Thursday, March 7, 2013

One Weekend, Three Weekenders

Sigh. Another Mayne Island Retreat has come and gone. Last weekend I spent four days with five lovely women in the comfort of Rebecca's gorgeous home (and sunlit sewing room). Before retreat there was a flurry of emailing, pattern prepping, cookie & lasagne baking and just a little bit of running around gathering supplies for the Weekender Bag.

At first I resisted. My plan was always to make one for my trip to the Fat Quarterly Retreat in London in July. I mean, that's months away! I've got heaps of time! Fat quarters of Denyse Schmidt homedec-weight fabric had been purchased on de-stash long ago and sat piled for this project. Eventually I caved and started THE CUTTING.  You know that I narrowly survived making Amy's Blossom Bag a couple of years ago....you may also recall I said it was unlikely I'd ever make one of her bag patterns again. I'm glad I sucked it up and gave it a whirl. It is a stunning piece of luggage. Yes, I made luggage! Bonus: it's ready four months in advance of my trip!


Weekender Bag by Poppyprint
Side 1

Weekender Bag by Poppyprint
Side 2

Because it was made from fat quarters, there are different prints all over the place and a few unexpected seams (in top and bottom panels), but I really like the combination of prints. The lining is a voile I picked up super cheap at JoAnn Fabrics and an interior zip pocket is lined with Aviary II woodgrain in yellow.  I was so thankful for Diana's recent Pink Chalk Fabric post that showed straps made with hardware. It solved my problem of finding enough length in a fat quarter to make all of the strap required without 10 seams! 

Weekender Bag by Poppyprint

Much has been written about this bag and between the 3 of us that made it, we'd read many blog posts and gathered great advice. Like using 6 bag feet to protect the bottom.

Weekender Bag by Poppyprint

Many people on Instagram asked me if this "was worth it". Absolutely, of course it is! Any gorgeous project takes lots of time and effort. I may not ever make another Weekender (that piping was a major effort), but I am very happy with this one.  As you can see by my label on the inside, it's no "quickie"...

Weekender Bag by Poppyprint
My lining is a bit floppy - I still have to do some handstitching to secure the corners

Here are our fabulous bags together!

3 Weekenders in a Row
Dianne's gorgeous poppies in the middle, Jo Ann's on the right (check her fussy cutting!)

Lest you think we were chained to the machines all weekend, here's a look at some of my favourite  tree bark in the whole wide world, taken from an oceanview train near the house.

Beautiful Mayne Arbutus
Arbutus

In addition to the bag, I also had plenty of time to work on some more scrap blocks for my second "Scrap Vomit" quilt (the first one is a top awaiting basting). All in all, an amazing weekend retreat of friends, food and sewing!

36 comments:

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

You are gonna be the prettiest-luggage-d lady in London this summer for sure! I wish I was going too, even though I have no fancy luggage.
Love that you used several fabrics in the outer layer, it is soo pretty!

Heather D. said...

Stunning indeed!!

Nicola said...

I've only ever made one structured bag and it took me two years on (and mostly) off! I love having it now though. Your bag is gorgeous and the hardware on the straps take it to another level.

Alisa said...

It's beautiful!

And it looks like a beast to sew :-)

greelyrita said...

You sure make lovely bags! And that picture of the arbutus is fabulous. Aren't they an amazing tree? I was and still am enthralled with them after I saw them for the first time a couple of years ago. We just don't know real trees in the eastern half of Canada and worst, we don't even know that we don't know for the most part.

Dianne said...

Great post on our retreat Krista and as always your photography is amazing. Love the Arbutus photo!!

Lesly said...

Wow they are all three absolute knockouts!

ann said...

Wow--breathless I am. I love seeing the 3 Weekenders (yes it is capitalized and rightly so I believe) together it makes quite a statement. They are all so unique. Thanks for sharing. So I guess I have no excuse for not starting a Weekender...oh wait...I don't have a gorgeous ocean view home with a sunny sewing room and 4 fab women in said room, waiting to sew. Whew, dodged that bullet.

