Posted on by agilejack

A Quick Make and a Big Damned Mess

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!

57 Replies to “A Quick Make and a Big Damned Mess”

  1. 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!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  2. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. 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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. 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!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. 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.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  17. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  18. 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! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  19. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. 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?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  23. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  25. 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

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

  26. 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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 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

      Like

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

%d bloggers like this: