Needlebook

Take a Ted Baker Make-Up Bag...

add Space Dyed Fabric, stand back and enjoy!

Inside of bag showing flap enclosed pocket with sections for pencil, marker pen, etc and  zippered pocket

Just love how the Lime Green fabric adds a little "zing"

My Pincushion is filled with Ground Walnut Shells and to retain the shape of the central Yoyos I've enclosed buttons and stitched through them to attach.

Are you able to see the lovely little Bird Zipper Pull?
(must remember to remove the protective film!)

Nearly forgot this dear little Tape Measure nestling amongst the Yoyo fabrics!

"Seaside Rose"

Each time I visit my collection of Seaside Rose fabrics for Moda by 3 Sisters I pick up this little block left over from a quilt made for a neighbour's daughter some years ago.  Zara now lives in Portugal with her parents and I wonder sometimes whether she still has her quilt.

You may recall my friend Ann's DIL still doesn't have a bag, so over a cold and rainy Bank Holiday I decided that Seaside Rose must shine again.  My collection of bag patterns includes one by Sarah Wellfair of Goose Chase Quilting called "5 Fat Quarters".  The pattern gives 3 sizes and the middle one was perfect for finally using Zara's Block.

I used fusible Vilene 640 for the outside fabric and fusible Vilene 630 for the lining. 

Pretty lining and, of course, a pocket completes the bag.
(Sarah's pattern includes instructions for fitting a zipper panel along the top, but that's for next time!)

I'm a little sad to see this block leave and hope Ann's DIL will enjoy using her bag.

Sarah is author of the "Simply" books - Simply Squares, Strippy, Bags, Christmas, Charming, Scrappy, Gifts etc.

A Tote without Charm!

Ann, my "Pink Friend" was so delighted with her birthday bag that she asked me to make a similar one for her daughter in law "but not so pretty".   Sadly, I've failed the test and Ann now has 2 bags and her poor DIL has nothing because Ann can't bear to part with either!!

The design has been taken from Charm Square Tote Bag pattern by The Bramble Patch, but instead of using Charm Squares I've taken a solid piece of fabric from my Moda Seaside Rose collection and quilted wavy lines using Valdani Hand Dyed Variegated thread "Early Spring", which matches the fabrics so perfectly.

Cream webbing was used for the handles, to which I attached a strip of Seaside Rose fabrics down the centre and machine embroidered into place.  A divided pocket was added for good measure.