Happy quilt day!
This quilt was inspired by the Sea Squared quilt pattern, free from Birch Fabrics.
Most of the fabrics are from the Into the Deep fabric line by Michael Miller Fabrics.
The dolphins and whales are from a random panel that was in my collection. Â They had lots to say, so here they are on the quilt!
Every year I remember why I’m scared of the ocean.
Jaws. Â I grew up in the midwest and I saw the movie before I ever saw the ocean. Â Poor planning.
Another Companion Carpet Bag, pattern by Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H.
I put my 9 college credits in Philosophy to good use -the red handles represent the bloodshed caused by that cranky shark.
I put tabs on this bag to pull open the top. Â The tabs are shark snouts! Â I crack myself up.
I really agonized over the lining. Â For about a minute. Â Last week I just happened to buy some sushi fabric.
I find such joy in starting a project with absolutely no plan. Â I just picked up my Jaws, decided it needed to be a purse, and started cutting. Â I almost got stumped when it came to the handles. Â Thank heavens for higher education.
My favorite travel bag is ready for it’s first outing!
I think this is number 6 in my quest for the perfect travel bag? Â I have quite a pile.
This is the Weekender Travel Bag pattern by Amy Butler. Â The fabric, not surprisingly, is from a manufacturer in the UK.
The best thing about sewing for decades is having bits and bobs on hand in my studio. Â The zipper, nylon webbing, dee rings and green straps are from my private “collection.”
The guts of the bag show the tube map for the London Underground! Â I love to open a bag and find something interesting on the inside.
This bag fulfills my not-so-hidden anglophile obsession. Â So I made wallets.
Not just one, mind you.
Some other anglophile is going to get a big surprise!
Almost makes me wish I carried a backpack.
My little Minnesotan has a thing for the Northern Lights. Â When I got this fabric she actually ASKED me to make her a backpack.
The fabric is by Quilted Treasures and the pattern is the Dawn to Dusk backpack by Chris W. Designs. Â This pattern is the most “authentic” looking backpack I could find, with padded and shaped straps and great pockets.
This is a streamlined version, with a front zipper pocket instead of  a pocket with flap.  I added a side water bottle pocket made from mesh, with an adjustable elastic pull.  The cord stop is a kitty, but it did not cooperate with my photography.
For the lining I chose Mario. Â Because it’s Mario. Â And his gold coins.
The interior pocket is elasticized to hold some electronic device like a laptop or iPad. Â Or a small cat. Â The cat print is a fat catloaf. Â Just like my fat cat model Tippy. Â He’s actually not fat, he’s big boned.
This backpack screams my girly’s name. Â Northern Lights, video games from the 90s, fat black cat. Â She’ll be stylin.’
I learned everything I know about modeling growing up in the 1970’s. Â From a Fig Newton commercial.*
But let’s look at the dress instead of talking about my awkward runway skills. Â The pattern is the Jenny dress by Sis Boom Pattern Company. Â The fabric is a soft and gorgeous chambray.
I must tell you of my love for patterns by Sis Boom. Â They actually include pieces for cup size adjustments. Â In my experience with four of their patterns, I can measure and print and the finished garment actually fits on the first try.
This dress is so comfortable and covers everything I want to keep covered. Â It is also figure flattering in real life.
*Sad but true. Â If you remember the commercial, there was a dude in a Big Fig costume. Â He did a song and dance, and did a Lord of the Dance type pose. Â Every photo op from my youth, and into my twenties, included my Big Fig pose. Â Even now I can barely keep my arms down when my picture is snapped. Â The struggle is real, people.
The quilt, not the lovely BBC programme.
So happy to have my DA Christmas quilt back in the house.
The amazing quilting on this one was done by Natalia Bonner, quilting book author and free-motion quilter extraordinaire.
Natalia had free rein on the quilting. Â The only thing I asked was to include…
God save the Queen. Â Very British, by golly.
This fabric has been screaming to me in my sewing room.
I love color. Â I love bold. Â And I don’t own a black purse.
This is the larger version of the Companion Carpet Bag pattern by Mrs. H. Â The purse frame is from Emmaline Bags.
I think I could carry camping supplies in here. Â Like I would go camping!
The sparkle vinyl bottom will protect against cooties. Â Because purses are prone to catching cooties.
Multi-tasking in purse form. Â This is the Betsy Bag, from the pattern by Betsy LaHonta.
The amazing tan fabric that looks like leather? Â It is actually a paper product called Kraft-tex.
It can be washed and dried, cut and sewn.
The top of the bag can be tucked in so it behaves like a purse.
Then pop that out and move the handles and voila! Â It’s a tote.
There are drawstrings so I can keep all my birds from flying away.
I just happened to have (not kidding) two hot pink cord locks in my collection.
The lining has ukuleles all over.
Added bonus – I got to use lots of shiny hardware!
It’s a girl!
This precious fabric is the Little Red Riding Hood collection from Riley Blake.
The big bad wolf and grandmother’s cottage are also adorably represented.
And, of course, the mushrooms?
Guess the name of the new little niece…
The pattern is free on the Moda Bakeshop website  http://www.modabakeshop.com/2014/04/charm-party-baby-quilt-bonus-pillow.html
After making the HSTs for the quilt, I ended up with smaller leftover HSTs.
They became this little dolly quilt. Â When Ava has a little baby, the baby can have a blanky like hers!
I chose this fun Hawaiian print for the backing.
I actually quilted this one myself!
Sometimes it seems like a stack of fabric is burning a hole in your fabric collection. Â Like you just have to use it, and use it now.
I had this bundle of Fibs & Fables fabric by Anna Maria Horner. Â Dying to use it, I was in between other quilting projects.
I pulled a book off my shelf, Tula Pink’s Quilts from the House of Tula Pink. Â
I picked the Dream Weaver pattern.
The solid is Essex yarn-dyed linen. Â This is one of my new favorite “solids” to use in my quilts.
I love the denim-y look of the Essex. Â In my world, everything goes with denim.
The quilting was done by Lea Ingram here on Kauai. Â I love the vertical rope-like look in the sashing.
Tippy the panther has claimed his spot at the foot of the bed. Â No close-ups of the cat hair today.
handmade by Carole Carr 