Improvisational Zipper Bag

My local MQG had a "improvisational zipper bag" exchange last week, so I thought I'd share the bag I made.

This is as improv as I get.  I had some B & C Happy Go Lucky wedges left over from a project, and thought they'd pair perfectly with Moda Linen.  I pieced the wedges, added the linen strips, backed it with fusible batting and a green print, and quilted it with simple straight lines.  For the back I just sandwiched linen, fusible batting and the green print; no quilting. 

 
I sewed on a zipper with tabs, top-stitched, turned with right sides together, sewed a 1/4" seam and finished the edges with a zigzag stitch.     

added a HGL fat quarter just for fun

I really do like how it turned out.  And seeing the other exchange bags was really fun.  You just can't have too many zipper bags.  : )

Come see what I'm up to on Instagram!

Linking to Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday

A Teeny Tiny Dresden & A Giveaway

Hi Hoppers! (And those who just happened by.)

Today is the day I show off my project for Sew We Quilt's Dare to Dresden Blog Hop.  Mine may be the smallest of them all (hmm, I wonder if there's a prize for that). I turned my teeny little Dresden, made of American Jane fabrics (love those), into a little pincushion which measures 4" square. And since it has a heart button for the center, it also doubles as a Valentine decoration. Sweet. 

For more Dresden projects, check out the other blogs participating today:

Charlotte H @ “that Other Blog”

Clothes and Crafts --- Moved to 31st

It Seams to be Sew

Merry Gay in Stitches

Water Penny

Granny Good Stuff

Under the Presser Foot

More Stars in Comanche

      Sew Me Something Good

The Day Before This Day

Livin' Blue Quilter
 I Piece 2 Mary

      Kwilty Pleasures
  Espritpatch
   Nutz4Redwork

Actually the hop runs from Jan. 24-31, so there are several projects for each of those days. Thanks to Mdm. Samm and Christine for hosting this fun event.

Now for the giveaway part - leave a comment telling me who your favorite fabric designer is.  The randomly chosen winner will receive a charm pack of her (or his) choosing from my store.  Winner chosen on Jan. 6. Oops!  Drawing will be Feb. 6. Thanks M.E. Stephens!

I'll be back in a few days to give a report on my trip to Road To California.  See ya then!

Linking to:  Sunny Simple Sundays
                Katherine's Corner Thursday Favorite Things 
                     Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday

My 1st Scrappy Trip Along Block

Sooo, have you joined the scrappy trip along yet?  I signed up with the Flickr group and there are now over 700 members!  Fun to see all the variations.  I finally got my first block done (and finished a second late last night).  I've been wanting to make this quilt forever, and was thrilled when I saw the group get started.  I plan on making mine from several lines of American Jane fabrics; they all work together so nicely.

I took some of the scraps and cut 30 degree wedges for a tiny Dresden plate.  Each unfinished wedge measures 2 1/2" long.  This is for an upcoming blog hop so stay tuned.  : ) 

Still working on the binding on this quilt.  Will do a show'n'tell when it's finished.  

Linking to:  Sunny Simple Sundays

Retreat Pics & Some Quilting Tips

As promised, I'm back with pictures from our guild retreat I attended a couple of weeks ago.  Last time, I shared pictures from the Utah State Quilt Show; you can see them here.  OK here we go:

My quilting buddies:

Christa (machine quilter extraordinaire)

Georgi (generally known for trouble-making & causing laughter somewhere)

Here we're working on getting my Sunflower Rail Fence quilt basted.  It goes SO much faster when your friends jump in and help out.  There wasn't room in the retreat, so I found some tables out in the hallway.  Yes, that's duct tape holding my backing down.  My husband was supposed to pick up some masking tape for me, but forgot.  So, duct tape to the rescue. 

I am a traditional quilter at heart, but I just love this one.  On the back is the prettiest blue and green print by Denise Schmidt.  Sorry, I didn't get the quilter's name; she was new at the retreat.

Ah, red and white, such a classic.  It's on my list of must-do's.  Colleen has been working on this for the last few retreats and it's coming together beautifully.  Maybe next year a picture of the finished quilt?  Hopefully.

This black & white quilt is what Georgi was working on the whole time.  I hear it's at the quilter's now (with the 3 remaining borders added), and is a gift for her granddaughter (lucky girl). Next, is a hand-piecing project that Christa brought; this one's on the 10+ year plan.  She did get the quilting finished on a baby quilt during the weekend, and lot of quilting done on another one (pic at top of page). 

Here's Yvonne (aka the Retreat Reg. Chairman) with her string quilt.  Another one on my must-do list.  Love it.

I mostly worked on my Dresden Plate blocks.  I decided to machine-applique around the outside edges, and hand-applique around the inside edges.  I tried to machine-applique the inside, but it didn't turn out too well.  I've been looking for a nice hand-sewing project, so now I've got one.

The uber-talented, longarmer Cory Allender from St. George, Utah was our speaker on Saturday night.   She hung around until Sunday and let us ask questions.  Here's a tip about quilt batting she shared with us - use 80/20 (cotton/poly) or wool batting for quilt tops with some fullness, and use Warm 'n' Natural or Quilter's Dream for tops which lie flat.  She also doubles her batting in some quilts to give them more "drape".  She recommends blocking your quilts (for quilt shows) while wet on foam boards.  She's an expert, her quilts are FLAT.   Sorry, I only have this blurry picture of her, and this (not so good) one of her quilt.  I shared a picture in this post of her stunning "Daisy" at the Utah State Quilt Show.

Can't wait 'till next year!  

Linking to Sunny Simple Sundays

Linking to My 1929 Charmer