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Friday, July 25, 2014

Two Choices

In a fit of pique` Mr. Thimblepie said "you'd rather quilt than do housework!" What better way to stop a disagreement, than to make a statement such as that?

A long standing goal of mine was to complete the Modern Quilt Guild Michael Miller Fabric Challenge. The deadline is at midnight, tonight, and I finished with hours to spare. Phew! I chose a pattern called "The Two-Hour Tulip Purse" designed by Janice D. Pope. It took me longer than two hours, but was not technically difficult.  I wanted to make a tincture bag that could hold 4 ~ 4 oz. bottles and other toiletries, so I added elasticized inner pockets. It has a magnetic closure snap, a detail I hadn't used before, but really loved. They are inexpensive and easy to put in without tools. Handle Instructions: Cut two strips 2 3/4" wide by length you desire. The challenge fabric was 20" long, so that is how long these orange cuties are. ( I prefer a few inches longer.) I used light batting as stabilizer, cut 1 1/2 " by length of strap. In a June blog I showed ironing it, using a bias tape maker, but the idea is to lay the batting on the wrong side of the strap and iron the edges of the strap over the batting, lengthwise. Then fold the strap over again lengthwise and iron, and topstitch the edges. It does make a good, firm strap.

5 handy pockets and room for lots of stuff.

The front pocket is quilted.

Sturdy handles, to fit over your shoulder, and the tote can be tucked under your arm.





The nifty bottom sits flat.

Ta-Da!!
Chai gives her seal of approval. I am breathing a sigh of satisfied relief. Love to finish a project.

8 comments:

  1. Great bag! And I would rather sew than do housework too!

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    1. Men say the funniest things! My sister Pam Cope at http://www.kittenbritches.com/ told me her kids once said she loved quilting more than she loved them. I <3 quilting.

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  2. Super cute! I love your feature fabric! Congrats on your finish.

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I love the month to month challenge of finishing a project and writing about it. It has changed my life. That Michael Miller print and the orange handle were both challenge fabrics, so yummy.The sides of the bag ar MM Army green.

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  3. That's a great-looking bag. I love all the pockets. How did you make the handles? Do they have batting inside?

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    1. Good Morning Nancy!

      Thanks for your kind words. Handle Instructions: Cut two strips 2 3/4" wide by length you desire. The challenge fabric was 20" long, so that is how long these orange cuties are. ( I prefer a few inches longer.) I used light batting as stabilizer, cut 1 1/2 " by length of strap. In a June blog I showed ironing it, using a bias tape maker, but the idea is to lay the batting on the wrong side of the strap and iron the edges of the strap over the batting, lengthwise. Then fold the strap over again lengthwise and iron, and topstitch the edges. It does make a good, firm strap. Happy Sewing. I look forward to visiting your blog to see your lovely finish. xo Jane

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  4. Very nice, and way to go on meeting the deadline!

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    1. Thanks, Patti. I am floored by some of the entries, but it feels good to have mine done and in, like an online quilt show. Tough judging, I'd say. Happy Sewing.

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