It was so nice this evening that I headed out for our walk at around 7:30. It was nice to have a day that was not 100 degrees.
When I got home I thought I’d whip up a quick bucket bag. So I hit my sewing room and chose an army green piece of the dyed muslin I bought on Saturday. Then I tried a few options of fabrics for the lining and the choice was obvious.

That’s Kaffe Fassett’s Paperweight in the Algae colorway. It’s one of my all time favorite Kaffe fabrics.
It might be possible that I say that about fifty or sixty Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics.
Here’s some more of that gorgeous green!

And the full bag… scrunched and un-scrunched.


I’m loving these bags. I love the cotton for the outer bags, but the linings are just so much fun! This one whipped up so fast.
I have to confess something. It’s possible you’ll think a lot less of me when I tell you what I’m about to tell you.
My sewing room is a mess. I mean… it’s getting a little out of hand.
This dresser holds most of my KFC fabrics. Except for the 4,000 pieces that are piled on top of it.

Oh my god… What a mess! It makes me feel uncomfortable to look at it!
And this… this is my sewing table. This ridiculous pile of fabric is starting to cramp my sewing style. It’s way past time that I do something about this

This last photo is of my cutting table. It’s not too bad. Most of these fabrics were combos I was thinking about for bucket hats. Remember bucket hats? They’re so last month.

That’s way too much crap to have sitting on your cutting table.
So I’m thinking I should do something about this. I’m taking Friday off and this could be a nice project for that day.
Or…
I could pull out the Featherweight my friend gave me and get her all tuned up.
Or…
I could just sew.
Speaking of sewing. I have some Frankenbags to share with you tonight. First up are these bags from Val McClosky. She said she got a lot of compliments on her first bag (the one with the NY Beauty block) and made the second one when her best friend wanted one of her own. Nice job Val!





Next up are these bags made by Sandee Henricks. Sandee has made a good number of these bags. I love the big blooms on this first bag and the bee panels on the second one are so cute. She’s even made some key fobs to go with each bag. That’s such a great idea.





This next bag comes from Connie Collins from Ontario, Canada. She said she finally dived in and made one for herself. She completed a quilt project earlier this year and had eight blocks leftover. She didn’t know what to do with them, but when she started to read my blog, she knew exactly how they would be used. I’m glad you dived in Connie!


This next bag was made by Janet Costello. She said she’s a bag freak and really wanted to make a Frankenbag. She used vinyl on the bottom of her bag. That’s such a good idea! I love her bold crumb piecing. Lots of fun colors here!



Next up tonight is this bag from Madeline Aron. Here’s what she said: “Friends who receive these bags LOVE them. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern & encouraging me to find my scrappy side.” I’m so glad you dived in! I just love this bright and vibrant bag!

This next bag was made by Ellene Place. You know me… I love all that graphic black and white! And that little bag was supposed to be a Frankenbag but Ellene cut it wrong. What a happy little accident.

This last bag tonight was made by Gretchen Callison. She made this bag for her mom’s birthday gift. Her mom likes patchwork but Gretchen thought she might not like it on a bag. So she took a more whole cloth approach. She also changed up the handles because they are eight feet tall. What a great gif this will be!



