19 July 2013

Yoga bag

Hamish is on a yoga kick lately, but sadly lacks appropriate yoga lifestyle accessories. So I set about making a bag for his yoga mat.


I picked a handsome Parson Gray canvas print and studied up on free patterns and tutorials. Nothing matched my vision exactly, but several tutorials had helpful bits and pieces.


There are three open pockets on the outside of the bag around the base. The bag and pockets are lined with quilting-weight cotton.


The inner lining has a small pattern-matched envelope pocket for storing cash and keys.


It was a fun project, and came together more quickly than I expected. The final closure at the top where the zipper, strap, shell & lining come together was a bit tricky – I don't have a lot of bag making experience – but a bit of hand stitching did the job.

The three sources I found the most helpful were Amy Butler's free Nigella pattern for proportions and outer pocket, Modest Maven's tutorial for zipper and inner envelope pocket, and Jane's Girl Designs tutorial for another take on inserting a zipper.

12 July 2013

NYC MOD Double Wedding Ring Challenge + Giveaway

The NYC MOD quilters have partnered with EZ Quilting/Simplicity, Interweave and Juki to sponsor the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Challenge! Use the Double wedding ring template/or pattern to create a project, then enter it to win amazing prizes!


I'll be making my first DWR quilt for this challenge using my red and neutral over-dyed fabrics from the last post. I pieced my first four arcs.


Challenge Categories:

  • SMALL - ONE RING: 20″ or smaller. This is a great way to play and learn your curves, and try your own version of making this fun design.
  • TRADITIONAL: 4 rings or larger. Make the traditional double wedding pattern by using the template and your choice of fabrics…not straying to far from the traditional style.
  • MODERN: 4 rings or larger. How can you interpret the double wedding ring, put a MODERN spin on a traditional design? Piece it, applique, fuse, whole cloth? Possibilities are endless! 
For all categories, quilts must be made of three layers and bound.

The EZ Double Wedding Ring templates are available at www.simplicity.com or at your local store. You don’t have to use Darlene’s Double Wedding Ring templates to enter, but we’d sure like it if you did! Any double Wedding ring template will work.

The judges for the challenge are Darlene Zimmerman ( EZ quilting), Vivika DeNegre (Interweave), Lisa Mason(president of NYC MOD), Victoria Findlay Wolfe(Quiltcon Winner, with Double Edged Love), and Elisa Albury.

The deadline for entries in December 1, 2013. You can enter up to three times, one project in each category, any project you have started this year. Enter at the following pages:
Small
Traditional
Modern

Prize Categories:

1. Grand Prize from any of the 3 categories
2. One winner from Small
3. One winner from Traditional
4. One winner from Modern
5. Judges Choice

Grand Prize:

  • Photo of the Grand Prize project in EZ/Simplicity advertisement in Modern Patchwork Magazine,
  • Complete collection of EZ Templates by Darlene Zimmerman, Deluxe sidewinder and Deluxe Bias Tape and Quilt Binding Machine
  • Juki HZL Exceed F600 Sewing Machine
  • Featured in an article in Spring issue of Modern Patchwork 2014
  • 15 Minutes of Play
  • FQ bundles of Robert Kaufman Kona cotton & Darlene Zimmerman collection

Additional prizes for all other categories will include:

  • EZ Quilting Templates and Notions
  • Special gift from Modern Patchwork
  • 15 Minutes of Play by Victoria Findlay Wolfe
  • One year Membership from The Quilt Alliance
  • Oliso Irons 3 small traditional and modern
  • Gutterman Thread (In-home Cabinet) 100 spools, 100 m, 100% cotton
  • $50 Gift Certificate to Canton Village Quilt Works
  • Gift Certificate from Fabric Depot online store
  • American Spirit by Fairfield queen-sized
  • FQ bundles of Robert Kaufman Kona cotton & Darlene Zimmerman collection
  • Fabric Bundles by New Castle Fabric
  • Fabric Bundles by Fabric Traditions
  • Darlene’s latest quilt
  • The Spray and Fix Sewing Adhesive Collection by ODIF USA traditional
  • A FREE class at Craftsy.com
  • Joy of Quilting by Kathy Doughty, Material Obsession
Winners will be announced Dec 15th, 2013. Winning quilts with need to be sent in by January 1st.

Blog hop Schedule:

July 8th
​NYC MOD​ Quilters (http://nycmetromodquilters.blogspot.com)
Interweave (quiltingdaily.com)

July 9th
Emily Bailey (emsscrapbag.blogspot.com)
Shelly Pagliai (http://prairiemoonquilts.com)

July 10th
Amy Ellis (amyscreativeside.com)
Faith Jones (www.freshlemonsquilts.com)

July 11th
Amy Smart (http://www.diaryofaquilter.com)

July 12th
Dan Rouse (hi!)
Elisa Albury (www.stitchoutsidetheditch.com)

July 13
Jenny Cameron (Fiberlosophy.blogspot.com)

July 14th
Jane Davidson (http://quiltjane.blogspot.com)

July 15th
Joanna Wilczynska (http://shape-moth.blogspot.com)
Jackie Kunkel (http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com)

July 16th
Kathy Doughty (http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com)
Juki (http://jukihomesewing.wordpress.com)

July 17th
Lisa Mason (http://theredheadedmermaid.blogspot.com)
Flaun Cline (http://ipleadquilty.blogspot.com)

July 18
Pat Sloan (http://blog.patsloan.com)
Jessica Alexandrakis (http://lifeunderquilts.blogspot.com)

July 19th
Jacquie Gering (http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com)
Lee Heinrich (http://www.freshlypieced.com)
Monica Solorio-Snow (http://thehappyzombie.com/blog)

Giveaway!

I've been given a set of EZ Double Wedding Ring templates to give away to one lucky reader. Please leave one comment on this post for your chance to win. I'll pick a random comment next week.