Patriotic Bags, Creative Problem Solving, and My New Exercise Program

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I decided I absolutely needed a large patriotic fabric bag. You know, something perfect for carrying all the essentials: snacks, projects, water bottles, extra snacks, and probably fabric I don’t actually need to buy but somehow always comes home with me.

For this project, I pulled out one of my favorite designers fabric collections, Sew America by J. Wecker Frisch for Riley Blake Designs. The vintage patriotic imagery in this line is absolutely wonderful, and the panels practically begged to become the focal point of a bag.

The panels were the perfect size and design for this project. Sometimes a fabric collection practically tells you what it wants to become, and this one was shouting, “Make me into a holiday tote!”

Of course, no sewing project would be complete without a little adventure.

Somewhere between my planning stage and my cutting stage, my fabric calculations and reality had a disagreement. Apparently, I was just a bit short on fabric. Rather than admit defeat, I did what quilters do best—I called it a design choice.

I added a large patriotic star to each side of the bag, and honestly, I think the bag ended up looking even better than my original plan.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

The quilting portion went surprisingly smoothly. I found the most perfect shade of blue thread that matched the fabric beautifully. You know those moments when everything comes together exactly as you imagined? This was one of them.

Naturally, the sewing gods couldn’t allow things to go too smoothly.

When I attached the handles to the outside of the bag, I somehow forgot to account for seam allowances. Apparently, my math skills packed up and left the room for a snack break. The handles ended up exactly where they weren’t supposed to be.

Out came the seam ripper.

I sometimes think my seam ripper should be considered a co-designer on most of my projects. It certainly gets enough use.

After fixing the handles, I confidently stitched everything together, turned the bag… and discovered I had sewn my turning opening closed.

Yes.

The very hole that was supposed to let me turn the bag right side out.

So once again, my faithful seam ripper made a dramatic return appearance. At this point, it was getting more sewing time than I was.

Eventually, after a few choice words, several cups of coffee, and some determined persistence, everything finally came together.

The finished bag turned out exactly as I’d hoped. Well… maybe not exactly as I’d planned, but sometimes those are the best projects.

Along the way, I also managed to knock an entire pile of sewing clips onto the floor. They scattered in every direction with impressive speed and efficiency. So if anyone visits my sewing room in stocking feet anytime soon, I recommend signing a liability waiver first.

Despite all the hiccups, the redesigns, the seam ripping, and the clip explosion, I absolutely love this bag. It’s roomy, patriotic, sturdy, and ready for summer adventures.

Sometimes the projects that fight you the hardest end up becoming your favorites.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pick up approximately 347 sewing clips from under my sewing cabinet. Oh, and I have more of the panels from this line so let’s see what else I can create. Stay tuned…

Quilted Coats

Some people relax with yoga.

Some people meditate.

I apparently look at a pile of fabric scraps and think, “You know what this needs? Sleeves.”

At some point in my creative life, quilting stopped being confined to throws and beds and quietly wandered into my closet. What began as “maybe I’ll make a simple jacket” has evolved into me aggressively explaining batting weights to innocent strangers at fabric stores.

Quilted coats are a very specific kind of personality trait.

Normal people see a coat and think: "Nice jacket.”

Quilters see a coat and think: “Interesting… but what if it had hand-stitched binding, six different cotton prints, wool appliqué moths, and approximately 80 hours of emotional attachment?”

There is also no casual way to make a quilted coat. You don’t simply “throw one together.” No. You begin by cutting 4,372 tiny pieces of fabric while confidently saying things like:

"This will be quick.” Three weeks later, you’re sitting under a mountain of thread clippings questioning your life choices while trying free-motion quilting spirals at 1:00 a.m.

And yet… somehow… it’s worth it.

Because there is nothing quite like wearing a coat that feels like a walking art piece. A coat that says:

"Yes, I made this.”

"Yes, every seam took forever.”

"And yes, I absolutely did quilt through all those bulky layers without crying. Much.”

Quilted coats also attract attention in public in ways I was not prepared for.

People stop you constantly: " Where did you buy that?”

And there’s always a tiny moment of pride before answering: "Oh… I made it.” Which is secretly quilting language for:

"Please admire my persistence and my ability to wrestle a king-sized fabric sandwich through a sewing machine.”

The truth is, I love that quilted coats combine everything I enjoy: color, texture, storytelling, creativity, and just a slight amount of chaos.

Also, they allow me to wear what is essentially a blanket in public without anyone questioning it.

And honestly? That may be the greatest achievement of all. So here's to my next quilted coat, already in progress. 💖

Finding my way back to Blogging

It’s strange how quickly time passes.

When I last sat down to write here, life looked very different. At the time, I had no idea just how many creative paths I would wander down over the next several years, or how many wonderful people I would meet along the way.

And now, after such a long silence, it feels right to return.

Since my last blog post, creativity has continued to shape my life in ways I never expected. What started years ago as a love of making and creating has grown into so many adventures, opportunities, and late-night projects spread across my studio tables.

Somewhere along the way, I started a YouTube channel, which has been both exciting and a little terrifying at times. Sharing pieces of my process, ideas, and creative world with others has opened doors to conversations and connections I truly treasure.

I’ve continued attending art festivals over the years as well — setting up booths, hauling displays, meeting fellow artists and art lovers, and learning something new at every event. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive awards for my work, moments that still feel surreal and deeply humbling.

