Thursday, September 30, 2021

Divide and Conquer ByAnnie Bag Challenge

Pshew!  Here I am posting about my byAnnie bag on the last day of September.  I just barely finished this morning.  I've had so many things pulling me away from sewing time in the last month.  I'm actually making two bags, this is the smaller size.  The large sized bag is about 3/4 of the way done at this time.  I'll show it on another post when it's complete.

Disclosure:  The products used to make this bag were given to me by Island Batik, ByAnnie.com, Aurifil Thread, and Schmetz Needles.


This month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge was so much fun! We got to choose a bag pattern from ByAnnie and we also selected the fabrics we wanted to use to make the bags.  I've been wowed by the other ambassador's bags all month long.  They're all so beautiful and useful.  ByAnnie seems to have a bag for every situation.

I chose to make the Divide and Conquer bags.  I was sent this wonderful kit that included everything I need to make the bags.  ByAnnie's Soft and Stable, zippers by the yard, mesh in two colors, interfacing, vinyl, and beautiful hardware to give the bags a professional finished look.

I chose the new Autumn Wings fabric collection by Island Batik.  This fabric features butterflies in beautiful fall colors.  Fall is my favorite season and I knew we would be making the bags in September, so it was a good fit.  You should be able to find Autumn Wings in your local quilt shops now.

Here's a look at the pattern.  Divide and Conquer.  It makes a personal sized carry on bag in two sizes.  Both bags look like little suitcases and have zippered sections to organize and store whatever you like.  The pattern also comes with a coupon code for byAnnie's video tutorial of how to make this bag.  The included instructions are excellent, but the videos are equally helpful, especially if you need clarification on how to do a step or two.

Another nice feature of ByAnnie patterns is they come with a sheet of tags to copy and cut out to label all of the pieces.  I made my copy on sticker paper so I could easily label everything and just as easily remove the labels.

Before anything is sewn together the main fabric, lining fabric, and Soft and Stable are quilted together.  I used Aurifil thread color 2315 and quilted with Schmetz needles.


This is the front of my bag.  It has a roomy outside pocket.

The back of the bag also has a zippered pocket, plus a velcro strap so you can attach your bag to a rolling luggage rack.

The inside of the bag features four mesh zippered pockets for organizing your things.  I'll probably use this small bag to carry my needlework projects when I go to the beach or elsewhere.  This will be great for my EPP projects.

There area also two roomy see thru vinyl zippered pockets, one on each side of the bag.  These are big enough to carry a novel, or sketchbook.  I like to bring a sketchbook when I travel.  You never know when inspiration will strike.

Divide and Conquer Bag
Bag Stats:
Bag Finished Size:  9-1/2" x 13-1/2" x 6-1/2"
Fabric:  Autumn Wings by Island Batik
Thread:  Aurifil
Pattern:  Divide and Conquer, byAnnie.com

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Pssst!  Did you enter my giveaway for the Quilted Gnomes for your Home pattern book?  There's still a few days left to enter.  Click here to see my Gnomes All Around quilt and enter the giveaway.

Also, be sure to visit my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors to see their beautiful bags, too!  Here's the list:

Megan Best ~
Bestquilter
Pamela Boatright ~
Pamelaquilts
Elizabeth DeCroos ~
Epida Studio
Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting
Jennifer Fulton ~
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Joanne Hart ~
Mania Hatziioannidi ~
Emily Leachman ~
Denise Looney ~
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Maryellen McAuliffe ~
Claudia Porter ~
Gail Renna ~
Brianna Roberts ~
Michelle Roberts ~
Gail Sheppard ~
Andi Stanfield ~
Jennifer Thomas ~
Janet Yamamoto ~

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

New items added weekly!

This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Mill House Spring Quilt and Pattern

New Quilt and Pattern Alert!  This is my Mill House Spring quilt in the beautiful new Flutterfly fabric collection by Island Batik.

This pattern includes a quick and accurate method for making the hourglass units featured in this quilt.


The gold and green borders frame the bright hourglass blocks perfectly.

This sweet quilt finishes at 41" x 49".  It's a great size for a baby gift or to brighten up a wall in your home.

I quilted Mill House Spring with Hobbs Heirloom Cotton batting and a rainbow variegated thread in a fun loopy meander design. 

It adds a charming touch to my front porch.

I used a deep pink Island Batik fabric for the back of my quilt.

