New notion help

So, after it's all said and done, I thought I would share a most amazing new notion that helps in bag making.  They are called Wonder Clips by Clover!  And wonder clips they are...

If anyone has ever sewn any type of bags, you know there many layers of thickness that regular straight pins are difficult to use.  Most of the time, I have gone through a whole box of pins, either having them bend out of shape, or breaking under the machine.  So to the rescue, here comes wonder clips!

They have the strength to hold the fabric in place, just like straight pins do, they don't leave pin marks, you never forget to remove them and break a sewing machine needle (only because the needle and foot can't sew over them, tee hee hee), and they don't poke your fingers.

They come in packages of 10, 20, or 50.  I started out with 10, and realized I liked them so much, I picked up a package of 50.  They even come in a nice container box to keep them in!  

Here is a close up of the little wonder.

To be totally honest, I bought the original 10 clips to use when binding my quilts, and the box was open one day, and I grabbed one to use while making a bag, and the rest is history.....

NOTE:  Clover now has jumbo wonder clips (green).  Go figure, I might have to give them a test run, too.

Third One Done

I completed my commissioned order by getting the third bag done yesterday.  I have sent off pictures and the customer is pleased and excited.  It is so nice to have good customers!  As soon as i sent the pictures and listed it in my Etsy shop, she immediately paid for the bags.  So, hubby and I found a box, taped it up, labeled it with the postage, and he graciously took it to the post office on his way back to work from lunching at the house.

I won't bore you with the details of this last bag, because the other posts about the bags should explain this one, I'll just share the pictures.

Second One Done

Here is the second of the three commissioned bag order I am working on.  I didn't think the Snoopy print was going to look very good made into this bag, but I am quite surprised on how cute it turned out!

I used yellow as a contrast color and for the zipper.  The main print has just a touch of this yellow, so I picked using it and I think it works just right.

This is the bag's lining, in the cute yellow contrast, and a pocket using the main Snoopy print.  I like to use light colors for linings, because it makes it easier to find things in the bag. 

The reversible bucket is made with a dark purple ( even though it looks like a dark blue), and the same yellow as the lining. 

Squeezed One In

I squeezed a new commissioned order in between my three bag order.  I worked on this one for the last two days, and my customer is just so excited and really likes the result.  He special ordered this for his girlfriend's birthday (which is Aug 4th), so we were cutting it close.  The customer's request was the camo two zip hipster, with a pink lining and with pink stitching.  This is the final result.

I used dark pink zippers for the outside pocket, and for the top opening.

And for the lining, I used a pink camo that has the "Browning" deer logo overlaid on the print.  It is hard to see in the lining, but below is a better picture of the fabric.

Look real hard, the deer is there, just sideways!  

Block Two FQS Designer Mystery BOM

As promised here is block two of the 2013 FQS BOM.  Isn't it darling.  It almost has a paper pieced look about it, but it just has a lot of pieces.  I am looking forward to the next blocks.

Last year I included the prior blocks in the BOM, so my readers could see them all in one post each time I get the next month's block done.  So here is....

Block One

Block One 2013 FQS Designer Mystery BOM

In a prior post, I mentioned that I signed up for the next year's Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery Block of the Month.  The 2013 BOM is using Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts new line called Avalon, and will be basket patterns with a twist.  Like, this first block, has a log cabin block in the middle of the basket pattern.  I think it is just adorable.

You can find out more information here on the Fat Quarter Shop website, but as I look at it tonight, all they are offering are the finishing kits and no sign up for the BOM.  Maybe the program is full?  If you are really interested, you might give them a call to see if you can join.

I have bag two done of the three commissioned order, but the pictures came out yucky, so I will redo pics and post more about it tomorrow.  I finished it late in the afternoon, and didn't feel like starting on the next one so I had this blocked cut out and wanted to get it done so I could stay caught up on the program.  Plus, I wanted some fun time sewing.  I also have block two cut out, and should be able to post it in a day or two.

One Done

This is the first of three purses that I have been working on for a commissioned order I mentioned a few posts ago.

This is the inside of the bag.

And this is a quick peek at the reversible "bucket" piece.  It is a nice geometric print that has all the team colors!  I can't take the credit for finding the print, though, because my wonderful husband found it.  He always goes to the fabric stores with me and encourages me and my craft!  And in doing so, he's learning what I am looking for and can be a big help, especially when there are several bolts to be carried!

I know I am very lucky.....