I'm far from an expert bag maker...in fact, I haven't made many and those that I have are well...works in progress! But I came across a super cute bag pattern at a local quilt shop that I just wanted to try. Pair that up with an end of the bolt clearance sale at another local quilt shop and I decided to give bag making another go.
The Chubby Charmer bag was designed to be made out of five inch charm blocks, but the shop where I bought the pattern had it made up in just a solid piece of fabric. Despite the headache that ensued from trying to figure out the math, I did my best to get it put together! It involves quite a few layers of fusible fleece which made for some sore arms when trying to quilt it.
Nonetheless, I'm pretty happy how it turned out - please just don't pay too much attention to how the seams match up on the side!
If I had to do it again (which I'm not so certain I would), I would pretty much do it the same with the exception of how the interior pockets are constructed (whether I read the directions wrong or that's how it's written - some of the fusible fleece shows inside the pocket!
I added a snap (my first time ever doing that). This thing is a monster in size - the bottom I added measures 9 x 17"! I'm thinking it'll be great if I'm ever toting around a quilt that needs it's binding!
It's no secret that I love Kate Spain's fabrics. I also love a good Christmas project. So a couple of years ago when one of the major quilting magazines featured a Christmas project with Kate Spain fabric, I jumped at the chance. Somewhere/somehow I snagged a Kate Spain jelly roll and slowly got to work on putting together the Snowflake Star quilt!
Fast forward a couple of years (yup...it really takes me that long) and I finally finished one! (This mind you was after quite a few issues with it that at one point made me seriously consider giving up quilting). Anyways, it got quickly quilted and bound in order to give to a quilty friend for Christmas. She loves the color blue, and it's not everyday you find a holiday themed quilt that's got blue in it.
It's not too large - maybe about 38" square, but I think it's fun!
Should I even mention that one jelly roll makes four stars total? Yup...that's a true statement. But, in an effort to get some of my unfinished projects done, I soldiered on and finished the three additional tops. They're currently sitting in the pile of projects that need to be sandwiched! Perhaps one more will get done by next Christmas?