TICKET?.... check ; SHOPPING LIST? .... check ; NEW BAG? ....

check!

Of course I had to make a new bag to take to the Craft Show next week.....

GEAR UP BAG, pattern by Sweetwater (link) two outside
pockets and one inside pocket.  11" x 11" x 3"

Outside fabric - Trefle created by Kokka, made in Japan,
sorry I don't know the maker of the pink spot fabric.

Beautiful fabric flower brooch made by my very clever sister...... love the antique button!

Inside the bag.  I only added one pocket (for the new iPhone), plenty of room for purse,keys and a bottle of water! plus
some rolled up tote bags for all of those purchases!!!

I love the inside fabric - A Stitch in Time - Allover by Nutex N.Z.

This bag went together very quickly.  Easy pattern and instructions.  I decided to make it out of some sewing theme fabric I had as I  already own so many 'handbags' so this bag will become a project bag for craft.

I love the fabric on the inside of the bag.  It was quite funny when I was making the bag, I kept trying to pick off the threads until I realised that they were printed on the fabric!

In other sewing news.....  I finished off a Teddy quilt top that I have had stashed away waiting for the time I needed a gift quilt.

The Beary Bunch, pattern by Toni Alexander - The Red Boot Quilt Company
just washed and out of the dryer!

Triangle label.
I usually do my labels like THIS but this time I tried this method where you cut a square, fold into a triangle and stitch the edges down when you add the binding. I wrote on it after I stitched it into the quilt, using a Pigma pen, then I hand stitched the diagonal fold down to the quilt back. Quick and easy! HERE are a few other label ideas

Pieced backing.  I used up some fabrics that I have had
in my stash for a few years..... great way to use up large
chunks of fabric! Stitch in the Ditch quilting although that often takes longer than doing a free-motion meander all over the quilt top. It gets a bit tricky when you have Appliqué blocks.

I always include a book or two with a quilt and this time
I also put in a little car

The Aiming for Accuracy quilt-along is drawing to an end, we are up to the borders this week.  Here is my quilt top minus borders...

Photo taken outside, quilt pegged to the clothes-line - bit breezy!

I'm a little behind with my Batik version of this quilt.  I'll work on it over the weekend I hope.

I was able to use another June Tailor ruler recently.  We had to make the ticker-tape block (that long skinny brown and orange squares block) and I found that the June Tailor Shape Cut Plus ruler worked perfectly to square up and trim the strips.  You won't be surprised to hear that June Tailor rulers are on my shopping list for the Craft Show !

We are experiencing an extremely hot day today, so not much sewing going on right now.  I'm sitting under the fan playing on my computer and watching Midsomer Murders.  Time for a cup of tea I think.....

Happy Sewing,

Cheers from Helen

COULD I HAVE BOUGHT ANYTHING ELSE?

I had the best day at the Craft Show yesterday! As you will see by the photos, I managed to find a few items to purchase!

Maisy Maisy!! don't you just love the bright colours? Lucky little ? - which one of the little people in my life will I make this quilt for???

I enjoyed making the Flea Market Boxes quilt so much, I decided to put together a stash to make my own version, as I'm giving my Niece Mahala the first quilt (yes, I'm STILL quilting it!).

There was lots to see at the Show. I sat in on another workshop about the X-Block ruler and this time I learnt quite a few new techniques. I have played with this ruler and made a quilt for the Victorian Bushfire Victims (see picture-some blocks cut with x-block ruler) but now I have so many ideas going around in my head as to what I COULD do with it! It's all about colour choice! I already own the 7 1/2" ruler and companion mini, so this time I bought the 6 1/2" X-Block and it's companion mini. I treated myself to the wonderful pattern book ... ONCE UPON A TIME IN X-BLOCKS LAND. I can't wait to try some of the ideas!

The other workshop I did was all about making quilts with curved piecing, something I have never attempted. I did like the drunkards path patch and might play with that another day. I ended up purchasing a ruler which transforms a 6 1/2" square block into one with curved sides. It's called Gadget Guru Twisted Square Mini. It will be interesting to see what I can make with this one. I also purchased a new 6 1/2" square ruler which is supposed to help with squaring up all sizes of blocks. This one is called the Simplicity Studio 6 1/2" simpli-ez square. Also bought easy rule junior which I had read about in magazines but never seen. I'm going to try the WonderFil Invisafil 100wt soft polyester bobbin thread in a quilting project, so bought a mixed box and to do the quilting on my star quilt from the wonder-cut workshop I picked up a reel of Tutti Frutti variegated thread.

The Popsicle Posies quilt was not left out of the shopping trip..... I found three more prints.... and the stash for the Black/White/ many colours baby quilt has a few new pieces added to it as well!

I liked the bright alphabet, so I just had to have it!

Freezer Paper??? yes, I always use it behind any fabric I want to trace onto.

Phew, now I have to go and have a glass of wine! all this blogging has made me thirsty! and it's also made me want to go into my sewing room and cut fabric!

I went to the Show with my Four Friday Friends (the girls) and we all had a great day!

Till next time,

Happy Sewing!