Thursday, April 5, 2012

TGIFF Meadowsweet style


Hello Everybody!  If you are here for TGIFF, welcome! I'm glad you are here - make yourself at home and nose around a bit :)  And to my regular followers - you know I love you all bunches! Having you to hang out & talk quilts with makes me smile everyday :)

As promised, I have my Meadowsweet bag for my finish today


The details:
measures roughly 18"x15"x5"
uses a magnetic clasp {my first time using one}
six outer pockets, & six inner pockets
fabrics are all Meadowsweet
*I decided to use some fusible interfacing after all!* {or stabilizer. or whaterver that really stiff fusible white stuff I had hanging around my sewing room was.  I'd almost forgotten I had it. Then my son went running through the house wrapped up in it, and I thought I might as well put it in the bag. At least that way he can't wrap up in it and run around anymore. But I'm wise enough not to challenge him to try, just incase}

Now I have a confession to make.  I almost titled this post TGIFF Humble Pie style.  Because while this side of the bag looks great, that's not the whole story.  And I don't want to only show the good stuff and hide my mistakes and give you all the impression I'm so great at this sewing business when I'm not.  So I'm going to show you the other side, too.  Oh, the other side.  :(

Now, the grommets are added last after the rest of the bag is done.  Let me tell you, it is very nerve racking to cut a hole in the tote you just made!

Yikes! that is so hard to do, if you know what I mean :)  {I used the pins to keep the outer layer & lining from shifting while I cut}

7 of the grommets came out fine, but I think I cut the hole too big for one of them.

Ick.  I haven't tried to fix it yet.  Sometimes it is just best to walk away for a little while.  If you have a suggestion for fixing it, please leave a comment.

Here is a shot staring into the mouth of the beast {hehe}
These pockets are huge - I think this tote would make a great sewing bag with lots of room to keep tools & such.

There were a couple seams when I was sewing through 6 layers of fusible fleece and 6 layers of fabric at once, and let me tell you my little Janome stitched through it like a champ!  I was so proud, the thickness didn't bother my machine at all :)  Then when I was sewing just a couple layers of fabric, my needle fell off.  {?!?}  I was actually freaked out for a couple minutes, because I thought the damage was alot worse, but once I put the needle back in I didn't have anymore problems sewing.  Weird :)

Ok, your turn! Let's see those fabulous finishes Ladies & Gents!  Don't forget to check out the other great finishes & spread some comment love around :)  In your post, link back to the party or include the TGIFF button.  Happy Friday everyone! :)




12 comments:

Cherie said...

The bag looks great!! Possibly some fusible web to fix the grommet? Or some fabric glue of some kind? =D

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

Love the bag! The fabrics are so gorgeous. I was going to say I love the grommets, but then I read how difficult they were.. Oh well, I still LOVE them. Hope you can find a way to fix it to your satisfaction. xo

Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts said...

My sister-in-law made me that very same bag as a baby gift and every single grommet hole slipped out of the fabric. I had to take them all off and stitch around them so they would stay put. So it happens to everyone!

You are so brave to share your teeny tiny imperfections!

Live a Colorful Life said...

The bag is awesome--GREAT fabric choices!

Kristy QP said...

Your bag looks great! I think we all have those little things happen to us - hope you can find a way to fix it!

The Nifty Stitcher said...

What a beautiful bag in gorgeous fabrics. I would just hand sew that teeny bit to hold it down - bet you won't even notice it!

BendingPins.com said...

I love your bag, the fabrics and colors are perfect for spring. I think I have to get this pattern!!

Amanda said...

I think it's just the onery personality of grommets. They are just snots. Just think of it as only one didn't work out perfectly. Bag looks great, just carry the slipped grommet against you and no one will be the wiser.

JanetK said...

I've never done any grommets - but your bag is lovely and perfect for Spring!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Love that you keep it real :) The bag is wonderful! You and the Janome did a great job!

Laura said...

I love that bag! The fabrics are great and you are so brave trying grommets! Thanks for hosting for me! :)

Laura said...

I love that bag! The fabrics are great and you are so brave trying grommets! Thanks for hosting for me! :)