Posted on by agilejack

Some Accidental Productivity and Another Bag Finish

I was so disappointed to find last night that the Pods fabric that I wanted to use for the lining for my current project was not to be found anywhere, except for some terribly expensive pieces on Etsy. I was so sure I had just added this to an online shopping cart a couple weeks ago. But I was not able to find the store that had it.

So I had to change my plans. I looked at all the options for linings that I had pulled from my stash and nothing really spoke to me. And then I was looking in a bin of KFC fabrics in the closet in my sewing room and I saw Amaze in red and I pulled it out and slipped it inside the bag. And it worked!!!

It’s a pretty damned good choice! I love that it still has the pop of orange that works so well with the front of the bag, but it’s not insane. It a lovely vibrant pop without the chaos.

Bender agrees!

Here’s some photos just because I like looking at them!

And some more detail. And then tell me that the lining of a bag isn’t important! I mean… look at this!!!

As I was thinking about paper piecing last night I remembered a book I bought a few years ago that I’ve never made anything from.

I can’t find it for the life of me. I’ve looked everywhere. In the process I turned my sewing room upside down looking for it….And then I got sidetracked and started straightening up my messy work space.

I took a pile of fleece pieces and sewed them together into pieces large enough to use to make bags. I ended up with enough pieces to make four bags!

Then I folded, organized and put some fabrics away. I found a stack of black and white fabrics I bought recently, then pulled out a roughly folded stack of black and whites that were tucked in a drawer.

I folded them all more carefully and found some space for them in one of my drawers.

I also found this piece of KFC fabric that I was looking for a few months ago.

In a further quest for the illusive book I dug into a set of drawers in my closet and located a bunch of bags of fabric that I’ve set aside for upcoming projects.

Some of these have literally been sitting there, waiting and waiting for me to do something with them, for several years! Here’s what I was thinking…

This first bag is the newest of all of these. I basically built a KFC Parakeet pre-cut package from my stash.

I had originally planned to make a jewel box quilt with this but I made one out of ugly batiks and I’m not sure I want to make another one. Still thinking about ideas for this fabric. I might remove some yellows and add more pinks before I actually start cutting.

This next package has been sitting in a bag for years. It took me a few years to collect the purple and aqua batiks I had in my head… all with this specific pattern in mind. I even purchased backing fabric for it.

I saw this quilt made up in a store a few years ago and just loved it. It would be a relatively quick make.

This bright and beautiful collection of batiks was originally meant for my Lucky Stars quilt. But I ended up making that quilt entirely from batik scraps.

It’s a really pretty set of fabrics. I keep telling myself I should just break this all up and put it back in my stash. But I still think these fabrics would be fun in some kind of quilt top. I’ve thought about using them for a 16-patch, or a Moss garden type quilt. I’ll leave them all in this bag for a few more years while I think about it.

This next group of fabrics took me forever to put together. I drug these fabrics around from fabric store to fabric store for a year before I had all the pieces I wanted. I love the muted colors and the batik I bought for the background.

I had intended to make this into the Starburst Cross quilt pattern.

It’s a free pattern and I really love it. But I have an unfinished project that uses those same corner blocks and I lost my enthusiasm for sewing on all those little corners! Maybe I’ll find my enthusiasm again some day. In the mean time, this set of fabric will remain in its baggie.

The last set of fabrics I’ve squirreled away is a vibrant and exciting one! It’s all red KFC fabrics… with a lot of pops of color included!

I’ve wanted to make a quilt from these fabrics for some time, but I keep going back and forth on the pattern to use. The pattern above, called Bold Proposition, is a likely contender, but I haven’t landed on this one for sure. Hmmm. I just had an idea that I could use this pattern for the yellow fabrics in the Parakeet set. I kind of like that idea!

Sometimes my brain is a scary place to be.

This next set of fabrics is the most recent one I’ve squirreled away. I wrote about it in this post. The pattern I’m thinking of making is something I drew up. It combines 16 patches with corner fabrics.

Here’s the block I’m envisioning making. This will allow me to make a square block but it will look like the blocks are set on point. Win, win!

I also found this Arboretum quilt kit I bought last year. I bought this kit for a friend as well and she recently finished hers. Mine, of course, is still in the package.

I don’t typically buy kits, but I love this quilt and the kit includes precut rectangles of something like 96 unique fabrics. I’m happy to pay someone else to do all that pressing and cutting!

Here’s my friend’s finished quilt top. Isn’t it pretty!

All this and I still didn’t find that book. I wonder where the hell it is.

52 Replies to “Some Accidental Productivity and Another Bag Finish”

  1. Ahhhh, you stash away fabric the way I do, all with great ideas at the time, then they reimerge again! Too many wonderful fabrics and too little time!

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  2. Another lovely bag, I like the choice of lining you chose to go in it and of course the handsome Bender showing it off is a plus! Your fabric is so organized, most of mine is in a tall cabinet from Ikea, and in need of reorganizing again!!! (Never stays that way). You have lots of potential beautiful projects going on there, I love the arboretum quilt and hope to make one in the future, and I like the idea of sewing the scraps of batting together for more purpose, Hope your feeling better by now.

