Fun and Simple Bag Project with Video Tutorial

 I got these adorable Coca Cola Canvas Bag Panels in recently. 

While I was making the shop sample I filmed my process since I opted to use different directions than what is printed directly on the panel. There is nothing wrong with their directions, I just wanted to make it using only a straight stitch and having no raw edges any where on the finished bag.

Here is the video:

If the video does not play for you here then you can watch it directly on my YouTube Channel by following this link: Coca Cola Canvas Tote Bag Video Tutorial

At the time of writing this I have quite a few of these bag panels:

Coca Cola Canvas Tote Bag Panel

I also have just ONE left of the same type of panel with a different motif:

Mr Bones Canvas Tote Bag Panel

To make these I used my Hot Ruler. If you don't have one of those they are pretty handy!

Hot Ruler

There is a similar product called the Hot Hemmer. I have them both, but used the Hemmer Ruler for this particular project. 

Hot Hemmer

The video tutorial is about 45 minutes long but if you aren't filming it and explaining what you are doing then you can make it a bit faster. So it's not a big investment in time or money.

Majestic Mountains

 I just finished a new shop sample last week. The quilt has been sent off to be long arm quilted so it isn't currently hanging in the shop yet.

The pattern I used is called Diva 5. It's a great pattern for a panel and includes instructions for the three current most popular panel widths of 24", 30" and 36". I had to adjust the pattern just a tad because this panel has a printed border around the outside that I wanted to cut off, but it's very easy to adjust. All I needed to do was add 1/2" to the cut measurements for the inner border that goes around the panel for the top and bottom border pieces. You can't even really tell that the top/bottom inner borders are a little wider than the sides!

The panel and most of the coordinates except the light blue are all from the Majestic collection. The light blue is from the Dry Brush collection and it's the Pale Blue one. Again, the pattern used is called Diva 5. If I still have enough of these fabrics left when the quilt comes back from the quilter then I will make up a few kits. The binding is going to be the dark blue fabric used in the quilt top. This is the challenge for quilt shop owners - as soon as I make up a sample whatever fabrics I used start selling quickly and sometimes I don't get the sample completely finished before I run out of the fabrics used! So if you want a kit sooner just let me know. You can leave a comment on this post or contact my shop, contact information can be found by following this link. 

And don't forget about the chance to win a new serger from the online FabShop Hop. See this post for details of how to participate and enter to win.

Finishing Up a Found Project

 I started doing a little cleaning in my sewing room. As so often happens, I found an unfinished project. I started it thinking I would kit it up for my shop, but decided to use a different pattern to feature the panel. So everything got tossed in a corner. 

Last weekend I decided to at least get the top together.

It's big for a kid quilt, 60" by 67.5". I don't know if I will quilt it myself or not, but at least the top is done. I don't have a purpose for this quilt anymore. I like the other pattern I decided to use for the kits much better than this one for this panel. But it's not terrible! Surely someone will like it. I'll put it in my "to be quilted" pile for now.

I do have a few more of these panels and some of the coordinates too if you'd like some for yourself. Click here to view the panel and coordinating fabrics I still have.

Panel Pattern :: Diva 5

 I have been on a mission lately to find some new patterns that feature a panel. This one is a "keeper."

I don't yet have any of these patterns in stock in my shop. I only got one copy since I was not familiar with this pattern company. Lots of folks have great ideas for quilt patterns, but it is a lot harder to write a good quilt pattern than most folks realize. I am happy to report that this is a great pattern! 

Here is my version of this pattern.

Unfortunately, I don't have this panel listed on my website! Sheesh! I will fix that soon, but not today. When I do, I will update this post with a link to this particular panel. I have lots of other panels on my website though. You can view all the panels I have on my website by clicking the following link: Panels at Alamosa Quilt Company I've got several that would be awesome made up in this pattern.

I have already ordered copies of this panel for my shop. When they arrive I will list them for sale online as well as in store. If you want me to contact you when the patterns arrive and send you a link to them on my website, just let me know.

The quilt is currently being quilted by my local long arm quilter. When I get the binding on I will share a photo of the finished quilt and post links to the panel and the pattern. I took 4 quilts to her recently so I will soon have 4 finished quilts to share with you.

Panel Squared Quilt Pattern

 I have been searching for patterns that feature panels recently and found several that I like. This one is called Panel Squared Quilt.

I picked a panel from my shop and whipped up a sample.

It's not quilted yet, but will be soon. The binding will be the same red as the inner and outer borders. I liked it so much that I kitted up a few of these. So if you want to make one just like mine, you can!

Home Sweet Holidays Quilt Kit

Or if you just want the panel I have that option too.

Home Sweet Holidays Panel

If you buy the kit you don't need to buy the pattern separately. Patterns are always included with all the kits I sell in my shop. But if you just want the pattern I have that option too.

Panel Squared Quilt Pattern

I did a little extra work for you. I was not able to cut my panel the length called for in the pattern, but it was easy to adjust. If you purchase the kit from me then I included the exact instructions for making it with this panel. However, if you buy the pattern from me, I added a little extra information that was not included in the pattern - like how big the panel with inner border should be. This way, whatever size you need to cut your panel to, you know what size it needs to be with the inner border attached. I am including this information in all of these patterns that I sell.

Panel Quilt Series :: First One

I'm working on a series of simple patterns for panels. This is the first one.

The quilt top is made. Now I'm working on writing the pattern so we can kit this up.

Everything Old is New Again :: Chenille

Last weekend I tried the chenille technique for the first time. This is not a new technique, but I'd never done it now. I used five of these panels.

You have to line things up, pin in place, then sew diagonal channels. Actually, I marked the sewing lines on the top one first, then layered the panels. I sewed them half inch apart. Cut the top four layers between the sewn lines, wash and dry.

I put an envelope backing on mine with binding. This way it can be a wall hanging or a pillow. I'll have to make a pillow form for it since it finished at an odd size, about 17" by 21".

I could have been more careful when lining things up, but I think it turned out alright.