Almost* Perfect Quilted Tote...

Between the hailstones and torrential rain, I managed to get a few photos worthy of a grand reveal - hurrah!

So Oh Fransson's Perfect Quilted Totes pattern - it's a good one.  I realise that Elizabeth is re-writing all her old patterns, so you are not able to purchase this at present, but if she makes a few tweaks, which she no doubt will, I would recommend it to anyone who can stitch a straight line and likes someone else to work out all the fabric sizes so you don't have to - that'll be me then!

My only observations, which are nothing original I am sure, are that when you cut your QAYG pieces, all that stitching will shrink up the panels a bit, so you will never be able to cut (or stretch) the panels to the stated size.  I just trimmed everything down by 1/4" and it worked out fine.

And as far as the written pattern goes, all instructions and photos are clear and straightforward however, this is a pattern for both tall and wide versions.  The instructions for the wide version continually refer back to the instructions for the tall one, which got a bit frustrating scrolling up and down; but if I had been making the tall version, it would have been perfect.  In an age of cut and paste I cannot see why the instructions couldn't have been duplicated on the pdf version.

When I first topstitched around the top of the tote at the end, I just went for a bog-standard 1/4" all round, but this actually looked a bit ropey because of the quilting already there.  So I unpicked, then re-stitched over the top row of quilting, and as this happened to go right through the magnetic snap, I stopped and started an inch either side and it now looks a tonne neater.  I also opted to hand stitch the facing down on the inside, almost as satisfying as quilt binding, especially as I was watching the Olympics at the time.

So all in all I would recommend the pattern, and love the finished tote.

I used a bundle of scraps, some precious gifted Heather Ross, Melody Miller and Joel Dewberry; so I will be linking this with Sarah at the end of the month.  Yarn Dyed Essex Linen in black for the outside, Pearl bracelets for the lining, and touches of orange Architextures crosshatch for the pockets.  The pattern calls for utility fabric to back the QAYG panels, not entirely sure what that is, but I used up some home dec I received from Terry's Fabrics which had a pattern so huge I couldn't find a better use for it, and it was spot on.  I pieced and quilted the whole shebang in Aurifil 40wt 2021 for a change; the slightly heavier weight worked really well and gives all the quilting that little bit more definition.

Oh and the almost* , a 1/4" seam mis-match on one of the side panel bottom sections.  The top matched perfectly, and without a lot of ripping it wasn't going to be easily fixed by the time I noticed, so I will live with it, I may just stick a badge over it!

#psboxypouch Reveal...

Whilst the sun was out, I took a few snaps of this fab pouch, even if I do say so myself!

This was my first attempt at proper QAYG; slow, takes waaaaay more concentration, measuring, Aurifil and order than making a block and quilting it, but I do love the effect.

I used some of my old scraps, and some of my new ones c/o Reene and Jessie, and went a little out of my usual colour scheme, going into the red more than my safe, happy pink place, and again really pleased I did.

Bonnie-Pink Stitches Boxy Pouch tute is really lovely to follow, and the method of keeping all the raw edges hidden and no-hand finishing the lining is great.

My only niggle, and that is at myself, not the tute, as I know precisely where I went wrong, is that when empty, the lining is a bit baggy.  Next time I will make the lining seam allowances a little bigger, because there will be a next time, oh yes there will!

Linking this, as my final January finish, to Sarah's scrap party...

See, not all my Monday's are doom and gloom xxx

#economyblockalong Reveal...

Yesterday morning, nightie, dressing gown, wellies, mad hair, sunshine and photos, at last!

I love how this mini turned out, Dick 'n' all!  I pulled a couple of big scraps that I had fallen out of love with for the back; and although at first I was just happy to use them up where they wouldn't be seen, I now actually love the madness of the combo...

I used Rita's templates to make the 42 x 5" finished blocks, so it measures up just over 35" x 30".  I quilted each side of the block seams in Aurifil 2021 50wt.  The binding is some cripsy cotton poplin I have had hanging about since I really didn't know what I was doing, and the batting was even made with two pieces fused together.

So I am really pleased to be linking this up with Sarah...

Whilst I was out in the garden looking a bit disturbed, I got some pics of a few more finishes, so don't be fooled into thinking we are having lovely weather at last, it was good for about 3 hours so I made sure I got my money's worth xxx

Awesome Austerity...

Well how could I resist?

As I may have mentioned, I am making a concerted effort to use my stash, rather than mindlessly reverting to shopping for new this year, and my lovely friend Sarah just made that a little bit more acceptable, communal and fun!

My stash consists of 2 unused layer cakes, half a dozen charm packs, no beautifully stacked shelves like a fabric shop here; I rarely buy cuts bigger than FQs, unless it is specifically needed, and even less over a yard.

Most pieces have at least one corner missing or some awkward fussy cut hole, so for all intents and purposes 50% of my stash is scrap.  I know, it's sad isn't it!?

My #economyblockalong mini is 100% from scraps...

Harry Potter was a scrap-magnet..

... except for the backing, as I had a whole stashed 1/2m, and I have already pulled a bundle of scraps to supplement some partial charm packs for a teacher's baby quilt.

So the odds are looking good that I will be regularly linking up with other scrap-busters this year.  How about you?  Pop over to Sarah's, grab the button, and get those scraps working, you know you want to. xxx