A Huge Single Girl Tote Bag

A Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag

This little journey  (HUGE tote bag !) began in   early summer,  when I saw some Instagram photos of blocks being made by my friend Gina, @PartyOfEightOurStory and Party of Eight Our Story blog.   Gina happens to be one of my enablers.... almost everything she makes, I want to make,  (I confess !)  to copy !!
***There just isn't enough time in a day for me  to make all that she makes, and all that my other primary enablers make!!***  

Gina was making  some Free -Wheeling Single Girl blocks .  Go check her gorgeous work  at her Instagram @PartyOfEightOurStory  !!   This quilt pattern  is designed by Denyse Schmidt , DSQuilts ... available {here}. 

I decided to make the block using up a modern charm pack from my stash...
Barcelona  by Zen Chic for Moda.   I liked the way the lime greens pop out when I added a lime green border!

My Single Girl block using a Zen Chic Barcelona charm pack

Now this is a big block, measuring in at about 20 " square finished!  I didn't have any more Barcelona fabric, and wondered what to do with the block.  I liked the Barcelona fabric so much better when it was made up, than when it was laying there as 5 " charm squares!

I decided to feature this bold Single Girl block on the front of a big zippered tote.  
I wanted a tote bag with a  zippered top closure that had lots of pockets.
My solution.... I decided to modify a pattern from a book I have had for awhile...              " Handmade Style" by Anna Graham, of  Noodlehead blog.  
I rounded up my "modern looking" black denim fabric, and some  of my stash DSQuilts fabric that blended so well with Barcelona...  Aunt Edna ( gray with cream dots.)

First, I quilted the Single Girl block, using my walking foot and straight line quilting.

So here is the result of this pattern modification.... My Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag

Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag  by Susie's Sunroom

The Details:

Patterns used:      Free -Wheeling Single Girl blocks  by Denyse Schmidt  (here )
                        and     the Zip Top Tote   from " Handmade Style" by Anna Graham (here)

Tote bag size:   23" tall x 17 " across at bottom and 22" across at top  x 7 " deep !

Top closure:   22 " zipper

Handles:  27 " each

Pockets:   Outer-   back side slip pocket:  12 " tall x 22 " across
             Inner slip pocket - 6" tall x 9 " across    in pieced Barcelona fabric
             Inner zippered pocket -  11 " tall x 15 " across  ( 13" zipper) 

Fabrics:  Barcelona  by Zen Chic for Moda  ( a charm pack)
             Solid Kona Cottons  in lime
            Lining -  gray  Aunt Edna  by DS Quilts
            Denim -   black  bottomweight with striations ( lines)


This is the back of the tote.  I quilted it to provide some more structure.

The back of the tote... features a pieced Barcelona fabric- trimmed outer slip pocket

It looks even bigger in person!!

Seriously,  you could hold at least two cats inside this tote bag! ( Not that that would have a good outcome !!  )

But it would make an excellent weekend trip bag. Or a  carry-on bag for the overhead compartment in an airplane.  

 My sister saw this  tote bag  in person, and told me how awesome it would be for a quilter to take  along to sewing guilds ...  It can hold a full quilt  to show and tell,  a   WIP quilt ,  and still have room for fabric,  rulers , cutting boards and tools.... Or to take along to a quilt show and shop,  to fill up with new fabrics and tools!!

A neutral gray fabric lining.... where the pieced Barcelona slip pocket contrasts!

A side view.....  Can you see that Barcelona trimmed slip pocket on the back?!

I love the black denim with this fabric!!   

After I made my Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote bag,  I remembered that I made a small clutch purse awhile back.... using a pattern by Samantha of Sewing Patterns by Mrs H.  
It features  paper pieced sunset rays, and denim ...

The clutch with Barcelona flap and black denim   made by Susie's Sunroom
Clutch size:  6.5 " tall x 9 " across

I think they just naturally belong together, don't you?

The back pocket of the tote bag can easily hold the sunrise clutch (and more!)....

The clutch  inside flap is  more colorful Barcelona, and the main lining is an orange solid.  There's a pieced Barcelona slip pocket inside  there , too!

Check out my Etsy Shop.... you can find it , and some  more items, available for purchase in there!    {SusiesSunroomShop  on Etsy }

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:     Let's Bee Social @  Sew Fresh Quilts   and

                          Can I Get A Whoop Whoop @  Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and 
                           TGIFF  @ Anja Quilts    and 

                               Finished Or Not Friday  @  Busy Hands Quilting  

A Baby Shower Gift

A Baby Shower Gift

I had lots of fun making a few gifts for my cousin's baby shower.  I can't attend the shower , but I wanted to let them know I was thinking of them , and excited for them as they start their family.

