Wednesday, September 16, 2020

It's In The Bag Blog Hop -Take A Stand Bag

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 Island 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.



*Thanks to Island Batik, Auriful thread and ByAnnie/ for the supplies to make this project.



49 comments:

  1. What lovely bags! I'm fascinated by the larger one because I own a Janome Gem as well. Looks like a great bag for toting my small machine to classes. Paired with the Running with Scissors bag I'd be all set!

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  2. Such beautiful bags! You did an awesome job making them. I have never made a large bag, but I have made a few small zipper pouches. I was wondering about the mesh.Does it look like it will tear or get holes in it easily? Thank you for sharing today and for your giveaway.

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    1. I was impressed with the mesh. It was sturdy and easy to sew. I loved the foldable elastic that Annie's carries. It is very pretty and in many colors. Very easy to use!

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  3. Fabulous bags! I can't wait to make these too.

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  4. I love you bags, the fabrics are so pretty! I made a bag, maybe 10 years ago and didn't really know what I was doing. I didn't use any stabilizer so it's a sad, baggy thing. I don't use it, which is sad because it used a million HST's. I've never made any of Annie's bags but I'm going to check out the link. Thanks Connie!

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    1. Annie's instructions are great. The Soft and Stable is also very sturdy for bags. Hope you give it a try!

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  5. These are such pretty bags! Thanks for the link to my Running with Scissors from yesterday. After seeing yours, this is definitely my next bag project. I see all the mesh pockets inside, and then there are big zippered pockets on the outside? Are there any smaller zippered pockets? Wondering if I would like it as a purse as well. Beautiful job on these bags!

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  6. There are two zippers on the outside of each bag and mesh pockets on each side of the inside. You can section these into what size you want.

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  7. Your bags are amazing. I have made a few small bags. Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom 🌻

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  8. Beautiful bags!! I need to take a look at Annie's patterns! Thank you!

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  9. Your bags are beautiful. I have only made small bags. I may try one of Annie's bags. Mary E

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  10. Yes, I've made many bags...even a byAnnie roll-up. They seem complicated, but they are not! Annie's instructions are detailed and clear. Your bags look soooo good.

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  11. I have never made a "By Annnie's" Bag, but I did make a diaper bag for a friend's baby shower. These bags look so great!

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  12. I have never made an Annie's bag. But I am sure impressed with all the bags shown on Island Batiks blog! They are so pretty! And I am impressed that the instructions sound so good. So maybe I really could figure out how to sew one sometime. Love your bag photo with your flowers! Beautiful!!

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  13. Running with Scissors. Loved it!

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  14. I haven't made a bag, but I like what everyone is showing. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  15. I have made a by Annie's bag...just recently. I had bought the materials at a quilt show last year and when Covid hit, I thought there was no time like the present to make it! Turned out great and she has lots of videos on the website in case you get stuck (ask me how I know !).

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  16. No..have never made an Annie bag..but have made several large Totes..& zippy pouches :) LOVE your's..are Beautiful!! Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way..and for sharing all the pictures of your bags in progress..soooo helpful :)

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  17. Your bags are gorgeous! I love the variety of sizes as they each serve a different purpose. I have made many zipped totes for traveling, make-up, pencils, etc. I have made only one purse type bag, though, and I amazed myself at how well it turned out! It's a cross-over bag with zippers and a divider in the middle, plus a zipper on the outside. I really need to try an Annie bag next!

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  18. I've never made a ByAnnie's bag but I have made many other bags from various patterns. Your bag look wonderful. I would love to make a ByAnnie's bag.

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  19. Love this bag and love it in your flower bed!

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  20. I’ve made several of By Annie’s bags. Great patterns and great gifts. I love your fabrics for your bags.

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  22. I would love to make some bags like the ones I have seen on this hop. The only bags I have made were for Halloween, and one take along art supplies for the car. None of them were close to the same quality!!

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  23. I love your bags. They turned out wonderful and the fabrics are terrific. Yes I have made ByAnnie in the past but not since she has added the video link. I need to buy one now.

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  24. The bags look great! I can't believe it holds a sewing machine, I didn't think it was that big. I'm working on the Round Trip Duffle and just finished the backpack.

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  25. Connie, your bags came out awesome! I love that you can carry a small sewing machine in the larger bag and that the small bag tucks inside the big one for storage. It's been so much fun to see the bags everyone is making, but now I have a problem. I want to make them all!!! I did the Out and About for my upcoming hop day. It was challenging, but worth it.

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  26. I've made lots of bags: totes, grocery bags, crocheted mesh bags, purses... I've even knit a purse and felted it (my current fave.) Good directions and the right supplies make all the difference!

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  27. I once tried to make a bag without a pattern...got to the pockets and got confused and never finished, haha. These bags are awesome!

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    1. They can be a challenge! That's what's great about her step by step instructions and online videos.

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  28. WOW your bags are amazing - a sewing machine size oneis terrific!!!

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    1. Yes, and the base they have is really nice- sturdy and cut the correct size.

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  29. I have made only simple zipper pouches, but this blog hop has inspired me to take the leap to more complex bags.

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  30. I have made a couple bags but never one By Annie. I want to try one soon.

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  31. Wow, that would be a wonderful bag to have, you did a great job.

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  32. Your bags are just beautiful! I have made the smaller version of this bag once. A lot of steps, but I was surprised at how smoothly it came together. You have inspired me to go to back to that pattern with some new color combinations. Thanks for sharing this!

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  33. I have not made a ByAnnie bag. It is on my to do list. Your bags are wonderful. I love batiks.... I am a batik addict!!!

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  34. Connie - you made some fantastic bags! I didn't realize how big the large one was until I saw the machine in it! How great is that? Perfect for taking it to a class or retreat! And of course, the fabric is awesome!
    Happy Quilting! :-)

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  35. Oh, Connie...these are so darn cute. Your blog is super descriptive of the process. You are a zipper pro! Love your colors too!

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  36. I have made a bag--it was fun and also challenging!! Gave it to one of my daughters for a knitting or sewing bag. Love the colors of your project!
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  37. Awesome bags! I’ve made a few bags, but not enough to be comfortable with it. You did an amazing job!
    cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

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