A Few Finishes

Hello Everyone,

Boy, this has just been a terrible week!  I fervently hope that it can be over without any more big news stories.  We woke this morning to the news about the big explosion in West, Texas.  We used to live at Fort Hood, Texas, and whenever we drove back to South Dakota, we would stop in West at the Czech Stop for kolaches.  I'm Czech on my father's side of the family and although no one makes as good kolaches as my Grandma did, theirs are pretty tasty.  (a kolache is a pastry)

I am happy to show some finishes today.  First up is a purse that I've been working on the past week.  When I went to the quilt shop in Manassas (after our Ikea experience) I found this pattern and got it.  It is by Pink Sand Beach Designs and is called "Barbados."

The pattern called for using fusible fleece to provide the substance, however, on other projects, I've used ByAnnie's Soft and Stable and I really like the body that product provides to bags and purses, so I experimented and used it.  Because the Soft and Stable isn't fusible, I had to do some quilting to attach the fabric to the product, but that was easy enough.  The only issue is that I also used it in the lining, and I think that made for a bit too many thicknesses--the lining doesn't lay as nice as I would like, so the next time I make this, I'll use the S&S on the outside, and fleece on the inside.

It is a great size with the necessary pockets for my tastes.  On the front is a zippered pocket as well as a large pocket behind the tan batik accent strip.

The back features a large pocket that is divided into two--perfect for sunglasses and cell phone!

There are two small pockets inside, as well.  Now that I made the pattern, I can see that one could easily add more pockets to the lining. 

I had never made a pattern from this company before.  While I found the pattern to be confusing while just reading it (I always try to read the pattern first, before I start construction) when I was working with the fabric and had a visual in front of me, it was easier to see what was meant in the instructions.  I will be making more of these bags!

Here are my other two finishes:

Our king sized quilt came back from the longarmer!  I bound it entirely by machine. 

While it was in the laundry, getting all crinkly, I made the bedskirt.  Both the binding fabric and the skirt fabric are from Old Glory Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings.  Not surprisingly, I LOVE that fabric line.

Don't forget that you can email me photos of your favorite bindings and please come back tomorrow.  This week I got my one hundredth follower and my next post will be my 250th, so I am celebrating with a giveaway!  See you then!

JoAnne