Thursday, October 23, 2025

Sew Stylish ~ On the Go 2.0 Bag

The October challenge for Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) Ambassadors was to make a ByAnnie bag.  I chose to make On the Go 2.0.

We were able to choose any ByAnnie pattern with an add on video, plus we got to choose the Island Batik fabrics we wanted to use for our bags.

I chose to make the On the Go 2.0 bag.  ByAnnie sent us all the supplies needed to make this project.  Soft and Stable, zippers, beautiful hardware, fusible interfacing, strapping, magnets, and basting tape.  I chose three fabrics from Island Batik's Fossil Finesse collection to make my bag.

One of the first steps to making most ByAnnie bags is sandwiching the Soft and Stable between your main fabric and your lining fabric and quilting.  I chose to quilt simple straight lines with purple Aurifil thread and Schmetz 90/14 needles.  This is the main (outside) fabric I used for my bag.  Isn't it beautiful?

In this step, I'm making the straps.  This photo shows the beautiful ByAnnie hardware and the coordinating purple fabric I used for the carrying strap, binding, and trim on my bag.

I've made many ByAnnie bags in the past, so I'm familiar with most of her products, but this was my first time using her Double Sided Basting Tape.  I loved this stuff!  It is so easy to use, and she specifically lets you know what steps to use it on in the pattern.  I liked it so much, I used it to secure a few other parts whilst sewing.  This is going to stay in my tool box for future use.

If you've never sewn a bag before, or have trouble with sewing 3D objects, like me, I highly recommend ByAnnie patterns.  They are so wonderfully written, with a check box for every step.  If you need extra help, she has in depth videos on her website.  For this project, I reviewed the Zippers are Easy video and also used the On the Go 2.0 Add On Video for the part where the zipper section of the bag is sewn onto the main body of the bag.  The visuals were super helpful.

I would also recommend having a stash of Wonder Clips handy.  I use them instead of pins almost exclusively when I sew a ByAnnie bag.  

Additional products I used to make my bag include:

   
          Oliso Project Iron                                   Schmetz Needles                            Aurifil Thread

                                   
                                               Bag Front                                              Bag Back

                              
                                       ID slot under flap                                       Inside of Bag

As you can see, it's a really handy bag!  I finished it up yesterday and took it out with me last night.  I wore it cross-body so I could have my hands free.  It's a nice small size, but has plenty of room for my phone, keys, sunglasses and a lip gloss.  Thank you so much ByAnnie and Lumin Fabrics for this fun challenge.

Be sure to visit the other Ambassador's blogs to see the wonderful ByAnnie bags they are making this month.  Here's the list:

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations


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Monday, October 20, 2025

Berry Crush Blog Hop and Giveaway

Hello!  Welcome to the first day of the Berry Crush blog hop.  Thanks for stopping by.  Berry Crush is my new signature fabric collection with Island Batik, Lumin Fabrics, designed by Jerry Khiev.

Disclaimer:  The fabric used to make these quilts was given to me by Island Batik, Lumin Fabrics.
The Berry Crush collection features beautiful colors in a range of pinks and purples. The designs include berries, flowers, and foliage.  It is simply gorgeous and my favorite signature collection so far.  These fabrics make my heart happy.  I hope you feel the same way.  There are 20 fabrics in this collection.  It should be in local quilt shops now.

I made three quilts and patterns to support the Berry Crush fabric line.  Here are my quilts:

The Balcony Bouquet quilt was a joy to design and make.  I used fusible applique for the flower blocks, which I just adore. The alternating pieced blocks are fun and easy to make and complement the applique perfectly.  You can't see it well in this photo, but I custom quilted this piece.  I will show off the quilting in a future post dedicated to the Balcony Bouquet quilt.  This pattern is available in the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop as both a PDF download and as a paper pattern (via U.S. Mail).

Chimes

For the Chimes quilt, I went with a dark palette.  As you can see, the Berry Crush fabrics glow against Island Batik's solid black.  I used the dark blue Berry Crush fabric for the setting triangles in this quilt, and I just love the midnight effect it gives to the design.  This quilt is also set on-point.  All blocks are pieced.  Get the pattern in the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop today!

Lindy Hop

The third quilt I created with Berry Crush is Lindy Hop.  If you love the look of curvy quilts, but don't enjoy sewing curved seams, this pattern is for you!  Lindy Hop uses easy fusible applique to sew these crisp looking curvy blocks.  I used the entire Berry Crush collection for this quilt and had a ball mixing up the colors and fabrics.  You can use as many or as few Berry Crush fabrics as you like to make this stunning quilt.  This pattern is now available in the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop and select quilt shops across the USA.

In conjunction with the Berry Crush blog hop, I am giving away a complete 20 piece fat quarter bundle of Berry Crush, along with a print copy of one of my new patterns (winner's choice).  To enter, please sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this post, or follow me on Facebook or Instagram.  You will receive one entry for each.  Please comment how you follow me in your entry and let me know which pattern you would like if you are selected as the lucky one.  Open to USA residents only, due to shipping costs.  Please be sure you leave me a way to contact you as well.

Thank you so much for visiting today. The Berry Crush blog hop runs from today through October 27th.  I can't wait to see what everyone made for the hop.  It's going to be fun.  Here's the list so you can visit all the blogs this week:

October 20:  Curlicue Creations (you are here)
October 21:  Slice of Pi Quilts
October 22:  The Darling Dogwood
October 25:  Forever Quilting 4 You
October 26:  Textile Time Travels
October 27:  Quilted Delights

 Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today,

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations

For more patterns, fabric, and inspiration, click here to visit the Curlicue Creations Etsy shop.

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Saturday, October 4, 2025

Blue Fairy Frost Quilt and Pattern

Here it is!  The Blue Fairy Frost quilt.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, you may recognize this quilt from a previous post.  I'm sharing it again today to let you know the Blue Fairy Frost pattern is available in the Curlicue Creations Etsy Shop as an instant PDF download, and paper patterns will also be available soon.

The Blue Fairy Frost blocks are so pretty when you put them together!  The pattern is written for easy paper piecing.  I used Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) in a variety of blues and a solid white for the background of my quilt.

I used this white Aurifil thread for piecing and quilting.  

I quilted an allover loopy meander for this quilt.  Lovely.

Blue Fairy Frost
- 50" x 62" quilt pattern with intricate paper piecing
- Icy blue color palette
- Suitable for all quilting skill levels
- Detailed, full-color step-by-step diagrams
- Versatile design for home decor or gift-giving
- Winter-inspired artistic aesthetic

Here's the link to order the PDF instant download Blue Fairy Frost quilt pattern:

If you want to pre-order the printed copy, please let me know and I'll add you my list.

If you sew a Blue Fairy Frost quilt, please share a pic with me on Instagram @curlicuecreations.  I would love to see your quilt!

Coming Soon!
I also wanted to let you know I'm hosting a blog hop beginning on October 20th to promote my newest signature fabric collection with Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics), Berry Crush!  I can't wait to show you these gorgeous color drenched pink and purple fabrics. I have some fabulous quilt designer friends making projects with Berry Crush right now.  I can't wait to see what they make.  I will be giving away a fat quarter bundle of the complete collection during the hop.  Be sure to mark your calendar for October 20 through 27.  It's going to be a lot of fun!

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas
Curlicue Creations


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