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!

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.

Another Really, Really Big Bag!

Here's another Really, Really Big Bag in different fabric. I like this one too!

This bags are so great to carry all my 'junk' around!!

New Spring Patterns - Paper or Epattern!

We finally have our Spring 2015 patterns ready for the world to see!! Yeah! It's always a lot of work getting to this point and always a little nerve-racking -- always asking myself, " are they actually, finally, really  -- ready?. Took so long to get them done! 

So the first one to show is called, "The Really, Really Big Bag". It is really a huge bag, that holds everything from A to Z. I personally love it! When I have a lot of stuff, like a purse, a camera, a laptop, a coat, etc. -- I use this bag to collect everything in one spot and carrying it altogether. It really works great.........

A traditional paper pattern OR now available as an Epattern!

There are longer straps to carrying the bag on your shoulder OR shorter handles to carrying by hand.
There is a zipper pocket on the inside to carry things like your wallet that you might want more secure. And there is a scrunchy type band to help keep everything inside.  

Rather easy to make. You could make it in an evening. You could leave out the zipper pocket and it would go faster but the zipper pocket is awesome, so you wouldn't want to leave it out!! 

One of the reason they take so long to get written, I have online video overviews and/or tutorials that accompany the pattern. Lot more work on our part but much better for you.

And the Biggest News of all, it is available as a traditional paper pattern OR as an Epattern you can download from the website. Jacob is the site master and has a dozen Epatterns (I think a dozen so far) ready to go.

Everyday Satchel! inspired by Sarah!

This great satchel was inspired by my daughter, Sarah, who finds it extraordinarily easy to carry everything in it, and keep one strap on your shoulder as you search inside.

This version has the bow!

This version has the ruffle on the front!

Easy Slider!

My laptop backpack called "Easy Slider" has a great technique. When you put the back on, there are loops at the top of the satchel that the straps slide through, making and keeping the opening closed and secure.

The straps slide through the loops to keep the satchel closed.

 

Smaller Easy Slider for tablets!