Lots of projects in various stages in my sewing room this week. It is actually kind of fun to have multiple things going on. I sew a while, cut for a bit, practice a little FMQ – none of it feels tedious because I am moving back and forth between projects.
My main sewing machine is being very cranky right now so I am sewing on my smaller machine. I love this machine though – the tension is not sensitive and it sews like a little work horse. Much like The Little Engine That Could, this machine just keeps going (I think I can, I think I can.) I really miss the needle down feature and the thread cutter on my bigger machine though. Makes such a difference when I am sewing for a long period of time.
Anyway… Here is what’s going on:
I am working on my 241 tote bag that I mentioned in this post last week. This project has become so much fun because after reading that post, Tami from Sew Much for Free Time commented that she was also going to make a 241 tote. We did a bit of emailing back and forth and decided we would have our own little sew along. After working on my Stepping Stones quilt though the quilt along at Inquiring Quilter, I found I really enjoy the social aspect of the project. I love seeing everyone’s progress, having others to ask questions and get input, and seeing the fabric choices and how much that changes the pattern that we are all using. I think working on this tote with Tami will be the same. We set up a few deadlines for progress and hope to finish up together. It is low key though. If life gets in the way, so be it. We are just enjoying our virtual time sewing together! If you want to see Tami’s progress, hop over. We are just getting started. Anyone that wants to, is more than welcome to join us. Leave me a comment if you want more info.
By today, we are both aiming to have our bags cut out and pieces prepared. I spent yesterday morning prepping everything. I plan on using these Allison Glass fabrics.
The pattern seems very straight forward so I doubt there will be much difficulty makijng this bag. I traced my pieces with a chalk marker and cut from there. Printing the pieces on regular printer paper made for thick pieces. I didn’t want to pin and cut them because there might be some inaccuracy. Tracing the pieces was quick. (When I was cutting pieces, I took the pictures under the kitchen lights which distorts the color.)
Once the pieces were cut, I fused the interfacing to the outer pieces.
I’m really excited about this project. It is going to be perfect for my niece’s birthday gift.
Besides working on prepping the bag, I also did some FMQ on the Mystery quilt along that Lori Kenedy is hosting over at the Inbox Jaunt. This week we were instructed to quilt little stars and suns. Lori calls them Spirograph Suns though we did a simplified version of them. The motif is so fun and you’ll find the tutorial here.
We only have a few more sections to quilt and I think I will be a little sad to see this finish up. I love that the structure of this QAL only requires I quilt two lines each week. Not time consuming but it forces me to practice two new motifs each week. (Also, take a look at my fish. I feel like I stitched my fishies going upstream. Shouldn’t they should swim from left to right…. I must have gotten turned around (not all that unusual for this quilter.) 😉
My Stepping Stones quilt is basted and ready to be quilted. I am looking forward to the weekly post tomorrow as she plans to give some ideas on possible quilting motifs for this pattern. Choosing how I will quilt something is still a challenge for me but maybe I will be inspired by Jennifer’s post tomorrow.
Finally, I am working on a mini that I will share later this week. It is going to be cute though. Here is a sneak peek.
I am going for an old-fashioned, vintage feel and I think it is coming together well.
OK – what do you have going on in your sewing room? i would love to hear.
Linking this post up with all sorts of fun sites. Take a look at the list. You’ll find it at the top of the page, under Link Ups.
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Your FMQ is looking fantastic. I should have participated, but have too much on my quilting plate. 🙁
I know what you mean. There are tons of fun opportunities to participate but really, we can only do what we can do. Otherwise it becomes chaotic and a bit overwhelming. That isn’t what this is all about! Thanks for coming by and for the sweet compliment.
Busy, busy lady! I have found it really like the “little bit of this, little bit of that” approach, too. I can just pick up and start on what I feel like at the moment, and before I know if, I’m ready to start the things I don’t really want to do. I’m much more productive wroth a few irons in the fire.
Oh my goodness. Once again, your FMQ is just stellar. I like the fishies as they are. They don’t care if they swimming backwards… they are just determined and strong! I can’t wait to see this finished.,,it’s seriously cool!.
I am looking forward to working through the 241 Tote with you! Your neice is a lucky girl! I think you should make one for you, next!
You have some fun fabrics for your bag. I’ve been watching Lori’s blog posts about FMQ – someday I’ll join in on one of her mystery QALs. Yours is looking great!
You do have a lot of things going on right now! I have a lot of secret sewing which is so hard to not talk about, but thankfully I will slowly get to start posting about finishes soon. I really like the FMQing project you have, and I like the fish in their orientation. 🙂
I love your little fish. Maybe they’re spawning. (Or you could turn the quilt the other way if you want them to swim the other way.) I also love what I see so far of your mini. A motif with grid quilting around it? Perfectly vintage! Okay, now I have to go look at Tami’s tote. It’s fun to see multiple versions of a design. Have fun with your QAL!
Wow! You have a lot going on right now- a feeling I am very familiar with! Your FMQ project is fantastic and I adore those fish!
Thank you Sarah. I only got a little bit done this week but hopefully will be able to spend some time in the sewing room this afternoon and make some progress! Have a great weekend!
Wow, lots of fun projects going on…And I thought I was busy! Love the fabrics for the 241 Tote! It’s always fun to virtually sew along with others, I enjoy doing that with a long-distance quilty friend of mine as well. It’s a great way to keep each other motivated and inspired. Can’t wait to see your finished bag! I think your FMQ motifs are great! I think the fish are great, and you can just call them your little line of Dory’s if you think they’re swimming the wrong way! They’re just swimming they’re own way! Haha!!
Have a great week and I hope your Stepping Stones quilting is coming along great for you! I can’t wait to see all the finished quilts. You are right… all of the fabric choices makes for such very different looking quilts and they’re all fantastic!
Oh yes, my fish and my FMQ are just like Dory – creative and different! I haven’t done one stitch of quilting on the Stepping Stones project. I am hoping to work on it today though. Need to get started and then it should just flow. Happy Friday Christine!
Oh that Allison Glass fabric – I love all of it! Have fun with your project.
I am a huge Allison Glass fan! Especially of some of her older lines. Thanks for stopping by Carrie.