjoyed the bags.
Here is a sample of what I made:
It has always been very difficult for me to think outside of the box, especially when sewing and quilting. If I didn't have a pattern to work from, I couldn't seem to create anything. But something changed recently.
I found a great free pattern online for a handbag on the AllPeopleQuilt website. I thought I would try to make it for myself. While going through the pattern and cutting the fabric, I decided to deviate from the pattern a little. The pattern did not say anything about quilting the fabric and the batting together; I quilted them with a heart and swirl pattern. The pattern does not include any pockets on the inside of the handbag; I included pockets. The deviation wasn't much, but I think it's the breakthrough I've been looking for.
Here's the final product:
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| New Handbag |
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| The inside pockets |
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I plan to add a zipper also, which is not part of the pattern either. That should make this bag the perfect handbag!
When my Aunt Sherry saw the bag, she squealed and asked that I make her one. I'm looking forward to making one with maroon fabric for the lining. I'm not sure what I will use yet for the pockets outside or the handles. Stay tuned for that...
I am so surprised that it's been so long since the last time I blogged! I need to write more!
Anyway, the project that I last wrote about was the crazy quilt wall hanging Pete asked me to do. I finished it; it turned out to be 12" square and is currently hanging on the wall in Pete's studio.
Pete used the image of this quilt to create some Ked sneakers on Zazzle. Check them out here. I think it turned out pretty cool.