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    1. My fabric is mostly organized. But I’m pretty much out of storage space in my sewing room. So when I buy new fabric it can be a trick to put it all away. But with the sewing I’ve been doing recently I’ve actually freed up a little space in my drawers.

      And yes… it never stays organized. One fabric pull and it’s a mess again!!!

      Anne

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  3. So its really great to know there are other collectors of fabric out there like me….see many ideas,collect the fabric and it sits and waits,and then dont want to use them for another project…sometimes I have to tell myself use them!!!!…my latest quilt is a must sew from stash and have even used left over fabric from project for backing,…now sew together my collection of batting for it…its faster to buy but so much more thrilling to use up the stash…havent heard much on Benders situation,so he must be doing well…and what a lousy timing to get covid for you….looks like you are on the mend too…thanks for writing,its always good to read about another like minded soul…

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    1. I love being able to “go shopping” in my stash and put together a nice collection of fabric for a project. Then I feel the need to buy pieces to replace what I’ve pulled… before I even cut into them!

      Oh, yes, it is time to do an update on Bender. He hasn’t had a seizure since the neurologist increased his meds! Such good news!

      Anne

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  4. POV. I believe you weren’t meant to find the book right now. Look at all you “found” instead. I’d go for that Starburst Cross guy, it’s stunning. Thanks for sharing your stash-abilities.

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    1. That’s a great way to look at it! And I DID find that book this morning.

      The good think about that Starburst Cross quilt is that the blocks are huge so it would go together quickly.

      anne

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  5. Don’t you just love it when you put it in that special place so you will know exactly where it is when you are ready for it? Now to remember where that special place is. I do this all the time. Good luck! When you find it please see if my ring that I put in a special place is there also as I’ve looked for it over 3 years now and still haven’t found it. LOL

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  6. I can totally relate to your search! It happens to me often! Yesterday I did the same thing..and found more hidden treasures. Fun but frustrating. I guess no time for boredom when you quilt! I love your posts❤️

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    1. It’s always fun to find something that You’ve completely forgotten about! All because I was looking for a book! And I DID find that book this morning!
      Anne

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  7. This was like taking a trip through my own brain . . . fascinating, terrifying, and curious. You have some amazing fabrics stashed . . . for the sixteen patch with corners, you can make the sixteen patches and set them with alternate hourglass blocks to achieve the on-point-NOT-on-point look. Love visiting your blog.

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    1. My original plan was to do exactly what you suggest. But in my brain, it seems like that would require me to make setting triangles. But if I put the print corners on the 16 patches, I can construct the quilt in horizontal rows and won’t have to make setting triangles.

      thanks for reading! I check your blog our regularly, but for some reason it won’t let me comment. But know I’m there!

      Anne

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  9. Funny you have all those fabrics put together and ready. I too seem to do that and then don’t make the project. Oh well, all that fabric is so pretty!

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  10. Your bags always look very structured and am wondering what kind of fleece do you use? If fusible fleece, what is the pellon number? I’m still looking for the ‘right’ stabilizer.

    Love your blog. Always gives me great ideas to use my Kaffe.

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    1. They are pretty structured, but it comes from more than just the fleece. I use a piece of batik on the back of my quilt sandwich. It adds structure and stability to the bag. the more dense quilting I do (match stick at the top, 1/2 inch spaced over the body of the bag) helps add structure as well.

      I’m using up some ugly batiks I’ve had on hand. it will be completely hidden inside the bag so it doesn’t matter what the pattern or color is… unless you used something really dark with a light lining. So you do want to pay a little attention.

      I use a couple of different types of fusible fleece products from Pellon. they are essentially the same. 987F or TP971F. The TP971F has a little more loft and I think I prefer it.

      Some people who make these bags use different products. You can certainly do that if you have a product you think will give you the structure you want.

      Anne

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    1. I don’t typically like precise piecing, but I do enjoy paper piecing. It’s the only way I’ll do something more fussy. I find the process sort of meditative. I don’t want to do it all the time, but I do enjoy doing it every now and again. Especially for small projects. Not sure I want to make a large quilt with paper piecing.
      Anne

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  13. Not sure which I love more… Bender or the bag? You make me laugh with your stash. So many of us belong to that same club. Difference is you are openly admitting to it. Not sure I’d have the guts to show all, tell all. Wonder why we stock pile so many? You might check out a pattern called Sisterhood by Villa Rose designs. You seem like me when it comes to patterns… something fun, graphic, bold and quick. Good luck on finding the book. How have I managed to loose a 12″ tall adorable hippie gnome for 5 years now?

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    1. I picture your hippy gnome in a forest den happily paper piecing plant blocks!

      Thanks for the pattern reference. It’s fun and would be fun to make. I’ve pinned it for future reference. And inexpensive too!

      I am not a fussy piecer! I prefer bigger pieces of fabric that let the fabric shine! You might notice that I like bold fabric designs and colors!

      Anne

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      1. Well now I feel better about my missing Zappa. Knowing he’s hanging out with fabric makes the loss easier. Maybe he takes a break with a forest fairy for a fun beverage occassionally.
        Agree on bold fabric. And as far as storage… you need to go vertical. Ikea? We all need to support KFC so they keep designing. How much fabric globally do you suppose is being “stored” or just admired?