Canadian Abroad said...

Oh man, your roommate is going to look crap wheeling in a Samsonite!! Just saying. ;-)

Amy Friend said...

Nice! I'd love to have one of those bags but I am not sure I want to make one. I have used piping before and I love the look but the process is always a little frustrating. 2 scrap vomit quilts? Is your pile of fabric getting smaller at least?

Gale, Ky quilter said...

Oh my gosh your bag is gorgeous! I want to make one so bad! :)

Donna~~ said...

Gale took my comment--almost word for word! Too funny! But those are gorgeous bags!

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

It's a stunner! Those prints work so well together.

Leanne said...

Your bag is wonderful, as are the other two. And they do work, mine went to Austin and back, returning as checked baggage without a hitch or tear or anything.

Patti said...

All three bags are a marvelous wonder! Great way to spend a retreat!

paulette said...

A TRIPLE WOW>>WOW>>WOW!!!! Love all of the bags!! You and your friends are incredible!! I bet you're all bagged!
P

KerryQ said...

Your label is hilarious! The bag is gorgeous. You should be getting "the weekender" merit badge in the mail any day now. :)

Cathy said...

So fabulous!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I continue to believe that sewing with friends is the best therapy. Ever. Your Weekender is gorgeous!! I love the hardware on the straps and I wish I had added feet to the bottom, although maybe I still could? Your label on the inside is the BEST!

Jo Ann said...

Your post is fantastic! I love my bag - hopefully I use this one instead of just looking at it!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Great bag! I love your fabric choices and thank your for the tips! I have my ingredients gathered and am almost ready to start mine.

Tracey Jacobsen said...

looks so great!! One of my favorite weekenders -- I like all the hardware touches too.

Danielle said...

Oh goodness, they're all so fab! I really must make one. (I have a feeling I say that every time I post a comment on your blog!) The fussy cutting on Jo-Ann's is brilliant. And I love your fat quarter usage. Perfect.

Katie B said...

Excellent work! It is an impressive piece of luggage. I think making it on a retreat and with friends is the way to go!

PinkGranny said...

Wonderful! My hats off to you. What did you use to stabilize the bag? It looks like it was the right choices. I am usually looking around for good ideas in this area of garments or bags or...you get the idea!

Unknown said...

You made luggage!!! Amazing Krista!

legato1958 said...

Your bag is gorgeous and stunning! It is so stylish! Thanks for the helpful hints and insights, too!

Susie

Elsa said...

Love your bag and the others too. I've been wanting to make it too, but have heard so many stories about how hard it is to make.
Exciting that it's already made for your trip in July ~

Marianne Penner said...

Wow, your bag looks so great! A while ago now I became obsessed with this bag so I ordered the pattern but haven't mustered up the courage to try it. Seeing yours has made me think seriously about it all over again.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Chain it to your wrist when you sleep at Retreat; just sayin'!

Samantha said...

It looks awesome. I have the Amy Butler bag book but have only ever looked within. I might try the coin purse though. Start off small right?!

Dragonfly Fabric Canada said...

Gorgeous Krista! You are now a member of a very exclusive club, like others, I hope to join you one day. Until then, thanks for sharing these three beautiful bags for my gawking pleasure.

Mette said...

Wauw, Krista, amazing bags! Wish I had one of these.

Monika Kinner-Whalen (MySweetPrairie) said...

OH MY GOODNESS

I look at pics more than I read - sorry. It's my weakness.

Are you making more? I'm thinking I need some luggage for when I go to Winnipeg ... GEE that is some serious construction Krista! Nice job.

~Monika

rstogether said...

Little slow on the uptake here Krista - great post, and the bags look fabulous.

rstogether said...

I'm a little slow on the uptake here...guess I need to follow your blog more frequently! Great post, fabulous bags.