Travelling Companions

A weekend spent celebrating a friend's special birthday.  Gail was 70 today and we've enjoyed a weekend of birthday celebrations.  A formal dinner at an hotel on Saturday evening followed by a buffet lunch at her home today.  Gail holidays very regularly and a trio of bags will be useful - hopefully.

You'll recognise Emily's Accessories fabric!

The tote bag was taken from a tutorial by S.O.T.A.K Handmade 

Gail's Ipad will fit inside and perhaps a book/magazine/travel info in the front pocket. 

Here it is again!  Annas Sminkepung

- good to keep her leads and adapters safely stored

Well, using this fabric, a Shoe Bag had to be included

"Happy Birthday, Gail"

"All About Anna"

 

I recently purchased a PDF tote pattern from Stephanie Dunphy of Loft Creations called "All About Anna" and I'm delighted with the result.

 

Anna measures 15 1/2" W x 3" D by 11" H (19" with handle drop).  My fabric is called "Asian Harmony" designed by Lonni Rossi for Andover Fabrics and I used a Madeira Rayon thread for quilting.  The bag front has a pocket divided into 3 and the back also has the lovely pieced top. 

 

Anna may be made using purchased handles, but there are instructions for fabric ones.  I didn't have sufficient fabric to make the "pattern" handles and used black webbing with fabric stitched down the centre.  I've used this method before and really like the result.

 

Stephanie says to use a "fantastic" button, but I struggled somewhat in finding one with a shank and in the end cut one from a "not worn anymore jacket"!!!

 

 

 

 

And then there were two!!



When my DH saw my blue Anna he suggested I make one for our neighbour who very kindly takes in parcels when we are away.   This time my fabric is from Makower UK called  "Emily's Accessories".  The collection has some lovely small panels, which are depicted on the "Emily Scroll" fabric, and I cut 2 strips and then made the bag in the same way as before.  My thread was Superior Gold Metallic  for quilting around the small panels and a greeny coloured McKenna Ryan thread for the front pocket and bag back. 

 

 

 

Stephanie has some lovely bags on her website and I especially like her latest creation "Caity - Did"

Now I really must stop enjoying myself and get back to Chateau Hexagon Button of the Month, unless my DH thinks of other worthy "Anna" recipients!!

Frill Top Bag

Having made my Bed Runner earlier in the year I still had quite a stash of Moda French General Rouenneries Deax fabric

 

I also had a pattern from Quilter's Trading Post for a dear little summery bag.  It's rather sweet and measures 9" in height and 11" in width with a 3 1/2" bottom.  The pattern states 3 x Fat Quarters for the outer bag, base and handles and 50 cm for the lining and frill, but I pulled scraps from my stash.  The bag is lined in the same fabric as the frill, handles and base.

I deviated somewhat from the pattern instructions and stitched the front and back panels using "quilt as you go" method and to keep their shape I inserted TV cable in the bag handles.  Although the bag bottom had been quilted it was still quite soft and to maintain a neat shape and create a firm base I covered a piece of cardstock with wadding, which was then glued (using PVA glue)  onto the base and this was then hidden by the lining. 

Another little gift??