The Cabin Crew...April 2013

I am a lucky person; belonging to Scrapbaggers' quilt group is a privilege and a pleasure. We are 9 women strong and have monthly meetings.  Everyone tries to attend.  I hate to miss a meeting.  Last weekend 7 of us got together at Debbie's cabin and had a sew-a-thon.  Most of us were up early (not me) and stayed up late sewing or I should say creating.

It's a laugh filled time at the cabin in northern Minnesota.  Everyone Sews, tells stories, eats great food and on Saturday night we have movie time.  I'll have to remember to bring popcorn next time.  The movie is always a 'chick flick'...this time we watched Wedding Date.  Love that movie.

Here are a few pics from the weekend.  I decided not to include my Chevy Tahoe being towed away at the end of the weekend...depressing way to end such a wonderful time.  It won't start.  A few hundred dollars and a few new parts and I was homeward bound.

A free slideshow design by Smilebox

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

Easy - Peasy Vinyl Zipper Bag

Easy – Peasy Vinyl Zipper Bag

‘Sew’ easy you will want to make one for all your friends!

Easy – Peasy is a term coined in the 1970s by a little girl in a British TV commercial.  In the commercial dishes were being washed by her mom using Lemon Squeezy detergent.  When the dirty dishes were clean the little girl said to her mom… “Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy” and hence a new phrase was invented.

  

Necessities

2 Outer Cover Designs (paper or fabric)

Fabric for Lining and Zipper Stoppers

2 Pieces Fusible Vinyl (Available at Glad Creations 612-724-1079)

1 Zipper

Extra Tools

Sewing Machine

Rotary Tools

Tape

Pinking Shears

Curved Template

Permanent Marker

Zipper Foot                                            

To Begin:

Cutting:

1½” x 3” rectangle for zipper stoppers

2 - 8½ x 5 ½” fabric for lining (Cut the 8½” measurement on the straight of grain)

9” x 12” fusible vinyl

***FYI…You can make this bag as big as you want.  The zipper just will need to be trimmed 1” smaller than the width of your lining fabric.

Fold the 1½” x 3” rectangle in half and press right sides together.  Fold sides in toward center and press.  Fold in half and press well.  Cut in half.

Tape Zipper to your cutting board.  Move zipper down about 2”.   Place tape approx 1½” down from end.  With rotary cutter cut a straight edge just below the zipper stoppers.

 Insert cut zipper end into fabric zipper stopper fabric.  Pin.

 Sew catching both front and back of fabric zipper stopper fabric.

Trim zipper 1” shorter than width of lining material (7½”)  Repeat - Insert cut zipper end into fabric zipper stopper fabric.  Pin.

Vinyl:  Iron front cover material (Remember the Ladies picture) to fusible vinyl following the manufacture instructions.

Cover design under protective vinyl paper

Fusible vinyl

Once vinyl is stuck to front, flip, and iron top side.  Use protective  vinyl paper!

Trim off excess vinyl.

Mark a curve on the front bottom corners with a permanent marker. Use a template or drinking glass or measuring cup.

Sew front section to zipper:  
Place front facing up.  Center and place zipper pull side down.  Pin to front with very small pin ‘bites’.  The zipper pull should be on the right.  Place lining face down.  Use a few more pins taking very small pin ‘bites’. 

Fit your machine with a zipper foot and sew zipper in place.  Be careful of the zipper pull.  Once your foot gets close it will need to be moved.  With your needle in the down position, reach between the layers and move the zipper out of the way.

Press front and lining wrong sides together perfectly flat with zipper exposed.  

Top stitch next to seam.

Sew back section to zipper:  Place back facing up.  Place zipper/front section facing down.  Pin together with very small pin ‘bites’.  Place lining face down.  Use a few more pins taking very small pin ‘bites’. Sew as before moving the zipper when necessary.  Make sure front and back are even.

Press front and lining wrong sides together. Top stitch near zipper.

