I haven’t gotten much sewing done this week. And I’m ok with that. I had hoped to finish my X & + top over the weekend and that just didn’t happen.
What have I done instead? Well, I played pickleball Monday night and again Wednesday night. I don’t remember what I did on Tuesday night.
Tonight I met some friends at another friend’s house to do some dog agility training. These are friends I haven’t seen for some months. One is my friend who gave me her mom’s Featherweight last summer.
I didn’t feel very motivated to get out and run agility, but I’m really glad I went. Rico had a blast and was so happy to be out there. And it was great to see my friends. Here’s few photos from our evening.
This is Sandy and her dog Trip. This is Sandy’s place. It’s way on the other side of Portland from me but was worth the drive tonight.
This is Stacy and Boon on the teeter totter. He’s a big dog and really sweet too. He’s waiting until the teeter hits the ground to get off of it.
This is Barb and Bruce Lee. Barb is the one who gave me her mom’s Featherweight.
When we were done and hanging round talking, Sandy’s husband came out with some home made Margaritas! A perfect way to end the evening.
When we were done Bender and Rico got a nice session of fetch in one of Sandy’s fields.
So, here’s what I’ve been working on. I think I’m looking for distractions from finishing that X &+ quilt. A sure sign I’m not loving finishing a project!
So, I remembered that a friend of mine had said she was interested in a purple and teal Frankenbag. So when I made the panels for one from the fabrics left over from the disappearing four patch I made last week, I thought of her. I sent her photos and she loves it. So I’ll be finishing it for her.
And because several people will ask, you can find my tutorial for making your own Frankenbag here.
I dug into my batik stash to find some purple fabric for the lining and remembered that most of my batik stash was purchased before I started buying half yards. So most of the batiks are third yards. I need a half yard for a lining.
I did find this fabric combo in a bin of full yards I bought on sale last year. And I really like it. It’s bold! And I love a bold lining. And it brings a darker purple to this, which I think it needs, and it brings in more teal.
I like how it looks with this bag. The divided slip pocket and zipper pocket will be made from the lighter green and teal fabric.
So now I just have to finish it. Luckily my friend isn’t in a hurry and is, in fact, in Europe right now.
Quite often people ask me where I buy my bag handles. I actually make them. I use faux leather (vinyl) and cut it into 3 inches by 24 inches. Then fold it in thirds and clip.
Then I top stitch along each side.
My machine sews through this vinyl like it’s butter! and in no time I have some really nice handles. I like the vinyl because it makes the bag feel more high end. I prefer it to a fabric handle for my bags.
I like the vinyl because it makes the bag feel more high end. I prefer it to a fabric handle for my bags.
Bender developed the funny habit last summer of sleeping underneath a suspended dog bed on the patio. He’s under there every day. He makes quite a commotion when he comes out!
Yesterday was the summer solstice and it was a perfect day here in Portland. It is probably my favorite day of the year. I just love the long light on summer evenings. It does make me sad to know that the sun is now retreating to the Southern Hemisphere.
After the rain we had over the weekend, it’s cleared up and we have some lovely weather on the way.
This picture is taken right in front of my house looking due north at the start of our evening walk a few days ago. The skies here are so amazing!
agilejack 
Love your daily digest posts and your Frankenbags!!! What make and model of sewing machine do you use? TIA
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I have a Bernina 450 Fashionista that I bought from a friend. Much more machine that I’ll ever need but I love it. I also have a Singer Featherweight that a friend gave me last summer. it’s a gorgeous little machine. I have another 1950s Singer I bought at an estate sale a few years ago. I use the Bernina the most.
Anne
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I love your new bag and how you put those colors together. I so struggle with that, even with a color wheel.
Thank you for the instructions how to make this bag. I need one and this will be just the perfect one to sew.
Your comments are inspiring and I appreciate your work and effort to put your thoughts into words. Life is so daily isn’t it? It’s so good to break out of that and do something we haven’t done in a while. Love it all. Lea
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Life can be very same from day to day. I have to take advantage of opportunities to break it all up! Sewing is good for me, but I need other stuff too! I love doing new things! Keeps life interesting.
For me, quilts are all about color. That’s the part that excites me the most. I actually have physical reactions to fabrics, colors and color combos. I might be different!
Anne
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I love the new Frankenbag! The lining fabric you chose goes really well with the batiks in the bag. Your great sense of color and design always shines through on your projects. I’m sure your x & + quilt will be finished at some point, although it sounds like it will be later rather than sooner. In my experience, pushing forward just to finish a project doesn’t necessarily work out as well as procrastinating. A few years ago, I was working on a quilt top (pansy themed) that I just couldn’t bring myself to finish and couldn’t put my finger on why. I just knew I wasn’t happy with it. Out of the blue, an idea popped into my mind, and I went with it. I made a wider border than usual, made a gazillion pansy appliques, which I then sewed around the border. About that time, after a long unsuccessful search for a longarm quilting pattern, I found the perfect one. What would have been simply a nice quilt turned into a pretty awesome one. All that to say, there’s a reason that you’re not finishing your x & + quilt right now. Enjoy working on your other projects. Whenever the quilt gets finished will be the perfect time.
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This X and + quilt has been sitting for a long time. But I’m getting close. Two more rows to sew together then some borders. So I’m close! Oh, then I have to make the backing. Yuck!
Anne
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Love your blogs and bags! And quilts too. I just saw how you make your handles. I also make lots of bags. A few years ago I discovered that I could use the handles from bags I could buy at thrift stores for a few dollars. And since I use many colors for bags I make, I could get colors to match the bags. So I thought I’d just pass along that tip to you.
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That’s a great idea! I’ll have to stop by the thrift store to see what I can find.
