Tie-front Totes

I recently wrapped up two new tote bags (which was a feat in itself, considering I'm a bag-o-phobe!) I was overdue on a homemade Christmas gift for my sister-in-law, so tackling a new bag project seemed the perfect fit.

Rather than following a traditional paper pattern, I made the bags by taking an e-course from Trish Preston, in which she steps through the construction of her original Tie-front Tote pattern. Trish hosts her e-courses on her Two Peas in a Pod site.

For the first bag -- the one that went to my sister-in-law -- I chose two of my favorite prints from Tula Pink's Parisville line:

And for the second, another two favorite prints -- this time, from Amy Butler's Love line:

Trish's e-course was fantastic and I really can't recommend it enough, especially for beginners and fellow bag-o-phobes like myself. You can read more about my experience taking the course -- as well as enter to win a free enrollment -- over on the Fat Quarterly blog.

MBS | iPad sleeve tutorial

OK, I am back from quilt market and I have so, so much to share! The experience was phenomenal and my head is still spinning from everything I saw, everyone I met, and all of the exciting things that lie ahead.

Alas, the real world (aka my job) beckons and I am behind, behind, behind. No time to blog about market or share all of the great pictures I took yet, but in the meantime I have a new Moda Bake Shop tutorial to share.

While I was at market, my tute for three different iPad sleeves went live. If you have an iPad, or have a friend / spouse / significant other / family member / co-worker that does, I promise this is a FAST project that looks great when it's done.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Ponyo, Bag-Making, and Dipping My Toes in the Waters of Embroidery

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Before I get to any sewing pics, just wanted to share that we took the kids to see "Ponyo" today. What a beautiful, sweet little movie. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and I wasn't sure if it would hold my kids' attention -- we've never seen a Miyazaki movie before, despite all of the good things I've heard -- but they sat through the entire thing! I thoroughly enjoyed it, too ... so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it! Is it weird that I saw great ideas for quilt fabric colors and patterns throughout the entire movie ... ??



Quilt blocks took a bit of a backseat this week to some bags. It all started when my sister-in-law asked me to make her a bag. She is getting ready to start taking golf lessons, and she wanted a pretty, feminine bag to carry her golf shoes in. I said "sure", but wasn't really sure what to make. I haven't attempted zippers yet, so I was looking for something to help me avoid them.

Then I came across the Charming Drawstring Beach Bag tutorial over at the Moda Bake Shop. It seemed perfect! I had a charm pack of Soiree on hand, so I quickly pulled this together:


I think it turned out great! It was super easy to make. And I appreciate the fact that it's machine-washable, since those golf spikes will undoubtedly get a bit muddy from time to time.


I was also inspired recently by Kathy of Pink Chalk Studios' blog post about the "Easiest Accessory Bags Ever" pattern by Fig Tree Quilts. That Kathy is a marketing genius ... it didn't take long for me to have that pattern (and some Aiden Natural Linen to go with it) in my shopping cart.


I had already made a smaller sized bag from the pattern as a thank-you gift for my mom for watching the kids a few weeks back. (Bummer I didn't get a picture of it -- I made it out of "Patisserie" and it was really, really nice ... if I do say so myself!). This time I decided to make the large laundry bag. I found 2 fat quarters of some orange "Summer in the City" prints in my wife's pile of fabrics that she had purchased a while back for her bag-making and decided to put them to good use.

Finally, because I was on such a tear, I decided to make another little Bake Shop bag, but this time I adjusted the pattern a bit. I happened to have 18 charm squares of "Neptune" laying around, and adjusted the dimensions of the bag to make it a bit narrower, a bit shorter, and I used some cuts of linen for the bottom instead of a row of charm squares.

I love how this one came out. It might just become a special carrier for my Doll Quilt Swap quilt!


There wasn't just bag-sewing going on at Casa Quilt Dad this week. Here are two little 5.5" square blocks that I made this week for Sudi-Laura, the winner of this month's "Baggie Bingo" draw over at the Mini Quilt in a Bag swap group:


Gotta love that Deer Valley!

Finally, I mentioned in my last post that I've been experimenting with something new -- embroidery! I've been really inspired by folks who incorporate embroidery into their quilt designs (see this and this and this and -- especially -- this), so I thought it might be a good skill to add to my repertoire!

I thought I'd start out small with a pillow. I asked my daughter what she might like on a pillow, and she said a cat. So I pulled this pattern from the "Sublime Stitching" book and got to work.


Not too shabby for a first-timer, eh? I think I cut the fabric a little too close to the yellow border, but oh well. The funniest part? As soon as I finished, my daughter informed me that she doesn't like cats anymore. Now she wants a unicorn. With 2 daughters, I guess I'd better get used to that. I think there's enough space in between the cat's feet and the yellow border to embroider a little girl's name. Maybe this will become a baby gift ...

