A Happy Handful - For Project QUILTING 17.6
Challenge 17.6 for Project QUILTING is A Happy Handful. The challenge is to create a patchwork, appliqued, or three-layer project that can be held in one hand. My to-do list included creating gifts for travelers joining me on the QUILT LOVERS TOUR OF THE NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM next month. A lightweight, strong bag will be needed to tote the fabrics, fibers, and notions purchased on our travels.
I want to give a huge shout-out to Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams and Trisha Frankland of Quilt Chicken. Project QUILTING is just the inspiration to be creative during the darkest, coldest months of the year. These challenges encourage our creative minds. These adventures push us to go off the beaten track, give a new technique a whirl, explore our stash, and feel accomplished for creating and completing.
THE PLAN
This group of 20 purchased reusable, foldable travel totes will be machine-appliqued. A large selection of possible edge finishes for the appliqué offer options for the project.
• Foldable, reusable tote bags
• Stash of seam binding, bias tape and twill tape
• One bag pressed to accept applique
• Twill tape selected for the border
Next month’s QUILT LOVERS TOUR OF THE NETHERLANDS & BELGIUM begins in Amsterdam. These delightful images of houses, bikes, and flowers represent the area so well. I purchased the designs from an ETSY seller, then printed them on cotton fabric using my laser printer. The ink has been heat-set and is ready to applique.
THE CONSTRUCTION
1. A heavy plastic template is created to trim the house panels to size. (It was discarded later as each of the four panel designs was a different size.) 2. The Amsterdam houses have MistyFuse applied to the wrong side. 3. Each laser-printed applique is trimmed with a 1/2" border. 4. The 20 foldable shopping bags are fused with a house, bike, and flower panel.
1. Materials used to attach the laser-printed Amsterdam panel to the shopping tote bag. 2. Needle-nosed application bottle of Acron Precision Piecing Product. This secures the twill tape temporarily to the project for accurate stitching. 3. Panel and twill tape are ready to be stitched to the tote.
Acron Precision Piecing Product applied with this needle nose bottle keeps the twill tape in place until stitched. It washes out easily.
Not quite mitered corners are used to prevent bulk. They still get the job done by covering all raw edges on the small panel.
Machine stitching on both sides of the twill tape securely holds the applique to the tote bag.
THE FINISHED PROJECT
Tote bags are ready for participants on the tour to fill with purchases as we travel through the Netherlands and Belgium.
Collapsible bags are secured with an attached elastic band to compress easily for travel.
Join me on another adventure soon. Check the EVENTS page at this link to see my classroom, cruise and tour opportunities. EVENTS
Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, tour leader and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at this link. Visit her Etsy Shop at www.sallymanke.etsy
Sally is a brand Ambassador for BERNINA USA. All stitching on this project was completed on a BERNINA 790 Plus.