I made the Big Easy!! Talk about BIG and EASY!! Scrap-bags™ Big Easy Tote Bag Pattern

I just received a lovely email with photo from Carolyn Napper of Superior Stitches hear is what she said:

Hi Jamie, I made the Big Easy!! Talk about BIG and EASY!! I added Decor Bond 809 to my handles for some added stability.
I'm going to make my next bag - just for ME out of  Eva by Moda.
I've got it on the calendar at The Quilted Cactus for a class this fall. Thanks for sending me your pattern.
I love your patterns! Gotta run, the wallet is on my list to get done this week!!
 Quiltingly,
Carolyn M. Napper

Superior Stitches
             Longarm Quilting & Retreats                                    www.shequilts.com

Because NICE Matters

Visit Carolyn's Website - Superior Stitches

Photo and comments published with Carolyn's permission.

This sewing pattern is available for immediate download at my online Shop.

Oil Cloth Tote - Scrap-bags™ Big Easy Tote Bag

Are you wondering what to do with the new oil cloth that is showing up in the quilt shops and fabric stores? Well, here is an idea for you! Cathy from The Noble Quilter stitched up my Big Easy Tote bag with these fabulous black and white oil cloth fabrics from Moda. This would make a great beach bag or diaper bag. Water resistant!

Contact The Noble Quilter if you want them to put a kit together for you! (Pattern was adapted slightly)

Sitting on the top of the shelf is the same Big Easy Tote bag pattern using the 1.5" strip option.

Note:  ****  I have not used oil cloth myself but I did a google search and found a sight that might be helpful to you if you decide you like this idea. Visit Oilcloth Addict  

This sewing pattern is available for immediate download at my online Shop.

Sample Production Time

Sample Production Time!
This is the new Scrap-bags™ Tangletown Tote Bag.

The pattern will be ready within a week and a few days!

Sign up for our email notices if you don't want to miss it's introduction.

Fabric Yo Yo's - Learn How!

Make Yo Yo's the classic way by visiting this site for instructions.
How to Sew a Basic Fabric Yo-Yo.

or watch this YouTube Video and see Pat Sloan demo the new Clover Yo Yo maker.

Kingyo & Yo Yo's

I am so inspired by these fabrics, courtesy of Red Rooster Fabrics.

Collection: Kingyo

This is the kind of day that designers dream of

. . . yardage to play with

. . . and a little time set aside

. . . I'm unleashing my creativity

 . . . and I can't wait to see what manifests!

Visit Red Roosters Website to see more of this collection.

The value of an Art Education BFA/MFA | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Midmorning speaks with the new president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (my alma mater) about the value of an MFA, the importance of arts education, and how artists can help solve real-world problems.

New MCAD president hopes to expand school's reach | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Jay Coogan looks at the value of an Art Education BFA/MFA.  Jay Coogan: is the incoming president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He was formerly the provost of Rhode Island School of Design.

Visit MCAD's Website

How to Paper Piece - Helpful Resources

Click here for Tutorial and Free Pattern  
"How to Paper Piece"
from www.youcanquiltthis.com 
Or
Click here for Christine Thresh's Paper Piecing Primer
 Or
Watch the video below 

Swatch of the Week . . . Swatchbook from Powerhouse Museum in Austrailia

"About Swatchbooks

Swatches or small samples of fabric have been collected and compiled in the form of swatchbooks for at least 300 years. The Powerhouse Museum has several volumes containing thousands of bright, unfaded samples of fashionable fabric designs, braids and laces ranging from the 1830s to the 1990s. This site contains samples from the 1890s through to the 1920s."

Visit the Electronic Swatchbook from Powerhouse Museum for some visual stimulation.

Easy Zip Wallet Class

How fun is it to walk into a quilt shop and see a teacher and students sewing one of your patterns? I can tell you from experience that it's awesome! Here are some photos from yesterdays Easy Zip Wallet Class taught by Cathy Johnson at the Noble Quilter in Elk River.

Fun Filled Days of Pattern Testing

Who said pattern testing is a chore? Not us! 

We had a blast sewing laughing and telling stories. 

My volunteer for today and yesterday was 

Yvonne Curran aka President Elect of the Minnesota Quilters! 

 Minnesota Quilters Inc.

And of course thanks again to Angie Roberts owner of The Noble Quilter in Elk River, MN for letting us test in her classroom!

You two are the best! Thanks so much for a day-o-fun! And here's to the design, development and testing of many more quilting and sewing patterns! Cheers!

Most Popular Handbag, Wallet & Tote

A quick review of recent sales tells me that these are your favorite patterns! You are awesome, thanks for purchasing these and my other Scrap-bags™ patterns!

Yin-Yang Scrap-bag™

Scrap-bags™ Easy Zip Wallet

Scrap-bags™ Big Easy Tote Bag

This sewing pattern is available for immediate download at my online Shop.

Scrap-bags™ Yin-Yang bag makes it to the Georgia Dome

Yesterday, I received this lovely photo and email (below) from Donna Gober. She has kindly given me permission to share it with you. Donna, thanks so much for sharing your creation!

From: Donna Gober
Subject: RE: Yin-yang pattern is a hit
Date: September 3, 2009 5:26:19 PM CDT

Jamie,

I used your pattern earlier this year for a lovely birthday gift,
but the bag in this photo is what I will carry to the Georgia Dome Saturday
evening for the Alabama vs Virginia Tech game. In the South it's all about
football. I found a great bubble print to contrast with the Alabama
trademark fabric.

My biggest issue with this pattern is having to position the light/
dark components and ensuring that both light/dark pair are approximately
the same size. I need to drop a dotted line down through the center of the
handle opening, I think.

I enjoyed the Blog Hop back in mid-Summer and I await the next one.

Thank you,
Donna Gober
Gardendale, Alabama

TIP: Donna, I place the light/dark units on my cutting mat and use the grid lines to help me line them up. Then I pin them together before I sew. Happy Sewing!

Donna will receive a free Scrap-bags™ pattern for having her submission selected for publication on this blog.

Thank Heaven for Pattern Testers.

Meet Lynn Gennrich a new pattern test volunteer! Thank you Lynn for your participation in this most important step in pattern development. And thanks to Angie at The Noble Quilter in Elk River, MN for allowing us to work in the classroom.