Trim off any lining fabric that might peek out.

Bring linings together and pin front and back together (lining in the middle) taking small pin ‘bite’.  Line up top edges near zipper.  Pin bottom corners using a hefty pin ‘bite’.   

Start stitching about a quarter inch down from top edge them back stitch to top edge.  Continue stitching around edges and along curved drawn line at bottom corners.  Back stitch at other top edge as well.

Use pinking shears to cut around edge.  Voila - Done!!!

Enjoy!!!
Annemarie
www.QuiltsRemembered.com

A few other ideas for bags…vintage cpatterns…pretty wrapping paper...copy a picture of your favorite quilt or family photo...and …of course your favorite fabric.   

FREE pattern – Rebecca

 It has been a very long time since my last blog posting.  Quilts, quilts, quilts...and lots of them have flown under my sewing machine needle.   

Rebecca's label

Before the 2012 Fall Quilt Market in Houston, Texas I was asked by Windham Fabrics to design a quilt using their new fabric line "Rebecca".  Of course I was thrilled to be asked and got right to work.  Time is always short and designing/sewing process has to be quick.  I finished the quilt, naming it Rebecca - I know, the name isn't very original.  I wrapped it up and sent it off to Windham for photography.  The quilt appeared both in their catalog and Quilt Market booth.  Once Market was over I thought that was the end of the quilt and its appearance in the quilt world.  But, oh not so fast...last week Windham contacted me wanting a pattern for the Rebecca quilt, and by-the-way could it be done in less than a week.  Never say no is my motto.  With pencil and computer working at mach speed I made the deadline.  The pattern is now FREE to download from the Windham's website.  Anyone with a computer can access the pattern!  Check it out and the other wonderful free patterns Windham Fabrics offers.

Windham Fabrics booth.  Rebecca quilt on the table.

 

Rebecca - All fabric available January 2013 from Windham Fabrics.  Free pattern available ,

Here are a few other quilts I have designed using Windham’s Fabric lines.  (Pattern available where noted.)

Mary Todd's Garden - Pattern Available from www.QuiltsRemembered.com or your local quilt shop.   (Appliques are slightly different in the pattern.)

A Classic Paring (Originally named:  Stars for Alexandria)- Pattern Available in All Small Magazine from American Patchwork & Quilting  2012

Parlor Romance...Pattern not available

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Happy Quilting,
Annemarie

#2 - International Quilt Market 2012…Houston, Texas

This is the second installment of my International Quilt Market 2012 blog.  My booth was positioned smack dab in the middle of the convention floor.  It was comfortably nestled between Marcus Brother Fabrics, Red Crinoline (formerly Bonnie Blue) and EZ Quilting products.  It was a very nice space with terrific neighbors!

Darlene celebrated with a 20^th year in business with EZ designs

Pam and Mary Ellen from Red Crinoline…thank you ladies for the Pimento Cheese spread lunch.  Our “drug” of choice at lunch time; I so enjoyed it!

Love the fall decorating idea at Red Crinoline’s booth

I want you to see some of the wonderful displays around the market floor.  Unfortunately, I don’t have the opportunity to leave my booth very often.  Being a 'one woman show' makes it hard to get out and wander.  But, every once in a while a wonderful friend comes to relieve me and I get to stretch my legs.  Here are just a few pictures I took of some of my favorite booth displays.  Enjoy!

Anthology always has a intriguing booth display

Cute aprons at the Timeless Treasure booth.  (I didn’t see quite as much clothing sewing at this show)

The fabric mummies were unusual from Me and My Sister.  Torso forms ‘seamed’ to be a theme.

Flower covered bodice – just for fun! EZ Designs booth

Maybe…a reminder to get younger generations interesting in sewing?

Moda had two booth styles going…paint cans & sticks and camping.  Really enjoyed the ‘50s travel trailer!

Moda

Carolyn Friedlander from Florida is a young new designer.  LOVED her booth. 

Annemarie in MN