(Great free embroidery patterns here, by the way.)

Before I get started on the unicorn, I have to finish this. Yes, I've already started a second embroidery project. No intended recipient in mind yet ... just want to keep practicing. I was TOTALLY inspired by this (and this and this). Free pattern here.


How about you? Been itching to try anything new lately?

Guess who's back?

Hello, everyone! It's me, Mrs. Quilt Dad. This past week I've been on Spring Break from teaching. It's been absolutely wonderful having a full week off, and I even convinced John to take a few days off from work, too! I also took this opportunity to get back on the sewing machine and do something to take my mind off of life's everyday tasks.

My best friend has been asking me to make her a bag for a very long time now. Between my return to working this past year and juggling life in general, combined with a crippling indecision about selecting just the right fabrics for her, I've just been putting it off. I've purchased some fabric here and there in an attempt to motivate myself ... to no avail.

I finally found my inspiration on Friday! John had to pick something up at our local quilt shop,Wish Upon a Quilt (hi Cathy! I loved your store!), and I tagged along. There I found the most beautiful Amy Butler fabric, and I was finally bitten by the bug once again. Paired with Amy Butler's Birdie Sling pattern, I had found the perfect bag for my girlfriend!

With Spring upon us, and because my friend works in a predominantly male, corporate environment, I thought this pretty, feminine and joyous bag would be just what she needed for our bright, sunny NC weekends.

The pattern was relatively easy, though definitely more time consuming than I expected (or remembered). Still, I started this bag after the kids went to bed last night and finished it up right after lunch today. (Thanks, John, for keeping the kids occupied all morning!) It was great to get back into making bags like this and the next item on my list is to make one for myself!

Here are some pics ... now back to you, Quilt Dad!

{Quilt Dad here ... I have definitely gotten my mojo back since my last post and I've been sewing up a storm. More on that soon!}

Mrs. Quilt Dad's Coloring Totes

Tonight, we have a special guest blogger here at Quilt Dad! I'm turning the keyboard over to my beautiful, talented, brilliant and witty wife (heretofore known as "Mrs. Quilt Dad" -- we were going to use Quilt Mom but it seems that it's already taken) to talk about her handmade Christmas gifts! Besides, I thought you could all use a break from my ramblings ... ... ...

Hi, friends!

I've been following John's blog quietly since he first started his venture into the blogging community. As many of you know from his early posts, I was the original avid sewer in our house -- it was I who actually had to convince John to invest in our sewing machine and first became passionate about making homemade gifts (at that time, mostly diaper bags, purses, blankets and sock monkeys!)

Unfortunately, first with being a stay at home mom to three children (all under the age of 2 at one point, mind you) and, more recently, after my return to the workforce this past fall as an instructor at our local community college, many (all?!) of my hobbies got put on the back burner. Just like many of you, I suspect, it's difficult to balance work, hobbies, family time, household chores (and, oh yeah, I'm supposed to be working out, too!)

But after spending months eyeing all the beautiful fabrics John has purchased -- and all the fun, wonderful swaps he has participated in -- I finally got motivated to come back to my sewing machine. First, I had to kick John off the sewing machine (not an easy task -- do you guys know that he is 6'4" and built like a football player??) Then, I had to push aside all the quilting projects stacked on our ironing board (also not an easy task -- what have you guys lured him into??) And finally, I convinced John to do our regular runs to Target and various other Christmas errands with all three of the kids so I could have some peace and quiet to work. I'm heartless, right?!?

I've had this pattern for a coloring tote for a long, long time. I decided it was the perfect Christmas gift for the kids. Purple kitties for our Bevin, pink bunnies for Megan and puppy dogs for Sean, of course. Well, if the truth be known (because I know John would insert an editor's note here if I tried to claim otherwise), it had been so very long since I did any quilting that I asked him to do the initial quilting to save me some time and frustration. He's gotten so good at it (and so fast) that I needed him!

Here are pictures of the final products. They were very easy to make -- even for a rusty old sewer -- and the kids have enjoyed using them.....despite their initial reaction on Christmas Day to say "thank you" and then promptly throw them to the side. But, I'll just chalk that up to toddler Christmas excitement.

I'll keep you posted on future sewing adventures. I still have a quilt for my sister that I need to finish up (promised to her last year for her birthday). All that's left is the binding and I'm so rusty that the thought of it makes me want to bury my head in my students' papers! I'll have to get John to give me a refresher course.

Back to Quilt Dad...

Isn't she the best?? : )

Some more bags ...

It turns out that Giveaway Day helped me get my butt in gear and complete a few unfinished projects that have been hanging around for a while. In addition to the drawstring bag that I gave away, I made three more for my mom to bring to another craft sale this weekend.

And remember the Jelly Bag that was my other giveaway prize? Well, it was one of three that I had started. Here's #2 ... this one's a thank-you gift for my aunt who traveled down here from New Jersey to help with child care while I was recovering from my double knee surgery.

