Purple Passion Purse

Purple Passion Purse
Originally uploaded by GeneBlack

This purse is not quilted. It is simply constructed with a fusible fleece and a cotton fabric lining. I loved the purple fabric design and didn't think that quilting or anything else would add to that energy.
It is a simple design with a velcro closure.

Blue bird

bluebird
Originally uploaded by GeneBlack

After seeing John's ( Quiltdad ) fabric birdies, I had to download the pattern and give it a try. My little blue bird did not have an eye so I added one with my ever handy Sharpie marker. I am planning to sew on some little black beads for eyes.
If you want to see John's birds and get the link to the pattern, got to ( Quiltdad ) and read the post titled "Tweet"

Thanks John, I will be making more of these.


****Edit****
The links to John's site (Quiltdad) weren't working, but I have fixed them now. Thanks for the heads up, Wanda!

Quilted Book Cover - Before Breakfast

Quilted Book Cover
Originally uploaded by GeneBlack

Okay, I admit it, I got going and forgot to eat. Do any of you do that?

I bought a few little blank journals just for this project. I simply make a quilted cover for the book and slide the book into it. I used random wavy quilting lines and pieced strips for the cover. The lining and flap covers are all the darker green with floral fabric. This is the second one I made. The first one, made last night, was a tight fit, so I adjusted my measurements slightly for this one. I didn't photograph the first one yet. The reason is that it matches a purse that is still in progress. Woo woo...I am making a set. Ha ha...it was sort of accidental but if someone buys both it will make a cute set. Should I make a purse to match this book?


I am editing to add the Purse and Book Combo. Also check the closure detail on the purse. I found this button with a chain and put another button that the chain fastens over. I think it is a cute idea and adds a little zip to the purse.

More Purses

More purses are being made. I am planning to sell them at the Christmas show at church in Guntersville. The two strip purses are named after the materials used. I had pre-cut strips of fabric that I joined to make the exterior and straps. Each of these has two pockets inside.

The Tulip purse started with a paper pieced Tulip pattern and was built from there. It is a "lunch bag" purse with on big pocket/divider inside. The Back is free-motion quilted to add some extra interest.

The Blue Jean Bandana rag purse is still in progress. It needs a fastener AND it has yet to go thru the wash/dry process to make the fringe all raggy and soft. There is one small pocket in it - right where I want to put the fastener so I am still pondering how to solve that problem. No fears, I will find a clever solution today when I go shopping. (isn't that a great excuse to shop?)

Giveaway - LINK

Hey, Pumpkin Patch Primitives is having another giveaway.

In case that link doesn't work copy and paste this http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-give-away.html to go there and enter. Good luck to you...but I hope I win!

Another Purse project

D-purse
Originally uploaded by GeneBlack

A friend asked me to make a purse. This purse will be a present. So I asked a few questions and I am trying to make the purse special for the recipient.
I think she wants it to be somewhat "scrappy" and maybe this will be too structured a design. I actually made up the design on the spur of the moment after looking thru my fabric stash. I meant for the back and front to be nearly identical but somehow I managed to make it mirror image. I really like that idea now...but I know it was just one of those fortuitous "accidents" and If I were trying to do it - Not gonna happen! Ha ha.

I love the vibrant colors of the reds and blues playing together. I have to decide on the sides, back and binding (if I bind it) I will probably quilt it all then sew in a lining with pockets - cause (I hear) a girl needs some organization in a big ole purse.
I am thinking of a tan fabric (maybe a mottled tan) for the sides and binding. What do you think? I could use the red or the blue that make the top and bottom bands - I have plenty of each of those left also.
Piecing this on the new machine was a dream. But I have to admit, the time flew by and I didn't realize it until I stopped. This could be dangerous. Hey, I kinda like a little danger!

It's new, it's fun, it is MINE

I got a new baby. For me this is a major investment in sewing. I went to a dealer and bought a Brother NX450Q Quilt Club sewng machine.

I have tried lots of the stitches and am having a GREAT time with it. I have in no way come near to trying everything this machine will do. In the center picture are two black square of fabric that I did some "test" stitches on. No problems there, it sews like a dream. I sewed on some buttons for a friend to try that feature. Excellent job of button attachment I must say. (No hand ewing on buttons for me.)

Features that I love already:
Thread cutter button - it also does automatic reinforcement and thread cutting - I will try that later.

Knee lifter- I just checked to see how it works but when I am paper piecing, I can see that as a real plus.

Lots of decorative stitches including 3 alphabet fonts.

Programmable stitch combinations - flow from one decorative stitich into another and if you find a combo you love you can save it. (I think there are 10 memory slots but I am not sure yet) If I find a combo I love I will probably write it down somewhere too.

Wanna read ALL about it? Go here

I will confess that I don't love the bobbin winding on it....that is okay; I have a Sidewinder. (if you don't know it is a bobbin winder and it is fast and easy) (Shop around if you decide on a Sidewinder, some places have big discount coupons -Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's, etc - and you can get it a lot cheaper. I just used that link to show it to you.

I love my new baby. Color me happy, that is the bottom picture - Me---> HAPPY.

EDIT: I discovered later that same day that I did the bobbin winding incorrectly. Now it winds nice and fast. --But I will still use the sidewinder.