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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I can’t wait to make a frankenbag!! I have always admired yours. Thanks so much for posting the instructions!! Have a good weekend with your boys.👍
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I enjoy your emails.
You make some awesome quilts and bags.
I especially like the bags and I am making some also.
You inspire me with your mix of colors.
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thanks! It’s all about color for me. that’s the part of this that really inspires and excites me the most!
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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You should give it a try! Then you’ll be like me and make 100 or more!
Anne
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I enjoy reading about your adventures and your sewing,I love making bags. Would like to send you a picture of my last bag
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Yes! I love the Franken bag 🤗.
The batik lining is perfect!
It’s good to get out and get some exercise playing pickle ball! The quilt will get done in due time!
Enjoy the beautiful rain and cool summer 💕 cooler than San Antonio 🥵
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when I have the opportunity to be outdoors and active with people I have to take it! Working from home can be very isolating. Even for this introvert!
Anne
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I’m curious if you switch thread and or needle when you sew the handles? Stitch length? Mine don’t seem to look as professional as yours. I’ve made probably 20 or so and can’t seem to get the consistency is like. Any suggestions?
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I use the same needle as I use for piecing. I usually shorten my stitch length for piecing and set it to the default length when making handles. I do use my walking foot to more all that thickness through the machine. My vinyl is not terribly thick. It does come in different thicknesses.
I really should buy some heavier thread for top stitching the handles. It would look better. I need to remember that next time I’m in the fabric store.
Anne
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I used to sew bags and could have made a million, I made all different kinds. But then I just stopped and went back to my quilting. Your bag is similar to some of mine. I bought some beat up leather purses that had great straps and used them a few times. I agree that it gives the bag a professional look. We have had beautiful skies here in the St. Louis area too, all day long. I love warm weather.
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Yeah. I’m not a huge fan of fabric handles. Leather ones can be really expensive. The thrift shop bags is a good idea!
Anne
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Quilt-in-a-day has a great special on Kaffe bundles. Just received two and both contain a great selection. And no, I don’t get a kickback, just wanted to share with a fellow Kaffe lover.
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Hmmm. I don’t typically buy pre-cuts, but I’ll go take a look. thanks!
Anne
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You live in a pretty neighborhood! The pups are so cute, and I LOVE the Frankenbags. 👍. I’m going shopping for some vinyl and am wondering if there’s any particular kind you think make good handles. Never bought any before. I’m in Los Angeles and believe it or not we don’t have any real quilt shops. JoAnns and Hobby Lobby, but not a full on quilt shop. I do a lot of online shopping. Any recommendations?
Thanks so much!
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This is the vinyl I’ve been using. It’s a nice medium weight.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087JJD5Y6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Make sure you buy something that isn’t too thick. Keep in mind you’ll be sewing through three layers. My machine handles it really well but not everyone’s machine does.
I also use my walking foot, which helps move all that thickness through the machine.
Online quilt stores… I use ones who have a good selection of Kaffe fabrics: Sew Colorful, Glorious Color, Fenwick Fabrics, Island Quilters, Tennessee Quilts, Hancocks of Paducah (they have some Kaffe fabrics onsite right now). Those are some good places to start.
Anne
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You are too kind to share all the information! Thanks so much! I’m going to take a look at the vinyl now. 👍. I’m always on the lookout for Kaffe fabrics too. 👏👏👏
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You get a pretty large piece of vinyl if you order what I got. I go through it eventually so it’s not an issue for me. Might be too much for you. But, you could always use some for bag bottoms to use some up.
Anne
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The dog session looks like a good time had by all! I bet the dogs enjoyed seeing each other. I like your new bag and the added lime fabrics , always a favorite 😻. She will love it 😊
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I just love those watery greens! My favorite color!
Anne
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I enjoy reading your posts sooo much! Here in central Illinois it’s so dry I’m expecting communities to begin canceling fireworks. We need rain!! I seem to be spending all of my sewing time watering plantings here. Doggy loves requesting a drink from the hose! Stay hydrated!
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We’ve had some good rain in the last week, which is great in June. We have so many big trees here and wild fires have been pretty scary lately. I’m always happy if people choose to not shoot of fireworks. Rico appreciates it too. he really hates them.
Anne
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Love your blog and your quilts. You inspired me to make an all-Kaffe ‘trips around the world’, which I love.
However, I’m really writing to let you know that Hancock’s of Paducah has many (or maybe all) of his ’85 and fabulous’ fabrics on sale right now for $7.99 a yard!
I also wanted to let interested parties know that Kaffe is going to be hosted for 3 events by Quilting Mayhem in Snohomish, WA in October. He is doing a lecture and two diferrent classes, all for a fee. There is currently space in the lecture. The classes are full, but they are taking names for a waitlist.
She who dies with the most Kaffe fabric wins!
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Oh! Thanks for the heads up. I got an email from them today but didn’t pay a lot of attention to it. I’ll go and take a look. I might need a blue backing for my next project!
You’ll love your time spent with Kaffe!
Anne
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I took a class with Kaffe a few years ago here in Connecticut. One of our local quilt shops arranged it with the lecture…which is wonderful! then classes. You’ll love it if you’re a fan of Kaffe and Brandon! Linda
“Just because they make it in your size doesn’t mean you should wear it.”
>
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Got several great ideas from the latest blog. Like the hint of buying vinyl to make bag handles. Can see myself using some of my more bland batiks in bags and spiking them up with the bold fabric as lining. Like the colors of the bag you used..sorta by accident.
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Oh, every bag needs an exciting lining! I never scrimp! It’s a wonderful surprise to have a stunning lining! Good idea to use the lining to perk up some blander fabrics.
Anne
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