A Quilted Bag the Reminds Me of Creature Comforts.

Some say people don't change. I am here to say they do and I am proof. When I was a teen, I backpacked Bahamian bush for 2 days, cooked on a hand-built campfire, overnight primitive camped, and bathed in the ocean among stingrays. As a newlywed, my husband and I bought a pass to the State Parks and took full advantage of the varied landscapes in the state of Texas. We would steal away on weekends and vacations to hike Enchanted Rock, camp with the alligators in Brazos Bend and wade in Pedernales Falls among others. We explored, learned to live off the land and enjoy the simple things. Our quarters ranged from primitive sites and dug latrine to a small tent and out house shacks.

Now that I am all the way grown up, I am so over it! I am an Airbnb, hotel with a lazy river, automatic toilets and customizable breakfast omelets, kind of woman. I have ticked those boxes, had and seen the benefit of those camping experiences. I have no interest in relivining them. I may be convinced to revisit  my former self, but if I do, it will be in the direction of glamping experiences. 

The "I'd Rather Be Glamping" is a fun ode an elevated outdoors experience. 

I love these fun prints and knew they would play together well in a fun weekender bag.

         

Simplicity 2600 is a quilted bag with piping and bias trim accents that would be a great pattern to use these fun fabric.

I chose the Main Mint for the bag body, the Pinwheels Mint as the accent pockets and the Blue Bouquets for the lining. It has been awhile since I quilted fabric so I was looking forward the refresher.

           

After cutting the fabric I marked 2 diagonal lines across the middle of each top piece they served as guidelines for the diamond pattern. I layered my lining fabric right side down, topped with Dream Cotton Batting from Harts Fabric, and top fabric right side up. I used a quilting gauge to get consistent, even quilt lines. 

The bag was not a quick project to make in a day. The quilting and binding are time-consuming, but none of the construction tasks are difficult. I love the the bag and the little details that make it special.

To play up the "extra" factor of glamping, I used metallic silver bias binding and piping to accent the seams, straps and pockets.

 

I added 1-inch D-rings to the tabs. They make it easier to zip, but give me the option to add a shoulder strap in the future. This is a large capacity bag (13in.Hx20in.Wx11in.D) and I will likely want to toss it over my shoulder for my quick trip from the car to whatever air conditioned comfort I am seeking.

I added metal feet to the base of the bag to keep it off the ground.

There is a front pocket and a side pocket with contrast fabric. The back of the bag does not have a pocket and it showcases the fabric fully.

The two outside pockets are backed with a pop of the lining fabric. 

The lining has the contrast of the exterior fabric for pop on the inside pocket.

 This Lori Holt Grannys teapot charm is the perfect zipper pull for this bag. It adds just that little bit of happy as a finishing touch.

This bag will get lots of use this summer for adventuring with the family. We will explore our world, expand our minds, increase our creativity and avoid snakes!

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Fabric I Have Anticipated For Months

When you wear a full length yo-yo Kimono to Quilt Market, you are bound to connect with fabric loving people. That is what happened when I went to the Riley Blake Designs booth last Fall. I talked fabric with many of the designers and daydreamed of projects to make with all of their fun and interesting designs. I spent considerable time with Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs. I enjoyed seeing her earlier collections and I fell in love with her newest collections Gem Stones.

These designs are fantastic! The prints feature an ombre confetti pattern that runs from selvedge to selvedge. There is a kaleidoscope of color choices with an underlying texture and metallics.

My excitement for this collection was evident and we discussed a collaboration to trumpet the release of the collection which is now available!

From the collection, I chose Multi Blue Raspberry though I LOVE every color and variation. I am obsessed with the vertical direction of this ombre design and the saturation of the colors. I chose to make Simplicity 8146, an easy summer sundress.

This simple dress pattern showcases the fabric without being busy or having complicated pieces.

The layout of the fabric required some thought to maintain continuity of design. 

I tied it all together by choosing the darker section of the fabric for the front and back ties and shoulder straps. 

I made the size medium of the pattern and did not like the bodice fit. The dress is meant to have a blousing effect in the bodice. The medium was too big and required the insertion of 2 darts in the underarm seams.  On the inside, I folded in 2 inches at the top and tapered to a point at the waistline. It was a quick fix to remove 4 inches from the side seams.

Slight fit issues aside, this is a fast dress to make and will be a summer staple for me. 

My son did not see me make this dress, only the completed photos. His first question was to ask if I dyed the fabric myself because it "looks just like something you would do"! That made me so happy! I was drawn to it when I  saw it and love the dress I made with it.  

Happy Sewing,

Bianca