Well, I’ve finally gone and done it. My modern quilt guild (Jersey Shore Modern Quilt Guild) had a sew-in day on Saturday, and our very own fabulous Eileen taught us how to make a Sew Together Bag from Kelsey Sews. I’ve wanted to make one for a while, but there are 4 zippers. If you want to make one, you can find the pattern at Craftsy. (This is an affiliate link.)
I had more than a month to prepare my pieces. Eileen instructed us to come to the sew-in with our pieces prepped and ready to go. So, on Friday night I started to pull everything together. I downloaded a paper pieced dachshund from Craftsy. (Thanks, Stars & Sunshine – it’s so cute!). I had to adjust it a bit, but it was pretty easy to get what I was looking for. I layered it with some muslin and wool batting and quilted it on my domestic machine.
All of my doxie fabrics were in one spot (do you believe in miracles?) so it was pretty easy to cut those pieces out. I did some excavating, which resulted in a studio disaster area, but I finally found my zippers, including my jelly bead zippers. (I found mine on Etsy.) I did not find the interfacing I was sure I had, of course.
So, after some frantic preparations Saturday morning, I was off to Joann Fabrics to buy a whole damn bolt of Pellon Shapeflex 101. I live for those 50% off coupons. I won’t be running out again for a while.
I rolled into the meeting only 10 minutes late, and we got down to business. We had so much fun. I tried to race with Sherre, who is a sewing machine disguised as a human person. Somehow she made two bags in the same time that I made one. I won’t be offering to race Sherre again. I learn every day.
Eileen was a fantastic teacher. She managed everyone going at different speeds, and helped make sure everyone left with an awesome bag. This bag is very complicated, and different than anything I have made before. I’ve done zippers a few times, but not like this. I’m very happy with my finished project. I’ll be making another bag soon.
Fun fact – my bolt of interfacing was where I thought it was. Unfortunately, the drawer got a little too full and it popped behind the drawer. I found it the next day. Now I have two bolts. T-shirt quilts, anyone?
Sew Together Bag
Excellent job on the bag! I’m still afraid to tackle making one. Your little doxie is perfect. I love the way paper piecing comes out.
My guild is doing a sew night on my birthday, but the kids made plans for me, so I won’t be sewing. It’s nice having (mostly) grown kids!
That does sound nice! My kids are 20 and 15. They don’t plan things for me, but they do plan things amongst themselves.
Mine are 21 and 31. It’s hard for me to believe I was only 21 when the first one was born. Especially when I still hear, “Mom! He’s touching me!”
Lol. I started early, too. My first was born when I was 23.
Wow! You did it! What a cool bag! I saw this pattern awhile back and now I’ve gotta try it! Very cool jelly zipper also!
Thanks! Definitely try it – it is fun!
What a fun bag! I have made one and have two more cut out. The pattern is not for the faint of heart!
Pretty bag! Love the doxies… my oldest is 34, but he’s adopted, my daughter is 29 I also started early. I hope you bring that pretty bag with you so I can see it!
so cute! and love the big bead zip.
I was just stalking your blog after I read the post about your son (hysterical) and came across this one. Thanks for the props for the bag making, it was a fun sew-in.
What a great bag. Who knew there were so many dachshund fabrics? Did you know that after you put in a picture, if you use this simple html on the line after your picture, it will give a space between the picture and the start of your words? & n b s p ; but there should be no spaces, of course! At least, it works everywhere I have ever blogged! =)
Thanks for the tip. I use the WYSIWYG interface – rarely the HTML. I must have forgotten to do the preview on this page.