I promised I would share what we made at the quilting retreat. I’m very much a beginning quilter, so I hesitate to show what I was working on. But the saying goes, “Save the best for last,” so I thought I’d start with my own project(s) and work up to what some of the experts sewed in another post.
I still have plenty of scraps to work with so I brought the cut out squares and strips with me to the retreat. I only broke two needles this time, sewing through the heavy layers in the corner seams. Less than one needle per bag. Getting better!
Future bags may be a variation of these, maybe with squares on the bottom too. Not sure yet.
What are they good for? In my case, I use one of these bags as a purse because they hold a lot (of my important junk). Most other people might use them to carry books to their book club meeting, carry slippers to a friend’s house when they go to dinner and want to change shoes, carry a camera and a notebook for a hike or photo outing, carry a sandwich and a bottle of water — the list is endless. It just depends on your lifestyle and special needs and hobbies.
Some people at the retreat made much fancier bags than these and it got me thinking about finding new designs for my next bags.
Meanwhile, I made the top layers of two coffee table “runners.” I’ll do a post about those when I get the batting and backing on them and finish quilting the layers together.
In the next post I hope to show you some of the projects the expert quilters worked on. Their sewing skills are amazing.
Very nice!
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Thanks, Darlene. They’re fun to make, but you should have seen what some of those quilters could turn out. They are real experts.
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Oh wow! Those bags are great, Anneli! Here in the US, March 18th is National Quilting Day. It looks like you’re set to celebrate. 🙂
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There is another weekend of workshops I hope to go to in mid-March. I didn’t know about National Quilting Day. I must be sure to spend the day sewing. 😉
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Groceries! Or a child to carry school things. 😌
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Great ideas!
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Nicely done!
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Thanks, Belinda. I can confess now, that I cheated a bit. I photoshopped out a thread that was hanging from one of the bag handles. 😉
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Great job, Anneli! You have much more patience than I do! They turned out very well. 😀 Looking forward to your next post or two.
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Thanks, Sonja. They get easier and easier, the more you make.
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I love your bags so much – I want one for Monday, one for Tuesday … and so on. Beautiful work! MYBAG is the only one that I have with me now, summer and winter. Soon I have to wash it I guess. You are an artist and you should sell them in the internet!!!
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The postage would kill me!! But I’m glad you’re enjoying your bag.
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They look great, Anneli!
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Let’s hope the spam folder doesn’t intercept your comments anymore, Pit.
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So did you find this in your spam folder?
Thanks for your email. Like I said, I’ll try to solve the problem. Maybe I need to contact WP support. Strange thing: it happenns in all my browsers, and on my cell phone.
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Just found this in the spam folder too. Another commentor’s contribution was also in the spam folder. No idea why.
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Don’t short change yourself, Anneli. You are a very precise and creative seamstress. Once you “let go” you will sew some amazing projects.
Your next step is paper piecing. Trust me, it’s fun.
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Flatterer! 😉 Thanks though. I’m looking forward to learning how to do paper piecing.
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Love my “Anneli” bag. I mostly use it to carry my large print bible to my study group. It’s a hefty book. Slippers too. Many compliments go your way 🙂
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That’s really great to hear, Dawn. Thanks.
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Well done! These are beautiful. I want to take up quilting some day.
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Thanks. I feel lucky that the local sewing shop where I bought my machine gives mini workshops and they’re very helpful in getting people started. If you check in your area (wherever that may be), you may be as lucky.
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Ohhhh good to know, thanks.
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I enjoy seeing projects like those and appreciate the work that goes into them.
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Thanks, Terry. I like practical things.
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Very nice job, Anneli. I especially like the blue ones. I know you say you’re a beginner, but I’m not a quilter, so these look like a pro did them to me.
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That’s so nice to hear. Thanks, Lori.
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I love the quality and colors of fabric you chose, Anneli! These are both attractive and durable due to thick textured fabrics. 🙂
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Thanks, Robin. They’re upholstery and drape sample swatches.
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The bags you’ve sewn are beautiful!
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Thanks, Gina. I hope to sew more and put more variety into them.
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