2016…time to get serious about finishing some lost-in-the-closet UFOs! Â The first one I pulled out to work on was a half-completed “Urban Cabin”, pattern by Terry Atkinson.
It didn’t take me long to figure out why it has been languishing on a shelf for three or four years…I sewed half the blocks wrong! Â (NOT the fault of the pattern-maker — Terry’s patterns are always awesome — but rather because I sewed them at a retreat with lots of visiting and maybe a glass of vino…)
After a little thought, I figured out how I could get a similar look to the pattern without spending days with ripper in hand. Â Here is a photo of the blocks done (I am making it a bit wider). Â I have some white border strips to sew on, then a 6″ border goes on all four sides.
I came across the Bionic Gear Bag somewhere, and knew it would serve my needs perfectly. Â I have several “tool bags” for sewing, but this one is designed for more than storage — it opens up to be situated by your sewing machine, keeping everything you need at your fingertips. Â Since I often sew places other than my sewing room, I can just zip it up and take everything with me easily. Â Here it is zipped up. Â (Excuse the lumpiness, as I really have it overstuffed.)
As much as I love the bag, I have nothing good to say about the instructions. Â Nothing. Â If you decide, like me, that you absolutely need this bag, search for the tutorial a third party made, and load your printer with lots of paper.
Okay, back to the bag. Â It holds a ton…I have four pairs of scissors, several spools of thread with bobbins, screwdrivers and other tools, marking pens, ripper, pins, all kinds of needles, sewing machine feet, Clover Wonder Clips…and I know that’s not all.
My favorite part is how it stays open and the front flap makes a tray to keep all your working bits and bobbles reined in.
And thanks to my friend Arlene, I was introduced to the Diva Wallet! Â I don’t know how I missed this one. Â The pattern is crystal clear, and the results are beautiful. Â A quick sew, as well.
When I bought the pattern on line, I ordered a couple of the frames right away as well. Â This is with the 7 1/2″ frame. Â Inside…
This makes a lovely, slim wallet that would make a special gift.
On the photography front, here’s my favorite bird shot from this week: Â a tri-colored heron. Â He has long legs but is standing in deeper water. Â Taken at the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas, TX.
Linking to Judy Laquidara’s Patchwork Times.
I’ve not seen the pattern, but I love the way your blocks are working together.
It’s disappointing when a pattern isn’t well written, but that is a nifty looking bag. I don’t think I would be tempted to make it with all those zippers.