My art doll work also found its way into national publications, something my younger me would hardly have believed possible. Seeing my creations printed and shared beyond my own studio walls was one of those milestones that quietly changes how you see yourself as an artist.

 

And then came quilting.

What began as curiosity slowly became another creative obsession — one filled with fabric scraps, thread, texture, color, and storytelling stitched together piece by piece. Quilting has brought new challenges, new inspiration, and incredibly kind and talented people into my life. To my surprise and gratitude, some of my quilting work has also received awards along the way.

More than anything, these years have reminded me how generous and encouraging creative communities can be. I’ve met so many wonderful people through art, quilting, festivals, classes, and travel — people whose creativity and kindness continue to inspire me.

There has been traveling too. Some trips were planned, others spontaneous, but all of them added fuel to the creative fire. New places have a way of changing how you see color, texture, architecture, nature, and even storytelling itself.

 

 

 

 

And now, here I am again.

Still making.
Still experimenting.
Still surrounded by works in progress.

Right now my studio is overflowing with ideas in various states of completion — quilting projects spread across tables and chairs, sketches waiting to become something larger, new bag and textile concepts, art pieces slowly taking shape, and more than a few ambitious designs that may or may not behave themselves.

I thought returning to blogging might be a good way to share more of that journey again — not just the finished pieces, but the process, the mess, the inspiration, the mistakes, and the stories behind the work.

So this is my return.

Not perfectly polished.
Not with a grand plan.
Just a creative person finding her way back to sharing again.

And honestly, that feels like a pretty good place to begin.

Sweet Meadows Farms Give-a-Way

I just love Maureen's designs and just have to give a shout out about her fantastic pattern give-a-way!  You can find her at:
http://sweetmeadowsfarm.blogspot.com/

Some Wonderful Wings

I want to share this give-a-way, but more than that, I wanted to share these wonderful wings.  They are so angelic and would be perfect for a doll.

Be sure to check out her blog at:

http://cameocottagedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/12/angelic-angel-wing-giveaway.html

Something to ponder....

I have been doing a lot of thinking and thought it's time to write another entry to my blog.  I've not written in a while, but decided it was time to write again.

What has been on my mind is this "pattern sharing" everyone in the art world (or at least my circle of it) has been talking about.  I'm not talking about a pattern two friends sit down and create something together.  Some of my best loved patterns were those who belonged to my best friend who died of cancer a couple of years ago.  Those patterns were well loved and have her hand-written notes on them.  Some of my fondest memories of are our shopping together for patterns and spending time making those items together. They are special to me because they were hers and I'm thankful that her children passed them onto me.   

What I'm talking about is something I only learned about around a year ago; pattern sharing, exchanging, or trading.  And something I've recently learned about; the selling of patterns on sites like Ebay and claiming them as ones they don't use anymore, yet they seem to have an endless supply.  I started looking into this further and was shocked these last few days to realize that there are people who purchase a pattern, copy it and then resell that designer's pattern over and over again.  I guess I was a little naive because I had a hard time believing that someone would actually do this.  I knew right away it was wrong and still can't believe someone would actually do that. 

Then there's those who are doing trading, exchanging or sharing.  These aren't people who are sitting down at a table and working on something together like I did with my friend, but people who are scanning patterns and emailing them all over the world to their friends and people they don't even know but somehow connected through the Internet.  They seem to think that because they purchased the pattern they can share it with whomever they wish.  This seems very wrong to me.  And I can't help but think, could some of these "shared" patterns end up with those Ebay sellers?  Do these people even realize they may have supplied a pattern to someone who will sell it over and over again.  Do these people care if they did?

I know I just dabble in pattern design and wish someday to have the time where I could stay home and design all the time.  But there are some people who this is their livelihood. This is how they pay their bills.  And I consider many of these designers my friends.  I feel very badly that this is happening to them, as well as those who are like me, designing as a hobby.  Worse, as the economy continues to struggle, I only see this getting worse.

So, where does that leave me.  I have hundreds of patterns that I've purchased over the years.  Most I've purchased directly from the designer.  Some from their authorized stores and/or dealers.  But some I've gotten out of that craft show sale bin and Ebay.  Now, I even wonder, did I purchase a pattern that someone may have copied and resold?  Will I ever buy from a bin like that again?  Probably not.  Will I ever buy another pattern from places like Ebay again?  Only if I know I'm getting it from the designer.

I realize in the grand scheme of life, this may not seem important to some.  However, to my designer friends, it is important to them and therefore, important to me.  Also, my parents taught me right from wrong and whatever someone calls it, pattern sharing, trading, exchanging or selling those "ones" that they just don't use anymore but always seem to have an endless supply, is simply wrong.

So, my little piece of advise today is if you are purchasing a pattern, online class, or book, please be sure to take the extra time to make sure you are getting it from the designer or a legitimate supplier.  Because after all, right is right, but wrong is wrong.

Fall brings the Pfatt Blog Fall Give-a-Way

Even though our temperatures are still in the 90's fall is almost here and with fall comes the Pfatt Blog Fall Give-a-Way.  I love all the Pfatt artists and their give-a-way is certainly one of the best.  Be sure to jump over to their blog and enter to win!

You also want to check out their blog on the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering September 30th - October 1st in Northville, MI.  I have never attended this event, but have told it's not one to miss and hope to attend, perhaps even this year.

You'll find the Pfatt Blog at: http://pfatt.blogspot.com/