Thanks to everyone for sending photos!
Oh I did laugh at this post today. For the last three weeks or so I’ve been making firm commitments to my sis and sewing friends I would tidy my sewing room but every time I try I end up with more and more of my fabric stash on my HUGE cutting table with projects to the left, right and behind my sewing machine table.. hopeless! Fortunately I have visitors coming early September so I really will have to get down to some sorting!
Great bags ( another reason not to tidy.. yet to make one!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with a brightly colored mess in my sewing room! the good thing is that I keep buying the same fabrics! Can’t get enough.
Anne
LikeLike
Your quite the character, that is why I love your blog so much, aside from all the cool things you make, inspiration, tips, ideas, etc., oh and adventures with the two adorable dogs Rico and Bender! The sewing room photos, ( cracks me up ) looks like quite the productive place, if you spent all your time tidying up it would mean much less projects accomplished , I do think you might possibly need another cabinet to hold that fabric stash !! Enjoy your day off Friday, whatever you decide on doing ! Niki
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have space in that room for another cabinet. That room is chock full o crap!!! I’ve used every bit of available space.
I’m going to have to clean it up. I’m risking getting buried in a fabric avalanche! And then who would take Bender and Rico for a walk?
Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your room is a mess? You’re not alone!!! Mine is a catastrophe! Maybe we should start an organize-a-long. Members could take 15 minutes a day to straighten up and eventually it would be organized. Maybe by 2024?
Love all the Frankenbags. I’m so glad the makers are sharing with you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not sure I’d get much accomplished in 15 minutes. I would be doing less cleaning than mess creation. I’d never catch up!!!
Anne
LikeLike
I just fell upon your blog recently, might have mentioned it’s my first blog! Our sewing rooms look similar… yours has better fabric! Please help me… I L-O-V-E the dyed muslin, would you share where I could find it? I have never seen it near me. I’m gearing up for my first Frankenbag , but the bucket bag is catching my attention!
Hey- enjoy your special day off anything in your sewing room is a great day!!!
Sheep
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought the muslin from a store call Fiddlesticks in Vancouver, Washington. I don’t think they have an online store. But you can look them up and give them a call.
Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
If anything, the photos of your sewing space make me love you more! This is a ‘no judgement’ zone!
Don’t you dare use your time off to clean anything except that Featherweight,
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are an enabler! I love it!!!
Anne
LikeLike
Did you not know that a creative person cannot work in a neat environment? That’s my theory (excuse).
LikeLiked by 3 people
Well, even after being cleaned it’s still a little messy! I’m not completely out of control!!!
Anne
LikeLike
Oh yes, the mess!! I get it – I just spent 45 minutes yesterday cleaning one area of my sewing room. Go for it – you’ll feel so much better and ready to make another mess!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah! Great way to look at it! And it won’t take me very long to mess up a freshly cleaned room!
Anne
LikeLike
About that sewing room mess. If I were at home at the moment, I could show you some photos of my sewing room(s) [I have taken over two bedrooms in our new house] that would put yours to shame. At my house we call that “a sign that a creative person lives and works here.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
OMG! I can not let my mess go beyond my sewing room! There will be no stopping it!!!
Anne
LikeLike
My sewing/quilting studio is ALWAYS a mess. Even after I clean it up, it’s still a mess!
But I get what you mean about the fabric encroachment on your sewing area. 😀
Very nice khaki green bag!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. It doesn’t take very long for it to get messy again after cleaning. But I do like it when it’s clean.
Anne
LikeLike
Love your piles. I share my sewing space with the guest bedroom. That means I have to totally clear off all those surfaces whenever the threat of over-night guests looms on the horizon. Fortunately, because those who need to spend the night also need to drive a far distance to get here, I have several hours…like 6 to 8…to “redistribute” the WIPs and the UFOs onto the shelf-lined closet! (Which is already ladened with fabric!) Or under the bed. Or in the laundry room. I’ve made it a game to see how “creative” I can be in finding spaces where none really exist for the piles that are supposted to live on the bed, my serger table, my book shelves, my big board and oh yes, on those closet shelves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve promised myself that I won’t allow my stash to extend beyond my sewing room! I know myself too well if I let that happen!
Anne
LikeLike
Every day that I walk into my sewing room I think “hmmm, I really should clean up this mess” but the minute I do I can never find anything! I think it’s just part of being creative Anne! That”s my logic and I’m sticking to it. Thanks for the link to Etsy for the labels. How do I send pictures to you? Enjoy your weekend! Betty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny, but the messiness doesn’t really bother me, until I start having to move stuff to do what I need to do. Then it starts to irritate me.
You can email me photos at anne@agilejack1.com
Anne
LikeLike
Betty could you send me the link for the labels too? 😊
LikeLike
Here you go: https://playtimescheduler.com/login.php
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your awesome thanks!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oops. That is not what you asked for. Try this for labels: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllThisWood?fbclid=IwAR2z01G-8-hWRfo0EVKS-RHq_vGVeU8kRJbn4NzWIRMFEyXHhYEgjUz8a8c
LikeLike
Just sayin’… Ikea has nice storage cabinets that are taller! There’s one in Portland…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t have room for any more cabinets!!!
Annd
LikeLike
Don’t give your sewing room a thought, I have a very large space and it is always creatively messy. I love your blogs and always start my day by reading what you are up to. I quilt and knit and crochet and cross stitch, etc. you get the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With all that stuff, your studio must be REALLY messy!!!
Anne
LikeLike
Believe me, you are not alone in the “mess” department. I have 2 studios and both are in worse shape than yours. I did clear off a table for cutting batting and now have removed the roll of batting so I have 3/4 of a 96 x 60 (double table) area free of clutter right now. Give me 10 minutes and that will be piled up too….. Anyone who thinks a productive person works in a pristine clean work area is sadly mistaken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine the mess I’d make if I had all your studio space and your stash! it must be really impressive Wanda!!!
