The September Island Batik Ambassador Challenge is called - It's In The Bag
Who doesn't love a new bag? By Annie patterns can help you make something wonderful!
This was s a great challenge. I've wanted to make a By Annie's pattern for a long time. In the second Ambassador box we all received a bundle from Annie's that contained everything we needed to make one of her bags. How great is that! My bag pattern was for Take a Stand. Here are photos of what all was in the kit - the pattern, Soft & Stable, zippers, mesh, hardware, etc. And of course- a selection of Island Batik fabrics. So exciting!
Here's some close ups of what was in the package.
The
Aurifil thread came in the Ambassador box, not in the kit. Doesn't it match great!
The Island Batik fabrics were chosen by Annie - we didn't have to make any decisions. Her choices are spot on! My fabrics are from the
Mandala Magic Collection designed by Jackie Kunkle of Canton Village Quilt Works. This is a Spring 2020 Collection and will be in stores soon.
Zippers and hardware (rings, swivel hooks & sliders). My bag had a bonus- enough of everything to make 2 bags - one of each size!
Mesh and beautiful fold over elastic - both which I've never used before.
By Annie's Soft and Stable foam stabilizer, 1" polypro strapping and a solid base for the large bag.
All of these items are available at her website
ByAnnie.com. This Soft and Stable is WONDERFUL for making bags! Be sure and try it out.
By Annie's patterns are very detailed, but wonderfully laid out in step by step instructions. Each piece has a label to keep you organized. I laid out my pieces for each bag separately.
The main body pieces are quilted however you like. She suggested straight line quilting, so I quilted one bag with straight lines and the other bag with diagonal lines to see how it would look each way. I think I liked the diagonal best.
I have to admit that zippers still intimidate me. Her instructions are very good. I forgot to mention that with the pattern there was a coupon for a free online video to help with making the bag. That was very helpful- especially if you are visual learner. Sometimes worded patterns can be confusing. Annie has loads of online videos that are wonderful. Such a great bonus!
I have never used mesh before. I never thought about how you would cover the top edge. Annie's fold-over elastic is SUPER easy to use. It is very pretty and both the mesh and elastic come in many colors on her website.
Side panels and main panels. After many steps it is all coming together!
The zippers on each side were easy- now for the top zippers
The large bag came with an acrylic piece for the base. That makes it super sturdy and you can even carry a small sewing machine in it! Notice the great mesh pockets on each side. And NO exposed seams anywhere!
Here are the two bags completed. The larger bag measures 12 1/2" H x 16"W x 8"D
The smaller bag measures 8 3/4" H x 12"W x 6 1/2"D
They each have a long carrying strap with an adjustable slider.
The small bag fits inside the larger one.
The larger bag will fit an iron or small sewing machine. Notice how the bag opens fully when unzipped. That can be very handy.
Here it is with my small Gem Gold sewing machine zipped inside.
I just had to take a photo of the bags with my petunias. I thought the colors looked good together!
The smaller bag has a companion project called Running With Scissors. Yesterday Ambassador Emily Leachman made this great project. It is a zippered case that you can open up and actually fold over the top of the smaller bag above so that all your tools are easily accessible. Check out
Emily's blog for more information on that project.
This is the second week of the blog hop - go back to
my last post to see the listing of all the Ambassadors and what day they are posting and what fabrics they are using. Don't miss a day!
Be sure and go to the I
sland Batik Blog this week of the blog hop to enter for a chance to win one of two beautiful fabric bundles - Lemon Grass and Mandala Magic
Leave a comment below to be entered into my drawing for two stash builder bundles of Island Batik. Tell me if you have ever made a ByAnnie's bag or any other kind of bag. I will draw a winner with Random.org. at the end of the blog hop. USA entries only due to postage.
