Bag No. 5 and Quilting

I finished Bag No 5 for the Zihuatanejo Bag Project and those 5 bags are in the mail.  There is a posting on the Creative Chicks blog that, due to a change in plans, they now have enough bags.  I have an email into them to see if I need to send in the original 10 that I signed up for or just this five that are done.  I sure wouldn't mind sending 5 more since these bags are cute and easy to make - and it is such a good cause.  We'll see if any more are on the horizon.  This fabric was leftover from two earlier projects - one is the top called Laundry Day at the Beach that is in the stack waiting to be quilted.  It'll be done soon ...

Bag No. 5

Laundry Day at the Beach

I also have actually started quilting tops like I said I would.  This is the one that is on the frame now.  It is the 10-Minute Block top made with the leftovers from another quilt.  The middles of the blocks (here it's that center block with the butterflies) will get marked with a template for a ring of hearts, so this top is taking a little longer to quilt, but I'm making progress now!

Whipping Along With the Bags

Today's finish was another one for the Zihuatanejo Bag Project (see sidebar button).  My Bag No. 4 uses another leftover strip from a 2009 quilt.  Here is the finished bag (showing a little of the pocket inside) and the original quilt.  The original quilt used blocks I received in a block swap from the Mailblocks Yahoo Group.

Another Project Million Amigos Bag

I finished up another one of the bags for Mexico (see button on my sidebar) with a leftover strip from a quilt I donated in 2009 as decoration.  I was interrupted in the middle of making the quilt and when I resumed sewing, the half-square triangle strips weren't the same size (it's that 1/4 inch thing striking again), hence the leftover strip.  So inspiration struck and I found a use for it on this project.  Not a bad idea to have a few orphan blocks around!  This one has a matching pocket inside.

Here's the bag and the original quilt:

Looking forward to quilting another top tomorrow!

What's in Process

I've just been dabbling at a few things - jumping from one project to another.  Here's a few projects that are now in the works in the sewing room:
(1)  The  Sunny Days blocks from this post
 http://quiltingwithelves.blogspot.com/2010/11/whats-on-design-wall.html
are growing in numbers and I’ve been fiddling around with a few layout ideas.

To see what dark sashing would look like.

No sashing - would need to have more blocks and add borders.

Don't think I want to add alternating dark blocks.

The secondary design has stars - would need to add one last column on the right to complete the effect.

 (2) A friend is a member of a church that is collecting gifts so that children can select a gift to give their parents for Christmas.  I am making a few of the criss-cross coasters from this site.  These are fun, look cute and most of all, are quick and easy!

http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

Set of four - shows two criss-cross fronts and two backs.

Second set of four - didn't take picture of backs.

(3) I have cut out, but not quite finished the embellishments, on two more Project Amigos bags - see the button on my sidebar for more information.

That's it for today!

Perfect Project for Instant Gratification

UPDATE:  Nov 24, 2010 - The Creative Chicks Blog has a note that, due to a change in plans, they now have enough bags.

I was given a few yards of denim material by a "hey, neighbor" (you know - the ones that you don't know very well, but you always wave and are friendly to because they have a dog like yours and that you say "hey" to?).  Well, she had heard from a neighbor that I do know well that I sewed and quilted so she thought of me when clearing out stuff before she moved (what a nice person!).  I was pleased to receive the fabric but didn't have an immediate use in mind.

So, yesterday, whilest looking at all the beautiful quilts posted at Blogger's Quilt Festival, I found the most wonderful project that would use the denim.  Over at Creative Chicks,

http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2010/09/introducing-project-million-amigos.html

the three sisters described their group's effort to collect 500 simple bags for school children or for use as market bags, etc.  Bingo!  The denim would be perfect for this use.

The sisters go on to say that their children are in Spanish Immersion School and each spring break a group from their school community travels to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for a service project organized thru http://projectmillionamigos.org/

There are some simple parameters for making the bags and a tutorial if you'd like on their blog.  I made up two prototypes last evening and today and they work up fast.  I was slowed down a little when attaching the handles - sewing thru 8 layers of denim at the seam is tough! - but my Viking pulled through like a real trouper.  Without denim, that part would have been a snap and I also have some poplin (or sailcloth, I can't remember) that would be good to use, too - strong enough but not industrial strength like the denim.  Embellishing is going to be fun!

Sew on three sides (have pocket sewn if desired)

Sew across corners if want flat bottom bag

Trim Corners

Turn under top edge and topstitch

Add handle (with denim I didn't fold under & into the top seam)



Shows inside pocket



Prototype with pockets

Prototype with fabric strip

My bags are the same size - the way the handles are hanging make them look slightly different.  I think I can make at last 8 more since they don't have to be finished until March of 2011.

Check out the Creative Chicks blog if you are looking for a simple worthwhile task in between other projects!  If I can figure out how, I will add a button to my blog.

The following photos show part of my process and my two prototypes - one has just a decorative strip and the other has an inside and outside pocket.  I like the pockets and think I will always add at least one pocket on all the next finishes.