It is my day to share what I have been working on recently! Mdm Samm of sew we quilt graciously provided the group of 50 signer-uppers with a pattern of her own design. Here is what she said about the inspiration behind the design.
"I called it the Tammy after watching some old movies with Sandra Dee and Debbie Reynolds playing the role of Tammy. In the 50's gingham was in its popularity as a fabric that screamed SUMMER. And you know how much I have a love affair with Riley Blake Designs GINGHAM ohhhh they will be our sponsors...." Later she announced that Corrado Cutlery will also sponsor, adding DOVO scissors to the giveaway opportunity.
So there is the story, in part, about the name and her fabric choices. Isn't that a lovely picture? She also spoke about making one in aqua colors to match her powder room and using laminate fabric for a cosmetic bag. Also a great idea. No doubt the blog hop participants will have some other great ideas beyond fabric choices! Today's participants are listed down below and the whole list in a prior list. Want the pattern but no participating this round? She does offer the pattern on her craftsy site if you to make your own.
Me? I went with a small project bag as Mdm Samm first suggested. I grabbed a table cloth from my buffet and headed into the local park to borrow a picnic table and attempt to get some outdoor shots.
front of the bag showing the scissors pockets
back of the bag showing the thread pockets
bag packed with the accessories I made
contents !
First, I must thank my friend Bev for the little kanzashi flower and the happy face button. It might look a little silly on Hoffman fabric but I think it adds a touch of whimsy---it makes ME smile! She was so kind to let me borrow her Clover flower makers recently so I could decide if I wanted to order my own---and which ones.
As you can see I made a matching needle case and thread catcher. I also made a Victorian thumb cushion and a tomato pin cushion packed with rosemary using a pattern I have had for umpteen years from Just Jennifer. I don't know how well the rosy pink fabric shows up in the pictures but it is small tone on tone dot from Lakeside Fabrics, as I recall. I have to admit that I annihilated an existing pincushion to get the rosemary from it though.
FYI, my friend Brenda made the hexagon flower that I still need to stitch down. It was left over from a large Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt she had made. I had talked to her about my wanting to make just one rosette for a Farmer's Wife Sampler I started last year. I didn't know what size hexie to start with to fit on a 6 inch finished background. She just handed me this one---with those little plastic pieces with the hole in the middle? Who makes those, do you know?? Don't take them out till you stitch it all down, she said! I think it will make a lovely addition to my quilt and I thank her as well.
I enjoyed making the bag though I must say that adding a clasp like this was an all new experience! I have made garments and I have quilted since 1988 but crafty items and purses, not so much. My mom has always been my "go-to" gal for sewing questions. Running up nearly 700 miles to have her look at something I do/did not understand is not possible. Carol of Just Let Me Quilt and cheerleader extraordinaire had to talk me down, via email recently. LOL
I will admit to having some troubles with the corners where the stitching holes seemed to be smaller in the rectangular frame. However, this was totally operator error, not the pattern. I was stuffing things up with a knitting needle and even resorted to a dab of hot glue (shhhhh! I don't think that was quite what I should have been doing!) In retrospect, I think I probably should have gotten the fusible fleece OUT of the seam allowances to reduce some of the bulk, cut it a quarter inch smaller all around then then I would not have had a double layer to shove up in that slot. I did cut some of it away in the open area where you turn the bag inside out and the stitching seemed to go a little easier. I also learned a bit on the first side I stitched.
I mentioned in a previous post that I had an anecdote to share about staging the photos. As I said, I was at our local park so definitely a public area. I was playing with this camera setting and that all around the dial, standing up, sitting down, posing Tammy at another angle. The nearby BMX bike racing area and the basketball court were hopping but no one around me in the pavilion. Then along the walking trail that passes in front of the pavilion came a girl who looked to be her teens along with two little girls maybe about 6 and 8, possibly her sisters. "OOOH, that's really pretty", the oldest one said. "Is that for sale?" I thanked her but told her " no, it is a sewing bag for me. I need to add some pictures to my blog" Then one of the little girls, pushing her bike and walking behind the other two said "that's pretty! Can I have it?" and she picks it up. Acts like she IS taking it or at least inspecting it more closely. I told her it probably would make a pretty purse but I was sorry, no, honey. The oldest girl said that the one who grabbed it "just loves purses". Maybe that blue flower and button caught her eye too?? You could fasten a chain, maybe a tiny swivel hook on the top of the frame, could you not?
Well enough about me! Won't you please hop over and see what the others who share the day made with their pattern and show them some bloggy love? THX for stopping by--------
Marlene
Anjeanette
Kristen
Marica
Lynn
Gingini
Linda J <<<<That's ME>>>>
Nicole
Judith
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