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  14. Loved looking at your post today and all that beautiful fabric, patterns, and finished quilts! It’s raining here today and looking at all this colorful fabric raised my mood. I love that picture of Bender with your finished tote. I don’t know why some of your photos are printing over some of your type preventing me from reading the text. It didn’t used to happen. While I love your bags, those handles bother me. I guess I would like to see them made of one of the fabrics chosen for the tote.

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  15. Hi Anne….I am so jealous of all those beautiful fabrics and can’t wait to see what you create with them. You and your work amazes me and your pups are so lovable! I was wondering if you could tell me how you make a design wall? Thanks in advance.

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    1. I have a double roll up design wall that I purchased many years ago. I’m not able to locate the guy that made it. You can see a video of it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h5S52oOts

      Here’s a blog post on how I made my more portable version that I can move around in my sewing room, or even stash it in the garage if I don’t need it. I originally made it to extend my roll up wall to accommodate a queen size quilt. https://agilejack1.com/2020/10/14/building-to-accommodate-m
      y-next-make/

      Anne

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      1. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and artistry! I just happen to have one of those flannel backed tablecloths in my closet. I am from Canada and it is our Memorial Day weekend and we are suppose to have a lot of rain. Suits me fine as my sewing room needs some attention. Have a wonderful weekend Anne and give Rico and Bender a snuggle for me. Again, thanks for your help.

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  16. I’m glad I’m not the only one who buys stuff and then just forgets about it. It’s good you keep the intended pattern with the fabric. That’s a good idea

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  17. I feel your pain, Anne! I’ve also mislaid a book and have turned my sewing room and most of the house upside down trying to find it! I also found loads of things to side track me in the hunt..
    I love those envelopes of fabric and your friend’s quilt is stunning.
    Happy hunting!

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  18. The best way to “find” that paper piecing book is to order a new one! A few days after it arrives you’ll find the one that’s lost. Happens to me all the time. I’m happy to say that I’m in the same club as all other long time quilters. I go into the stash archives and find fabric that I forgot I had.

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    1. I actually found it this morning! I just had to dig a little deeper in a drawer I had already looked in! It was in a dresser in my guest room. And I was so sure it was in my sewing room!
      Anne

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  19. You’ll find your book in the last place you put🤣🤣. Actually it will show up when you’re not expecting it. I always tell my husband that my brain is a scary place to be🤣🤣🤣. Well I consider a fabric addiction the best of all the vices🤣🤣🤣🤣. Love all your bags and the orange is perfect!!

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  20. I so relate to your search- glad I sm not the only one!
    I end up discovering all sorts of projects I had forgotten – now the problem becomes which one do I start on!! When I can’t make up my mind it goes back in the UFO pike!

    Good luck on the book search!!

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  21. I knew a lady who owned a quilt shop and she didn’t sew. She had an amazing eye for what goes together and would put together groups like you have and leave them in a stack and the quilters who had a hard time deciding what to put together would buy from her stacks. But, alas, for us, we have to cut and make the quilts too as well as having the fun of pulling the fabrics. I have many stacks too and I need to start cutting.

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    1. I can’t tell you how much fabrics and how many patterns I’ve purchased because of creative things I’ve seen at quilt stores! So much inspiration is some of those lovely spots!
      Anne

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  22. Anne…i have to tell you that you have an artist’s eye for color! The way you put fabrics together…wow! I just can’t seem to do that! I keep buying more and more Kaffe fabric…and still I can’t make a decision about what goes with what! Could you come over? I’m in New Hampshire so it wouldn’t be too long a drive would it? ; )

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    1. I’ll be right over! It would be fun to toss some fabrics on the table and see what works!

      The beautiful thing about KFC fabrics, it all pretty much goes together! it’s hard to go wrong with a fabric combo!

      Anne

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  23. Wow – what a post! I love the Amaze in red/orange even better than what you were looking for – it looked like the corona virus bug to me 🙂 Not a good reminder. Then , handsome Bender modeling the new bag which is awesome in itself. The colors of your fabric are so good together,love the pulls you made for someday quilts! The Starburst Cross is calling me and the one you designed ,the 16 patch on point. I have to try them someday! Especially drooling over the fabrics you pulled for it, the red swirls and the big Kaffe leaves and the black doodles!!! 🙂

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    1. Hahaha! It does look like the corona virus!!! Brandon was way ahead of his time on this design!!!

      I’m really anxious to see the KFC fabrics combined with those black and white fabrics. I have a picture of it in my head, but oftentimes those pictures are way off! Now you’re making me think I should start working on this one!!!

      I love that Starburst cross pattern. I’ve seen it made up in some really fun fabrics, including KFC Fabrics!

      Anne

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  24. Keep digging and poking around looking for it. It will show up in a really silly dumb place and give you a good laugh ! At least that has happened to me really often !! I LOVE the picture of todays bag on your dog’s head ! I can’t remember which one it is…. Tell him I’m sorry !!!! And that bag is a real beauty !!!

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