Local Workshop - Level Two Tote

Are you looking for a fun workshop to make a special something for a special someone for Christmas? Although so many of my sweet friends in the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild have already made a Level Two Tote (or 8!), there are some who are looking for a little guidance and the chance to have a sew day with pals. To that end, the VMQG has booked a lovely church hall in Burnaby and we're going to have a class on November 17, 2018 from 10 am to 4 pm.

The tote features a cotton canvas or home-dec print on the upper level with a lower level of cork fabric, waxed canvas, or lightweight leather or pleather. It is intentionally lightweight without a lot of stabilizer for a relaxed-looking bag that doesn't knock stuff off the shelves while you're browsing the china section ; ).  It fits a ton of stuff and the straps are super strong - it's a perfect daily bag that'll accommodate your water bottle, embroidery or knitting project, a book, your wallet and a few other essentials.

The workshop has now opened for non-member registration. I'll be offering kits that include all of the hardware + leather that you need, plus I come equipped with anvil, leather punch and hammer, so you don't have to! Everyone should be able to complete their tote in class.

Book the class and get all of the details by emailing workshops@vancouvermodernquiltguild.ca

Bring a friend and learn some great bag-making skills. This workshop is perfect for first-time zipper installers, rivet-newbies and anyone looking to gather tips on finishing details for a professional look.

Your Maker's Tote

Yes, this could be YOURS!

I've just completed this adorable Maker's Tote, designed by Anna Graham of Noodlehead. It is a wonderful pattern that is really pretty straight forward and easy. There's no turning, no squashing of batting/interfacing/outer bag and long handles through tiny lining openings. The trickiest part is sewing the bias binding on the bottom corners, but slow and steady (and Clover Wonder Clips) win the race!

There's a slick zipper installation (optional magnetic snap instructions for those folks nervous of sewing straight lines that will show on the outside of the tote).  You use an opening zipper for a true wide-mouth bag that you could probably stuff a baby quilt into. It's size large for sure!

There's another zip pocket on the back side of the tote!

I used the adorable Heather Ross print in linen for the outside. After all, what crafty maker can't relate to the creativity of little girls playing with their horses? A Denyse Schmidt  print for the side panels and handles, a Mochi linen dot for the inside slip pocket and an older, sweet Amy Butler print for the lining. The body of the bag is supported ByAnnie Soft and Stable. I chose special fabrics that I love because I'm sharing this bag with one Lucky Maker!

I hope to get around to making another for myself, but first I'm going to stuff this one with about $200 worth of gorgeous modern fabrics from my generous blog partners and a bunch of gifts from me. This will be the prize for my epic 5K follower giveaway on Instagram! If you're not on IG, I'm sorry that you won't be able to win, however there will be another fun giveaway right here around Valentines Day just for blog followers. Everybody gets a chance, just as soon as the prizes arrive and I can photograph everything in it's epicness. 

Pouch Production and Sewing Beyond Cotton

While at our annual Loon Lake retreat in mid-November, several of us got busy trying out some of the awesome projects in Krista Fleckenstein's new book Beyond Cotton. Krista is super clever and an amazing artist to boot, so she's got some incredible ideas on how to expand our work beyond cotton just like the title says.

I started out making pouches using Krista's easy pattern. I didn't have leather on hand with me at retreat, so I substituted Craft-Tex (a C&T paper product that is totally washable and strong like leather!). I'd pre-washed and crinkled my Craft-Tex before retreat, hoping that I'd be able to use it for some project or other.  These pouches will be gifted at Christmastime. I was nervous using chunky metal zips, but I didn't break a single needle and I'm so pleased with how nicely the zipper ends appear once the pouch is turned right-side out. Plus, I got to use some of my treasured Japanese linen collection!

I made these smaller versions after returning home and getting my hands on some lovely upholstery-grade vegan leather (otherwise known as vinyl).

I also followed Krista's pattern to make leather boxes (again using Craft-Tex) and got to try riveting thanks to friends that had brought along the hardware and tools. There was a lot of banging on this retreat as we were riveting all the things with hammers!  This is a very tiny box, so to avoid confusion I stamped exactly what might fit in it onto the bottom of the box *wink*.

Finally, Krista had sent along a few leather cuff kits for us to try our hand at punching a pattern of holes and then using them to embroider a design with floss. I was feeling a bit lazy, so I stole Katie's carefully prepared design template and copied her bracelet completely.  Here's a photo with all of our lovely leather cuffs!

I've since visited a leather supply store here in Vancouver. I must say, it is not a cheap endeavour. Keep an eye out for free leather couches on Craigslist!! There may also be some industrial felt winging it's way to me right now for some more fun projects out of the book. Next, I want to try some stamping on canvas. Check out Krista's sweet tutorial and make your own wrapping paper this year.

Thank you for so much fun, Krista!! 

An Island Class

On Mother's Day weekend our son T participated in a rowing regatta on Vancouver Island. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time at Shawnigan Lake. On the Saturday, I had a great time teaching a workshop for the Modern Quilt Guild of Victoria! I didn't realize that it was the guild's first formal workshop.  I gave them a couple of class options to choose from and they chose the 241 Bag, which is always a fun one to teach.

People love to customize Anna's pattern and I've made so many of these bags that I'm able to work with students individually to support whatever combinations of pockets and zippers they choose.  I love seeing all of the different fabric combinations that people come up with!  For one of my class samples I paired one of my all-time favourite prints, Martha Negley Farmington feathers, with Essex yarn-dyed linen in steel.  The two look gorgeous together.

I always like to include a fun surprise inside zipper pockets. These ones have a pop of Lizzy House pearl bracelets and I used Joel Dewberry Deer Valley rustic dots for the inside slip pocket on a lining of shirting stripes.

The topstitching on the handle was done with a variegated Aurifil 28 wt thread that runs grey to light blue.

I love this bag, but I think I'll include it in the items I'll be selling at the quilt show boutique later this month.  My other sample has side pockets in lieu of the slash zips, but it's not quite complete yet!

It was really fun to meet an entire classroom of enthusiastic tote-makers; for some this was their first ever tote or purse construction.  The guild president Nicole coordinated the workshop, participated AND brought a delicious lemon cake to celebrate her birthday the following day (Mother's Day!!).   

Here are some of the bags at the end of class.

Thank you so much MQG Victoria - I love my super cool guild button (with killer logo designed by Berene!).  Thanks also to my lovely friend Lise-Lotte who not only hosted B and I, but joined the guild and came to the workshop, too.  It really was the best weekend. I love Victoria and can't wait to go back!