New Pattern and Gift Swap

I tried out a new pattern for a tissue case and pouch.  I'll work on a tutorial for it later this week.

I have a belated Christmas party tomorrow.  Here is the table mat I made for the gift swap.  I used the charm pack I got from another gift swap.

Dad's Christmas Gift

Reed's Quilt

Here are the pictures of my nephew Reed's quilt.  I did a basic block pattern on the front.  For the back, I just randomly pieced it.  My mom let me try out her long arm quilter.  I think I like doing free motion better, but Reed loved it.  And that's what's most important!

Gift Swap and Other

My quilting guild had its Christmas party tonight.  We did a gift exchange.  Below is what I made.  I filled the pouch with a few small sewing items.  We had a lot of fun.

I also made this little basket tonight.  I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for, but I'm sure I'll find something.

I also have been meaning to make a money bag for a group that I'm in.  I found this fabric at Mill End and was so excited to use it for this project.

I sewed all weekend and have some photos, but it's almost 11pm.  So, I'll have to post them tomorrow.

Reversible Bag #2

I have been experimenting with gift bags and came up with this one.  I'm going to put a tutorial up for it tomorrow.

 Side #1

Side #2

Reversible Reusable Gift Bag Tutorial

This tutorial is for all you other eco-friendly people out there who are looking for an alternative to wrapping paper.  These bags are a lot of fun to make.  They are completely reversible so you don't have the same prints from year to year.  I've made two sizes, medium and small.  I'll give the measurements for both sizes during the tutorial.  Enjoy!!

Materials:

1/2 yd. each of 2 coordinating fabrics

ribbon, cording, shoe laces, or anything else you can use for a drawstring.

Thread

Cut 2 pieces of fabric in whatever theme you like.  (I'm using mine for Christmas, but I also made some for birthdays.)  Medium Bag: 18x24 in.   Small: 12x20   Make sure you press your fabric before you cut it.

Put the fabric right sides together and sew all the way around (1.4 in. seam), leaving a 3in. opening at the bottom.

Once sewn, clip the corners.  Then, turn the bag right sides out.

Press the edge of the fabric.

When you get to the opening, fold the selvage in and press.

This will be sewn closed later.

Use your ruler to mark where to put your button holes.  You need to make 12 buttonholes.  (Medium Bag: 2 in. apart, starting 1 in. from the edge.  I marked mine 4 in. from the top of the bag.   Small Bag: 1 1/2 in. apart, starting 1 in. from the edge.  The small bag was marked 3 in. from the top of the bag.)

Sew each buttonhole.  The width of the buttonhole depends on how wide your ribbon or cording is.  On my medium bag they were 3/4 in.  On the small bag they were 1/2 in.

Fold the fabric in half, widthwise.

Sew along the side and bottom of the bag. Make sure you sew close to the edge (about 1/8 in.)

Cut buttonholes open and thread the cording through.  I started in the middle of the bag because that is where I wanted the bow.

Insert your gift.

Pull and tie the cording.  Then, enjoy!

Please let me know if you have any questions about this tutorial.

Tucker's Christmas Quilt

I just finished binding my nephew Tucker's quilt.  I didn't know that the binding would take over an hour to do.  LOL.