Thursday, August 23, 2012

"Do you need a bag?", the clerk asked.

Modern Shopping Bag

This is my Modern Shopping Bag. It is a prototype for the tutorial I am writing for one of the Fluffy Sheep Quilting Newsletters that Cindy will be sending out this fall. You might want to head over and sign up for the newsletter so that the pattern will arrive in your inbox. I wanted to make shopping bags that I would not forget all the time. So they needed to be modern and functional. The pattern is simple but bold, inspired by many quilters but especially by Katie at Sew Katie Did who regularly makes the most beautiful quilts with HSTs which play with colour and value.

Modern Shopping Bag

The newsletter bag will be made blues and greens, made from one of Cindy's new Fat 1/8 Bundles. But I did not want to cut into that until I worked out the kinks so I used my winnings from the contest Hadley from Flying Blind on a Rocket Cycle ran back when Cindy opened her shop.

Modern Shopping Bag - detail

You can see that this bag has a layer of batting to allow for dense, modern, purposely not straight line quilting - and to be strong too for carrying the milk and such.  I used a bright red Aurafil thread that bought from Cindy. Oh, and I washed it, again it was just too flat for me before washing.

Modern Shopping Bag - before washing

See that picture above, nice, but flat before the wash does its texture creating magic. The bag is strong and big enough for groceries or other shopping. My plan is to make a collection of similar bags over this fall, so I stop forgetting my bags when I head out to the store.

Modern Shopping Bag

I lined this one with a print of the London subway system - to remind me of my friends and of one of my favourite cities.

Mod Pop

I will let you know more about the Mod Pop Quiltalong next post - I am just sorting out how to make groups and get sponsors and a button and such. For those of you who might have missed it (say because you were on a beautiful beach somewhere or something) you can go back and read about it here. I am excited to hear that there are some folks who will quilt along with me while I make another Mod Pop - Julie's pattern has stolen my heart and I can't wait to make a bigger one. If you don't want to wait or don't want me to be lonely, click here and join in while I hammer in the nails and tidy up.

I am heading back to the big city this weekend, summer is not over but it is time to get the kids to school. So there have been a few days now of making jam and battening down the hatches and a few more before I go.

Best,

Leanne

30 comments:

Katy Cameron said...

Oh it's gorgeous! Love the colours and the dense quilting. I admit I'd be rather afraid to put manky groceries in it though lol

FabricFascination said...

I would go shopping just to be able to use that bag.

Andrea said...

me crazy .. the colors you use! I love your work

kat129 said...

What a great bag! Love the map fabric.
cheers
-k

Svetlana said...

Leanne, this shopping bag is STUNNING!!! I love everything about it, especially the red quilting. I totally have to try that, it looks fabulous!

Heather D. said...

LOVE the bag!

Anita said...

Love your bag! Can't wait to see the tut in the newsletter :)

Danih03 said...

love that bag!

Canadian Abroad said...

Leanne, that might be my favourite bag ever (other than the camper vans Nicky just made me). It is stunningly beautiful!

Susan said...

That is ONE amazing bag! Your work is so lovely! I hope you find some happy mail when you get home...bee blocks maybe?

Di said...

The bag is beautiful. I can't wait for Cindy's newsletter to hit my in box. You are one talented woman. Di x

LOTJE said...

Great bag, those colors!!! Love the quilting color to go with it

Elisabeth said...

Wow, that's a fabulous bag. I always have a shopping bag from the Green Bag Lady in my handbag in case I forget to bring a big shopping bag. I definitely wouldn't forget this one. Gorgeous!

Collette said...

love your bag!

Karen said...

Love it! I always feel compelled to wash my quilties right away too...crinkly goodness :)

Sarah said...

Oh wow, thats one gorgeous bag!

Kelsey said...

Lovely bag!! Love your mod pop quilt - can't wait for the quilt along!

Debbie said...

awesome bag! I love the hst bit - you are so amazing with color! And the quilting is perfect & functional!

Ellie Q said...

I love your bag! I'm usually a green/blue girl, so looking forward to seeing that version too, but wow, this red/orange/pink really grabs at me!

Sheila said...

Great bag, loving the chunky handles.

Tina said...

Fantastic bag! How could you forget something as gorgeous as that?! The temptation would be to use it for more than just shopping!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's gorgeous!

Amanda said...

I love the colors on your bag!!

Judith, Belfast said...

Great bag L! Love how the colours really stand out. Hope you enjoy your last few days. Jxo

dutchcomfort said...

It’s a gorgeous bag Leanne! I will sign up for the newsletter at Fluffy Sheep, don’t want to miss the tutorial!

OPQuilt said...

I laughed when you said you wanted a bag you wouldn't forget to take along. Yep, yep. This gorgeous bag of yours should qualify. Thou dost almost persuade me to start making some HSTs into a bag!

Great!

Elizabeth E.
opquilt.com

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I just love everything about that bag.

Mary Menzer said...

Gorgeous bag - so gorgeous, I'm not sure I would use it for groceries. I made grocery bags from oilcloth, which are strong and can be washed also. I was thinking if I made a bag similar to yours I might line it with vinyl so the inside didn't get yucky and the outside stayed gorgeous.

Rebecca Lynne said...

Love love love this bag! I am popping over from my blog to see if you want to still sign up for the Low Volume Swap - still looking for folks - but no pressure... It looks like you have your hands beautifully full!!! - Rebecca

Fiona @ Poppy Makes said...

Wow! It looks fabulous Leanne! Will keep an eye out for the newsletter because I fancy one for myself!