Drawstring Backpacks : :

In between all the quilt top making, and the birthday crown making, and the just generally sitting around admiring all the beautiful fabrics that keep arriving from Art Gallery Fabrics, I've been sewing up a few new Quick Quilt As You Go drawstring backpacks. I can't tell you how much I love my own drawstring backpack, I take it everywhere! They're such fun to make, and have the potential to be a great stash-buster! I keep thinking I'll use up as much of the stash as possible whenever I decide to make more, but these new collections just pull me right in! And, then at least I don't have to refold and refuss with trying to stack and keep my stash all color-coded and pretty, right!?



This first one features prints from both my Nightfall and Fleet & Flourish collections, with a few added coordinating AGF prints, denim, and vintage lace embellishments. I've been using these sweet colors so much lately, in both my recent Reverie and Nightland quilt tops. This color combination will always be one of my favorites!







Then yesterday I made this Observer fabrics & denim drawstring backpack and I completely fell in love! It's so prefect for Fall! These prints and colors work so well for this style of bag.









I'll have to make another for sure! But first, I had started a second Observer fabric quilt immediately after finishing my first one, but shelved it when it was feeling a bit too much like the one I had just made. The excitement over this backpack, with a few weeks break, and a new quilt pattern plan has me ready to finish it up. It should hopefully come together quick, be back soon!

♡ Maureen  

A Birthday Gift Set : :

Haila & I spent this past Saturday morning sewing up a special gift set for her best friend's birthday and I had to show it off today!



She loves the drawstring backpack I made for her last week and REALLY wanted her friend to have one, too!

Inspired by the personalized drawstring pouches we made together earlier in the Summer, Haila chose Bari J.'s gorgeous Joie De Vivre collection and began her project by fussy cutting her friend's initials, A.R. from the Joyeux Alphabet panel. This time, I just had to guide Haila while she created a log cabin style block using my quick quilt as you go method to be the front of the backpack. She's getting so good!



Haila wanted to embellish this backpack with the same lace details that I had added to hers. The combination of these colorful fabrics, denim, and lace is so pretty!



For the lining she chose this sweet, pink Joie De Vivre floral. She did such a great job!



I think I'm most proud of how well she quilted the reverse side of the backpack. Her stitch consistency has come such a long way since that very first simple, quilted pillow we made together when she was just beginning to learn. I love it!



A little matching pouch from the scraps made such an adorable set!



The little pouch measures a 5.5" x 7.5" and the drawstring backpack measures 12" x 15" finished. Since these turned out so perfect, I'm thinking I might pass the bag-making torch off to Haila for a little while, so I can get back to more quilt making! I'm hoping to start a new one today using April's new Observer collection, I shared a little peek of my plan just now on my Instagram!

You can find these lovely Joie de Vivre fabrics in stock at Fat Quarter Shop and Llama fabrics!

♡ Maureen  

An Arizona & Denim Drawstring Backpack : :

Since my new favorite thing to make are these fun drawstring backpacks and because I still have so much LOVE for April Rhodes' beloved first collection, Arizona, I decided these Limited Edition fabrics with the addition of a little AGF Denim should be next in line for my drawstring bag making!



These new bags began with me pulling out my project scrap bin to retrieve the leftovers from my Arizona Herringbone Quilt!



I improv pieced together scraps to make one side of these two-sided bags. For the reverse I used narrow strips of Arizona prints and denim to create my favorite herringbone quick quilt as you go pattern!

This is my first time combining this collection with Art Gallery's new line of denims and I love it!



I used more denim for the bag casing and tabs!



For the drawstring ties for these new bags, I pulled from my vintage treadle sewing machine drawers an old package of Wright's fine percale double folded bias tape. I simply stitched the open edge closed and I definitely prefer this style of drawstring over the clothesline I used for my first Tapestry bag. I think I'll do a quick drawstring swap out with that one later!





In addition to these bags being double-sides, they're also lined! I chose a Fleet & Flourish print that coordinates nicely with April's Arizona prints.



You can still find these wonderful Arizona fabrics available at Llama Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

♡ Maureen

A Herringbone Drawstring Backpack : :

Since Summer for my family means daily trips to the town pool and routine bike rides, while mooning over the gorgeous bundle of Tapestry fabrics that recently arrived, I quickly settled on making myself a new, drawstring backpack to have something easy to wear! A functional and pretty project to try seemed like the perfect place to start my Tapestry sewing. Oh how I adore this collection!



After last week's little scrap pouch and personalized drawstring bag making, I felt comfortable taking what I had learned while making those and modifying plans to fabricate myself a little quilted backpack. Since sewing plans for this project hatched rather quickly and I don't have much for bag making supplies on hand, I kept it simple using inexpensive cotton clothesline for my drawstring. It worked perfectly!



I started by cutting just a 2" strip from each Tapestry print, adding in some Solid Smooth Denims to make a Herringbone quilt as you go bag front. You may have noticed, I LOVE using this pattern for just about everything!



For the back I used my Quick Quilt As You Go technique once again, this time with a simple strip quilting pattern. Since this bag is reversible I wanted to change it up just a little from the front!





After finishing up this first bag, I knew immediately that this project will be a regular, quick sew for me this Summer. I think I may even take orders for them in my Etsy shop! I already made a second with a little more added embellishment that I plan to share later this month as part of Bonnie Christine's Forest Floor Blog Tour!

You can find these beautiful Tapestry fabrics by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics newly available at Fat Quarter Shop and Llama Fabrics!

Happy Sewing!

♡ Maureen