110th Post Giveaway!

Hello, and a hearty welcome to any new visitors who may have been pointed in this direction by the Sew Mama Sew list!

To celebrate my 110th post, and as part of Giveaway Day 2008, I'm happy to host my own little giveaway today. And, to sweeten the pot, I'll be selecting not one, but TWO winners today!

The loot, you ask?

Each winner will receive one of my homemade bags.

The first is another drawstring bag from the Amy Butler In Town Bags pattern, made from some of my favorite Flutterby fabric.

The second is a larger tote bag made from a jelly roll of the Swell line of fabrics. The pattern is the Jelly Bag pattern by Bunny Hill Designs.

This one's not quite done yet ...but don't worry, those metal clips will come off before I package it up. : )

They're not perfect, but hey -- they're made with love for my blog readers. (I never claimed to be a bag maker, and every time I try it, I swear it's the last). Oh, and I'm sure some other little goodies will make their way into these bags before they're sent out.

Now I'm sure you want to know how to win. You know the drill. Leave me a comment on this post -- nothing specific ... I'm too tired to try and think of something clever -- and I'll do the random number generator thingy. If you have a preference on which bag you'd prefer, let me know in your comment. I'll try to accommodate requests once the two winners are selected.

In keeping with Giveaway Day guidelines, entries will only be open today and I'll be picking a winner either later tonight or first thing Thursday morning. Well, because the list of giveaways is so long, the people at SMS have suggested that we keep entries open for a few days to give people a fighting chance of visiting all of the blogs. So, I'll be picking a winner later on this week ... say, Friday evening or Saturday morning? So keep those comments coming!

Good luck ... and happy Giveaway Day!

P.S. In your Giveaway travels today, be sure to stop by the Twiddletails blog and say "hi" to Anina. She didn't make it in time for the SMS list, but is hosting a giveaway of her own. Well, looks like she did, in fact, make the cut!

EDITED 12/5: I just received my 381st post (say what??!) and I am officially closing the comments to pick the winners. Stay tuned for the announcement!

WINNERS!

Wow -- 135 entries for my little giveaway! I am truly blown away. To be honest, I was expecting 30, maybe 40 responses. Thanks to all readers, both old and new, who visited my blog and left me such nice comments.

I just visited random.org to select the winners. I was planning on showing screen shots, but I can't seem to get the screen shots to work. I promise that this is legit ... Scout's honor!

Random.org selected the following numbers: 8, 51, 106, and 43. Now let me go see who the lucky winners are ...

#8: Tine
"The bags are beautiful!!! I would be so proud to call one of these my own! So PLEASE enter me in your very very generous giveaway!They are all wonderful, and I think my favourite is the blue and brown..."

Congrats, Tine! The blue and brown bag (my favorite) will be coming to live with you! So the first of my bags will be traveling all the way to Denmark. Where will the next bag go ... ?

#51: Tracy
"WOW! These are amazing! So happy! What a wonderful gift these would be! Hard to say which one is my favorite....please enter me in your giveaway and keep up the inspiring work!"

It's your lucky day, Tracy! Since you didn't specify a preference, would it be OK if the pink bag came to live with you in sunny California?

#106: Elizabeth
"Well, with 104 comments, there cant be much hope of winning your lovely giveaway! I do love the blue flutterby!I'm a quilter in France, how nice to see a male stitcher. I found you through Ann of En belle France, who doesnt live far `away from me, and one day we may meet to swap fabric."

Congratulations, Elizabeth ... o ye of little faith! I'm so happy to see one of my bags flying across the pond to France. Sorry, Elizabeth, but the blue Flutterby bag is already spoken for. How about the blue & green Ginger Blossom bag? P.S. Please say "hi" to Ann for me!
(I know that from her post, it sounds like Elizabeth was comment #105, but if you look at the time stamps, I think Boo just beat her to the "post" button!)

#43: Rebekah
"cute bags! I love them all, but especially the green and blue varieties : )"

OK, Rebekah ... the green Flutterby bag will be on its way to you shortly! From reading your blog, I would have picked this one out for you anyway! : )

Congratulations, ladies! Please email me your mailing addresses at adamsjohnq@gmail.com and I'll be sure to send these as soon as I can ... well, as soon as I make those mix CD's!

(Speaking of the mix CD's, I've started pulling songs that I want to put on the CD, and I've already pulled enough music to fill THREE CD's!! Self-editing is always the toughest part.)

Wow, this was a lot of fun. I had a great time reading everyone's comments, and I tried to respond to everyone if you left your email address visible. Hmmmm ... I think I'd better start planning my 100 post giveaway now -- I'll have to top myself!

Finally, because no post is complete without pictures (and because several people have asked), here are the most recent pics of Clancy: