Bag Lady {Two More Finished Open Wide Bags}

Since I had enough notions -- with the exception of zippers -- to make a few more Open Wide bags, I bought a few more zippers and got to work.

The first one that I made is the same three fabrics as the large pouch that I made in the original set, just in the smallest size. I used all of the same colors of thread for quilting and construction so that these are a matching set. 

For the second, I made a medium sized bag using only two different fabrics instead of three. I used the same fabric for both the lining and the accent fabric for this bag and skipped the mesh pockets.

I also cut the pieces and parts for a large sized bag to match the original medium sized bag that I made, but I'm not sure when I'll tackle that project. I'm going to try to get some actual quilt tops finished over the next month before baby arrives -- I actually have a finished top to show you later this week!

Happy Monday -- what are you working on today?

Open Wide 2.0 Bags in Floralicious {It's In The Bag Blog Hop}

 Today is my day to share for the It's In The Bag Blog Hop, sponsored by Island Batik and By Annie!

The collection I got to use for my project is the new Floralicious collection!

If you remember back to my unboxing post from this summer, I got all of the pieces and parts to make a set of the Open Wide 2.0 bags from By Annie!

I have long avoided three dimensional sewing, but this was my chance to try something totally new and I am so happy with how the bags turned out!

I started with the largest size bag and worked my way through one entire bag before starting on the next one. I used a lot of different colors of Aurifil thread too! Each bag had a main color, lining color, and accent color designated for each particular size.

I free motion quilted meanders for all of the bags. It was a different feeling for sure quilting the foam stabilizer rather than batting! 

I had never ever sewn a zipper before so that was also a big adventure! I really appreciated how clear the directions were in each step -- especially for someone with a fear of three-dimensional sewing and zippers like me!

One very nice aspect of these bags is that they perfectly nestle inside of one another for storage if you make yourself the entire set! 

Now I am totally addicted to the idea of making more of these bags as gifts! I have quite a bit of fabric and supplies left over other than the zippers, so I am going to have to buy some more zippers to make more of these bags (maybe in some sets!)

Thank you to Island Batik, By Annie, and Aurifil for graciously supplying the supplies for this project! I had so much fun making these and if you are like me and things like zippers freak you out -- definitely try out a By Annie's bag pattern!

Unboxed: My Second 2020 {Island Batik Ambassador} Box!

I'm so excited to show off the things that came in my second Island Batik Ambassador shipment for 2020!

First off -- batting from Hobbs bonded fibers! Let me tell you -- living in sort of the middle of no where, it is so nice to have a few battings on hand and not have to make a special trip out to buy one, which I used to have to do quite often! I'm excited to play with the fusible batting roll -- is a jelly roll rug in my future?

I have two "surprise" packages that are soon-to-be released lines that I can't show off just yet! Just believe me when I say they are gorgeous!

I also received some half-yard cuts of batik basics that coordinate with my "surprise" packages; you can get an idea of what the color schemes will be!

Next up is a gorgeous fat quarter bundle of Catching Dreams! Love those purples.

This time around we each received a Studio 180 ruler to try! I've never used one of these before and I am excited to try it out. This was bundled with a set of 2.5" strips and coordinating cuts of yardage from the Nouveau Soul line.

I also received a 10" square stacker of the Venetian Marble line with some coordinating yardage.

And I would be remiss if I skipped over the extra large cuts of solids and basics! I have started using the solids for some of my backings on my Island Batik projects and it's worked out great!

One of my favorite things that usually makes an appearance in our Ambassador boxes are the stash builder rolls! These two are all blues and all teals, respectively, and I think a lot of those blue fabrics will be turned into a baby quilt for one of our best friends! And Aurifil thread is always a good addition!

The final thing in our boxes, which I am so excited to show, is a full kit from By Annie's to make one of their bag patterns! A while back we got to chose one of their patterns and I chose the Open Wide pouch patterns. They picked fabrics for us and all of the coordinating notions! I'm very nervous to work on this project but I am in DESPERATE need of a new set of travel toiletry bags!

I am having a giveaway on my previous post (click here to see it) that closes on Tuesday, July 28th so make sure to enter!