Progress on My Recent Projects

I posted on June 22, 2008 that I bought two new patterns. I have started working on both projects. Yes, I still have UFOs to work on and yes, I have started two new projects at once without finishing either project. Oh well, this is how I work. I flip between projects as the mood strikes me.

First up, is Charm Party Tote by Penny Sturges of Quiltsillustrated.com fame. You remember, the company with the motto, “No wimpy bags”. This bag has been renamed, “Charm Walker” by a good friend and you can see why by taking a close look at the picture.

I have been talking about the multiple layers of Pellon fleece in this project and how when this bag is finished it will be able to stand on its own. In fact, I think it will be able to follow me as I walk through the mall. That has advantages as I will have more room to carry shopping bags if my purse can move on its own power.

This bag is only the outer layer so far and it stands pretty well. Imagine how stiff and proud it will stand once it has the Pellon lined pockets which are attached to the Pellon lined lining added!

Last night I looked for this project to show my mother and I couldn’t find it. With all the joking I have been doing about it walking away on its own, I thought maybe it had given up waiting to be finished and had walked itself right out of my studio. But alas, it was there, turned inside out and thus camouflaged against all the other fabric in my studio. What a bag–it has the ability to walk on its own, and can camouflage itself into its surroundings when necessary!

Charm Walker, walk on!

This is the progress thus far on my Halloween version of All About Me by Atkinson Designs. I have plans to make this quilt large–queen bed size. These are only a few of the blocks. I was so anxious to see how it looked that I quickly laid out some of the blocks last night so I could share a picture.

This one could be renamed, All About Fun, because that is exactly what this pattern is, FUN!

My Patterns Finally Arrived

I ordered two patterns from my local quilt shop on May 3. The shop called Thursday to say that they were finally in. Whoo hoo! (That is Pamspeak for Yahoo!!!)

The two patterns were, “All About Me” from Atkinson Designs and “Charm Party Tote” from Quiltsillustrated.

This picture is not my quilt, it is from the cover of the “All About Me” pattern. I plan to use my collection of Halloween fabrics to make this quilt.

This is a picture of the tote from the cover of the “Charm Party Tote” pattern. I have 4 Moda charm packs–two from their “A Little Romance” line and two from their “Sonnet” line.

The “A Little Romance Line” is the softest purple/pink/green collection of fabrics. I started on that tote last night. I am determined to stay as close as possible to the directions on this first tote that I am making. I know the next time I make this pattern I will be making some modifications. The pattern lists fifteen 1/2″ buttons in the supplies required, but if it weren’t for the picture of the finished product, you would have no idea there were buttons on this tote. No where in the pattern directions does it mention when these buttons are supposed to be applied or where. I am applying buttons before putting the lining in the bag so I can hide my threads from the back of the buttons. Also, the pattern designer claims their motto is, “No wimpy bags!”. This bag is anything but wimpy if you make it according to the directions in the pattern–there is fusible fleece applied to the front and back of the bag, fusible fleece applied to the lining, fusible fleece applied to the inside and outside pockets. This bag will definitely be able to stand by itself when I a m done with it. Also, there is no closure on this bag. I am thinking of applying one of those magnetic purse closures to the bag this time. I am looking at other purse / bag patterns to see if there is a way that I can apply a zipper if I make this pattern again in the future.

Today, I am taking a break from working on customer quilts. I have been working on the WFC–that is Wacky FAB Challenge. I can’t show pictures as this is totally secret. It is a secret for the person that I am exchanging with and for everyone else. On the agreed upon date (or sooner if everyone is finished ahead of time), all FABs will log online at the same time and open our exchanges. This should be fun. There has been a lot of teasing and hinting going on–but no one is revealing what they are making.