Sunday, February 2, 2014

Road 2 California Show

 How many things other than quilts have you made? Garments, curtains, slipcovers, bags? I think many of us have made bags. I've constructed about 6 of them and tried another one this week. I went to the Road 2 California quilt show in Ontario, CA and chanced upon the ByAnnie.com booth. Annie has come up with a lot of really cute bags (this is the On The Go bag) and a new "batting" that is soft yet sturdy and makes the bag stand up rather than collapse.

I have to admit, this was a BEAR of a pattern to construct. It took me about 12 hours to make this little bag! Of course, all the seams are bound with bias binding and there are a lot of pockets and "see through" areas for ID and an adjustable strap which required watching a video on her website to figure out! 

The pattern was pretty clearly written but I still ended up with a couple of extra pieces I cut and one part of the directions I never figured 
out--! But that's a lot better than most patterns I've used.

Were I to make this again (which will be never!) I would use a thinner batting. It was such a struggle to get around inner corners using this very thick product she recommended for this small purse. I will use it though for a larger bag that doesn't call for binding in inner seams! 

I also splurged on this portable "Sew-EZI" sewing table! I've wanted one for years and when I set it up in the living room, next to the fireplace, across from the TV and in sight of my kitty, Bobo I was in heaven! It's super sturdy and even when I'm sewing "peddle to the metal", there's no vibration or shaking at all! It folds up very easily, stores in a very nice case and off you go!

Did you post to Judy's Design Wall Monday today? I'd love to see what you've been working on!