Happy First Anniversary, Shades of Bold Blog, With Giveaway

This contest is now closed.

Wow, has it only been one year?  One year ago today, I wrote my first blog.  It was hard to write a blog that no one else might read but it gave me time to figure out the ropes.  How many hits would I get on my blog in the first year?  I had no clue.  I was hoping that somehow over the year I might eventually get 5,000.  Well, all of you wonderful people who have a been a part of my blog by stopping by have amazed me.  I reached 20,801 hits in my first year.  Thank you all so very much.

I have made so many new friends in this blog year.  Friends from all around the globe.  So many different backgrounds but all drawn together by our passion for sewing.  You all inspire me everyday and on the difficult days, you push me forward.  For that I thank each and everyone of you.

Now is my time to give back.  How about fabric??  Funny thing is, we all have "too much fabric" but "not enough fabric" at the same time.  Don't even try to figure it out.

I am giving away six 1/2 yard pieces of fabric from my stash.  That is 3 yards total to one lucky winner, US or International.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to enter.  One comment per person, please.  A random number will be drawn on Tuesday, February 3rd and will be posted on my blog.  Please make sure that I have a way to contact you.  Here are the fabrics:

Set one.

Set two.

Set three.

Sorry the last picture is fuzzy.

Good luck to everyone.  Thanks, again, for a great first year.  On to year #2.

Rosanna Tote Bag

I can finally show you a test bag I did a while back from a designer I have never sewn for before.  The Rosanna Tote Bag is from Maria Petrova of Delinda Boutique.  This is a huge bag (17" high, 3" deep and 16 - 18" across) but so fun to make.  If you want a smaller bag, you can print the pattern at 80%.

First of all, I have never done any patchwork and the front of this bag was calling me.  I get remnants from a local furniture store.  I am limited to what I can use them for.  This bag was perfect.  I used all kinds of textured fabric on this bag along with some wool that I had in my stash.

The back of the bag has a hidden zipper pocket between the wool fabric on top and the leaf fabric.

The side of the bag has a gusset that forms a triangle to allow for more room at the bottom of the bag.

The top of the bag can be closed with either a magnetic snap or a zipper.  I chose the zipper closure.

All of the tester bags looked so different.  There are so many choices with this bag.

The directions are clear and concise and the pattern is loaded with lots of great pictures.  Want to make one of your own?  you can get the pattern on her etsy page here.

Sew Along Sugar and Spice Bag Part 3

Last week, I set some deadlines to make sure I kept up on the sew along while doing other projects.  This week, I needed to do steps 3 through 8.  I hoped to be there by Friday evening but I finally completed these steps Saturday AM when I inserted the rivets.

I cut back on a lot of the piping because I felt that this bag is certainly busy enough.  But I do love the piping on at least the pockets, so that is what I did.

Through February 1, I need to complete steps 9 through 12.  I'll be assembling the outside of the bag, ready the zipper with tabs and make the recessed zipper.  I'll start working with the lining by making the slip pockets and applying.

If you are participating, I hope that you are well on your way.....

Sew Along - Sugar and Spice Bag Part 2

For those of you that are following along, you know that we are in the midst of Chris W Designs Patterns Facebook Page Sugar and Spice Sew Along.  This is one of my favorite bag patterns by Christine.  As of last night, we should have had all of our pattern pieces cut and fused.

I just made it!  I had been very sick earlier in the week and then I had to complete a test bag but deadlines help me so...I made it!

Shades of bold ?  You aren't really that surprised.  It has already been winter here long enough...I need some brightness.  This should do it!

The sew along runs until February 12 so there is still time to get involved.  Join the group here.  There are prizes involved.

Since I will be working on other projects as well, I decided to set some deadlines to keep me on track.

Jan 19 - 25   Steps 3 - 8 (Straps - Finish Piping)
Jan 26 - Feb 1  Steps 9 - 12 (Assemble Exterior - Recessed Zipper)
Feb 2 - Feb 8  Steps 13 - 16 (Assemble Lining - Finish Straps)
Feb 9 - Take pictures and submit!

Chris W Designs Patterns Facebook Page Sew Along

I cut my teeth on my bag making with the Chris W Designs Coco Bag.  I have learned so much about sewing great bags from Christine.  Her patterns are thorough, clear, concise and, I must admit, a little intimidating the first time you see them.  They consist of a ton of pictures and a large number of pages with directions.  But...if you follow the directions step by step...before you know it, you have a beautiful, professional looking bag and you will be so proud of your accomplishment.

How would you like to make one of her best bags, Sugar and Spice, with a group of other sewists, getting any help you need along the way?  If you are more of a bag expert, join along, too...you could be the help someone else needs.

What do you need to do?  Join the Chris W Designs Facebook Page here.  It is a closed group so you will need to be accepted.  No problem there.  Rachel Anaya has been gracious enough to run this sew along and she has some general guidelines on her blog, Tiger In A Tornado here.

I will be blogging throughout this month long project.  It begins on Monday, January 12, and ends February 12.  Here are some of the Sugar and Spice Bags I have made.

 All of them have new homes except one.  Time to make more....

Here are some of the general guidelines;

By January 12

Buy the pattern from Chris W Designs pattern store here.

Read over the pattern.

Print the paper pattern pieces.Gather fabric and supplies.

Read the pattern, again.

January 12 - January 19

Cut all of the pattern pieces out of your fabric.

Fuse the interfacing and fleece.

January 19 - February 12

Sew.

Here is the fabric I have selected, as well as the pattern pieces and hardware.  I'm all set!!!!  Hope you join in, too.

January Bag of the Month : The Companion Carpet Bag, Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H

The New Year has arrived and I have been very busy.  I am currently testing a bag from a designer that is new to me and I am excited to show it to you when it is released.  It is not like anything I have made before so it has been fun.  I even had to do one sewing technique that I have not done since high school...and trust me, that was a long time ago.

I, also, have been preparing for a sew along on Chris W Design Patterns Facebook page that starts on Monday, January 12.  I will tell you more about that tomorrow.

Today, I want to share my version of the January Bag of the Month.  I hope you are participating this year.  Last year was so much fun.  And guess what?  I won a 2nd prize with my version of The Poolside Tote.
I digress...back to this fun bag, The Companion Carpet Bag by Samantha at Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H.  This bag was the first time I have used a metal frame, so that was a fun learning.  This bag calls for an internal frame.  (An external frame bag is still on my to do list...please listen independent designers!)

I used a prequilted fabric remnant that I had in my stash that was waiting for the perfect bag for it.  This was the one because this bag just calls for a heavier weight fabric and handles it with ease.  I made a navy faux suede piping for the front pocket and matching straps and strap tabs.

I made the smaller sized bag (there is a small size and a large one).  But, it is huge on the inside.  You can see how wide it is by looking at it from the side.

Look at it with the frame fully extended!  Huge!  It will fit anything I would be carrying.

The bottom of the bag has feet to keep it up off the floor.

Thanks, Samantha, for a fun and different bag and a great start to the Bag of the Month Club 2015.  You can still get in on the club.  Find out more info here.  You can find other patterns from Sewing Patterns by Mrs H here.  I have personally made several Convertible Bags and one Nappy Bag.  Her patterns are great.  OK, I'm ready for the February bag.....except I have tons to do before it gets here.