Anne
LikeLike
My sewing space looks the same. I find when it is clean I miss looking at colors and patterns and getting ideas for next project. Enjoy the jumble of the colors! Question do you sell your note cards? Marjorie Johnson Pintura Utah
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did sell some of my note cards. I think I might have a set or two left. Please email me at anne@agilejack1.com
and I had to look up Pintura, Utah on a map. I lived in Utah my entire life until I moved to Portland in 2010. I’ve driven past Pintura many times!
Anne
LikeLike
I’d be right at home in your sewing room!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s small. there might not be room for both of us!
Anne
LikeLike
Creativity is not tidy! I work best with lots of fabric piles around me as all that riot of color inspires me. We all just have to work in the environment that works best for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t really mind the mess, usually. But it’s starting to feel a little oppressive. Plus, it’s physically in the way… it’s affecting my efficiency!
Anne
LikeLike
I belong to the “meander” group which has a mantra I just love: “I am wildly creative and have the freedom to follow my curiosities and make a mess”.
My piles of fabric are projects waiting to happen! Your readers are very talented and thank you everyone for sharing! Always inspiring! I am loving your simple elegant bags too! Thank you for sharing all that you do! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lesley! I don’t typically mind the mess, but every now and again it starts to feel suffocating! I’m at that point where I keep moving teh same piles to different places. That’s when I get irritated!
Anne
LikeLike
Ann, being messy is a sign of a creative mind. Or I’m just trying to justify my own piles. Honestly, as I’m working on my little art quilt right now, I’m thinking about the other unfinished one, and I’m also planning a potholder since I just made new kitchen valances. I can’t just keep the old potholder on display when I have new valances. Seriously. Obviously, that’s the reason I have 8 bins of fabrics on the sewing room floor right now. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! We’re twins!
Anne
LikeLike
Here’s an interesting idea for using EPP hexies–a quilted top! Adding long sleeves for a fall/winter pullover might have to go on my TO DO list. .
https://auribuzz.com/2022/08/10/summer-slice-stitch-ama-the-epp-cielo-top/?mc_cid=a3bbf82a94
LikeLike
That’s cute but beyond my skill level. I try to stay away from making things that have to fit a body.
Anne
LikeLike
Beyond your skill level?? I don’t believe that for a hot minute! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for confessing about your mess and actually posting photos! How brave you are! I hate to admit mine is even more of a mess (I will not be documenting with photos!) and it helped me feel less guilty about it! My excuse is I like to see everything… Creativity can create a mess, am I right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s so funny how many people say their sewing spaces look like mine or worse! I have this picture in my head that everyone’s spaces are beautifully decorated, with all their meticulously sorted fabrics displayed in matching cabinets.
nope!
Anne
LikeLike
I keep getting fabric from various dead people’s estates so I am bursting at the seams lol. Yours doesn’t look bad at all 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I recently got some estate fabric second hand. But it didn’t add much to my stash.
I’m trying to be reasonable with acquiring more fabric but I can’t help myself!
Anne
LikeLike
I am so, so pleased to see these photos of your sewing table, cutting table and the stack of fabric piled high on the dresser – I am in exactly the same position as you are, but I have a huge pile of stuff on the floor as well so it’s really good to see I’m in good company! Like your new bag Anne and good luck with the Featherweight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have avoided a stack on the floor…. sort of.
Thanks! I’m getting anxious to get that Featherweight tuned up so I can get going on it. Maybe I’ll find the time this weekend.
Anne
LikeLike
Love your stuff! Haven’t seen a post since the 9th, everything ok?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m ok! Just really busy. Haven’t been in my sewing room for days!
Anne
LikeLike
I hope all is OK a with you and your lovely dogs.
For about a year now, I have enjoyed waking up at around 4 a.m. Eastern time and reading about your projects, your adventures, and your friends- furry and human…and viewing your pictures.
Know that you are APPRECIATED and that your emails are missed… unless they have suddenly disappeared into spam for some reason… note to self…better check there.
I have been meaning to send you an email and express my gratitude for all the smiles and project inspiration, and color inspiration, and work ethic inspiration, and canine inspiration you give me in the wee hours of the morning. I admit it, am a procrastinator at heart. So belatedly, I am sending you a big THANK YOU and best wishes.
PS I do a lot of hexagon work as well. Before you use the glue method on any more hexies I suggest you try removing some of the papers and see how works for you. It didn’t work for me but maybe I was a little too enthusiastic with my glue application.
I have found that the method where you only secure/sew the corners and never sew through the paper is the best for me. Good folds and no sore fingers. Those stacks of hexies are so rewarding are they?
In internet friendship,
Jan Wood Atlanta GA
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Jan! thank you so much for your amazing comments! It’s been so amazing to connect with to many people through my blog and my fun with fabric. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and thanks for reading!
I’m pretty sure I’m done with glue basting my hexis. I took the paper out of one early on because I wanted to see how easy it came out and it was easy. But I’m concerned that I’ve actually sewn through the paper on some of them… which which will be a nightmare to deal with. I’m nappy to leave the glue behind!
Anne
LikeLike
I am almost ashamed to admit that my custom built 1000 sq.ft studio with two 60″ square tables does not have one piece of fabric that I am not currently working on. I have lots of shelf units with everything ‘filed’ by style [batiks] or colour and KF has his own shelf! I design my own patterns so need lots of space for all the paper I scribble on and colour then pull fabrics of the shelf to spread out. I guess we all have our ‘foibles’!!!!! happy weekend Anne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how wonderful that you have such an amazing space! I’m envious. With my small space it feels very cluttered with crap all over the place. I’ll never be as organized as you are!
Anne
LikeLike