Get your sewing Artsy on with this project!

You would love making the Artsy Purse. The construction process is intriguing being you embellish the panels with strip piecing, beautiful threads, or prairie points. I suppose there could be loads of things you could embellish the panels with before you construct the purse, making it a very artistic and customized purse that represents your style perfectly! Also, the binding also lines the pockets - clever!
I love seeing how a project makes up in different fabrics - each having a unique flavor!

Just embellishment stitching with metallic threads.

Strip piecing in greys!

Strip piecing with metallic threads and beading in browns! Put money into a single spendy button!

Added prairie points!

Basic pattern, Asian flair fabric!

Strip piecing with batik fabrics and metallic threads - cover photo!

Love my Easy Slider!

So I use my Easy Slider satchel every single week! The shorter below is perfect for carrying a notebook. Or the longer version, great for my laptop! The shoulder straps are threaded through some loops which makes the satchel cinch up when carrying it or when it is on your back. I really like the option of being able to throw my bag on my back if my shoulders get tired. It's great ergonomically!

Vanilla House pattern P194

Macie's back, btw!!

Sewing from point to point!

It can be challenging sewing a straight line from a particular point to another particular point without some for of reference except the ending points. The Manhattan Bag below has seams sewn on the folds of the bag and represent the technique I am addressing:

 When you have the purse panel flat, you sew from point 1 to point 2 to point 3, and to finish at point 4. There are no guide lines. I put pins at all points and simply sight from pin to pin and sew for it!!!!. 

Sometimes, I press crease marks from point to point, then sew on the crease lines.  This works pretty well.

A third method would be to use seam tape or some kind of 1/4" masking tape. The following picture shows what we mean:

I tried to put tape on all three seams but this particular tape started to fall off before I could finish the seams. Though I love this tape, a different tape might work better for this technique. I sewed right next to one side of the tape.

More projects for the Sisters Quilt Show!

Two more projects made up for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show! -- showing a the Stitchin' Post! Wish I were going this year!

Here's the description of the Quilt Show from their website:

"Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show™ (SOQS) is internationally recognized as the world's largest outdoor quilt show and quilt sale displaying more than 1300 quilts representing fiber artists from around the world.
More than 10,000 visitors from all 50 states and 27 foreign countries flock to Sisters on the second Saturday in July. Master quilt makers teach classes and workshops during Quilt Week and exhibit their quilts at our annual Quilt Show. In addition, hundreds of quilts are displayed in our "show-and-tell" exhibits - first time quilters, youth, quilts made by men - throughout the town of Sisters. Quilt exhibitors range in age from 10-92."

Here's the last two projects I sent to the Stitchin' Post.Thanks to Jean Wells for letting me participate in a small way!

Manhattan Bag! P220! Love her fabric choices!

Ergo Oven Mitt! P217! The weird-shaped oven mitt!

Boo is in on the photo shoot!

Nabou (or Boo) is getting in on the photo shoot! She is now about 15 (human) years old. Though pretty, she is scruffy   -- cause she won't let me brush her anymore without nipping me! 

Nabou (Boo)! with Manhattan Bag (P220)

Other Market releases!

So here's the other three patterns we are releasing at Spring Quilt Market!

"Wall Buckets" P218

Comes in two sizes: one that fits a sheet of paper and another #10 envelopes. A dozen appliques available to download with the address found inside the pattern.

Simple way to turn the double-folded trim at the corners!

"Manhattan Bag" P220

Love the vertical zipper! Size is 13" deep by 12" x 5".

"Fabric Caddies" P221

Use segments of 4" diameter PVC pipe to create these fabric covered caddies. 3", 4", 5", and 6" tall. Six appliques included.

Artsy Purse!

Artsy Purse is one of my favorite things to make. They make fast -- even if you are doing the strip pieced version with metallic thread embellishments. And I love sewing with metallic threads -- have I mentioned it is addictive! I guess it is somewhat the 'bling' effect that hooks me!

Artsy Purse, P204

Free motion metallic threads on plain front pocket panels.

Grey and strip piecing!

There are two straps, each about 40" long or the width of the fabric. Every technique in the purse is easy, easy. Lined but no pockets. The whole purse is 7" wide by 10" deep so you hardly need a pocket. You could put one in if you want -- wouldn't be that hard!! 
I also use polyester fusible interfacing - love the way it drapes inside a project.

Artsy Purse - Very Addictive!

Patterns this spring are very addictive to make (at least five of the six -- I won't tell you which one I am not that interested in making over and over!) But truly, I love making the Artsy Purse (P204), especially metallic thread embellishment! I could do this all day -- trying all the different thread colors!

This is the brown batik version. The purses look exceptionally good in batiks and metallic threads. I chose brown batiks so I could use my gold metallics. Notice all the beading. 

I think I made about seven of these purses -- so far -- plan on making more. Stay tuned for the cover purse, which is in aqua/turquoise - yum!!

All of our new patterns will be available around the middle of May!