The quilt binding is made from the same green fabric as the outer border.  I like my binding to blend in, rather than accent the edge of the quilt.



Mill House Spring
Quilt Stats:
Finished Quilt Size:  41" x 49"
Block Size:  4" x 4"
Fabric:  Flutterfly, by Island Batik
Batting:  Hobbs Heirloom Cotton

The pattern for Mill House Spring is available now in the Curlicue Creations shop.  
 

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas


This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Friday, September 24, 2021

Gnomes All Around Quilt

Let me introduce you to these four little guys:  Gnomes All Around.

This quilt and pattern is featured in the new Annie's Quilting book, Quilted Gnomes for your Home.  If you love Gnomes, this book is for you.  There is a variety of projects and each one is cuter than the last.  Most of them look quick to make, too.  I have an extra copy of this book to give away at the end of this post for one lucky reader.

I designed and made four of the Gnome blocks for my quilt.  The blocks are partly paper pieced, with fusible applique nose and pompom on the hat.  This one still needs the hat pompom.
I used Island Batik's new Free to Fly fabric collection.  These fabrics should be in your local quilt shop now.

I had a lot of fun quilting this project.  I used Aurifil  thread, and Hobbs Heirloom Cotton Batting for beautiful results.

As you can see, I quilted various loopy designs in the background and borders.  I quilted a back and forth line to accent the folds on the Gnome hats.

I also quilted vertical lines on the blue parts of the Gnomes and gave them curly quilting in their beards.  That was fun and adds a cute touch.

More loops and wishbone quilting for the center green.  

This quilt looks cute on my front porch stitching bench.  It would be lovely as a table topper for dining alfresco on the patio as well.  Currently, it's on the wall in my kitchen, by my country style dining table.

I used a turquoise blue Island Batik fabric for the back.  It coordinates nicely with the Free to Fly fabrics in the top.

I bound Gnomes All Around with the same blue fabric as I used in the outer border for a beautiful finish.

Gnomes All Around
Quilt Stats:
Finished Quilt Size:  29" x 29:
Block Size:  12" x 12"
Fabric:  Free to Fly, by Island Batik
Batting:  Hobbs Heirloom Cotton
Thread:  Aurifil

Note:  The products used to make this quilt were given to me by Island Batik and industry partners.
The Quilted Gnomes for Your Home book is available now at the Annie's website.  Hop on over and get your copy now.  I have one copy to give away.  Leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing.  I'll choose a name randomly next week for the winner.  USA only, due to shipping costs.  Please be sure I have a way to contact you via email should you be the lucky one.  Just for fun, please let me know in your comment if you have or have ever had a Garden Gnome.  

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas


Note:  This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you do make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.

Monday, September 20, 2021

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop ~ Week of 09/20/2021

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Enchanted Pines Dawn, by McKenna Ryan, for Robert Kaufman. Fat quarter cut, 100 percent cotton. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric features an allover blue and purple leaf pattern over a light blue background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of high quality quilting fabric, Cats that Cook, by Cheri Strole, for Moda Fabrics is 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash cold water, tumble dry low.

The design on this fabric is a lovely green vine with an occasional red leaf flower pattern. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

A beautiful cut of quilting fabric, Cranberry Glitter Quilt fabric. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash warm, tumble dry, remove promptly.

The design on this fabric features a sprinkling of glitter over a dark cranberry background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!


Blue Scrolling Buds Fat Quarter
A beautiful cut of quilting fabric, Blue Scrolling Buds Quilt fabric, by Legacy Studio, for Jo-Ann's. 100 percent cotton, fat quarter cut. Easy care, machine wash warm, tumble dry, remove promptly.

The design on this fabric features white and gold scrolling vines over a blue background. Perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative!

This beautiful piece of cotton has been individually hand dyed by Island Batik fabric artists in the garden village of Sanur, Bali. 100 percent cotton fabric. Easy care, machine wash cold water, delicate dry cycle, cool iron.

The design on this fabric features an abstract deep pink/purple color. This fabric is perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. So unique - be creative! Fat Quarter Cut.
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For all these and more fabulous finds, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations shop.
New items added weekly!

Coming up soon - New Island Batik precuts and yardage!  

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas

Accuquilt Dynamic Promo
This is an affiliate link.  Clicking this link will not affect the purchase price.  However, if you so make a purchase, I may receive a commission.  Thank you.