I was determined  to use fabric from my stash.  They are expecting a girl, and she likes softer colors.  After perusing my stash, I happened upon my lovely little pile of pale pink and brown  "Lily and Will" fabrics { from Bunny Hill , by Moda. }  This is from the original fabric line.... I see Anne Sutton is coming out with a new  "Lily and Will Revisited" line in late spring.  

Now, all  I had to do was think of a gift!  I ran across  a fun and free  pattern for a softie animal ...  called , "Make It Yourself Softie Pattern " , by Cintia at My Poppet blog. {here}
Cintia made up one body shape, with various ears and tails to make it a bunny, a bear or a cat. I chose to make a bunny...  since I am using Bunny Hill fabrics!  

Disclosure:  I just made a flop.

{ Flop.  Bunny.  #SorryButNotSorryForThePun !)

My Flop:   Goofy Bunny Softie  in "Lily and Will" fabrics

 My bunny softie is just plain GOOFY looking.    Where did  I go wrong???

Cintia's softies had furry fabric, with no designs in the fabric. ( You can look here.)  Maybe I should have made my bunny ears closer together and used furry fabric.  

 I was  all ready to scrap my goofy softie bunny, and then my husband and S-I-L said to send it. WHAAAAAAAT ??   It had kinda been "growing on them " as they saw him  laying on my cutting table throughout the weekend, and they had picked him up to feel his plumpness.  It's  just possible that it may "grow on you" with time ...  Could it "grow on " a little baby??

So I tried to salvage my  Mr Goofy....
And wondered if I could shamelessly camouflage a "not very bunny-like " bunny with another legitimate gift.....  hmmmm .  Then, the  versatile "Divided Basket" came to mind.

The " Trojan Horse"  :   A  useful " Divided Basket"  by Anna                                                                                                            of    Noodlehead {found here }

Divided Basket  in "Lily and Will"  fabric
by Susie's Sunroom

See that divider inside the bag?  How clever is that?

 Divided Basket    in  "Lily and Will"
Susie's Sunroom

This basket can be useful  in a nursery in so many ways....from holding diapers , to  small toys, to small books, to bows, to socks ....         to ugly little bunny softies...

Peek-A-Boo !!  Looks who is inside this Divided Basket !
made by Susie's Sunroom    in "Lily and Will" fabric

Here are a few more  pictures . Feel free  to stop looking at this point if you don't want to see more of Mr Goofy!

I think that Mr Goofy is playing "Hide & Seek!"

Story Time for Mr Goofy

I thoroughly enjoyed making the Divided Basket,  and yes,  even Mr Goofy.
And, I hope the soon-to-be parents like the gifts.  (They don't have to use the softie... I just couldn't resist sending him along with the basket.)

Making this basket has given me another idea for a Divided basket.... come back to see my next one!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:       Can I Get A Whoop Whoop  @  Confessions of a Fabric Addict    and
                          Finished Or Not Friday @  Busy Hands Quilts  and
                           Building Blocks Tuesday @ Quilter In the Closet  and
                           Let's Bee Social @  Sew Fresh Quilts

Making the Super Tote

Making the Super Tote bag

As many of you know by now, one  thing that I love to make am addicted to making is tote bags!  My awesome niece is working as a nanny in New York City, for twins, and she asked me if I could make her a bag to use as a diaper bag.  Of course I said yes!  After some  jumping around and squealing, I got down to business and  went on the search for possible fabrics and tote bag patterns.    

I just love the internet...even though we live over  100 miles apart,  I was able to let her choose the bag style  and fabrics quickly.   I took pictures of different fabric combinations and sent her  various links for patterns to look over and make her selection.

So what did Kym pick?   The Super Tote Pattern  by Noodlehead

The Super Tote  Pattern   by Noodlehead
photo courtesy of Noodlehead blog

I was excited, because this is one tote bag that I didn't make yet.  

So here is Kym's Nanny-ing bag (that doesn't look like a diaper bag!):

The Super Tote  bag         by Susie's Sunroom

Fabric:      Kaufman Brussels Washer Linen Blend   charcoal
                Summersville   by Moda      from my stash for the Pink leaves

Dimensions:   15” wide, 15” tall, 3.5 to 5” deep, 10.5” handle drop

Super Tote Features:
 + recessed zipper
+ roomy interior pockets
+ front exterior pocket
+ cute piping and pleat details
+ makes a perfect diaper bag or gym bag, great for hauling anything you need

I washed the fabrics first.... I know  this will be used as a diaper bag, and she will be washing it.   

Side view      see the cute side pleat ?

The deep front pocket  with a magnet snap closure

There are 4 pockets on the inside, with elastic

This Super Tote has a beautifully designed zippered top closure, that opens wide to get inside of the bag.

The zippered top

Well,  I finished the bag, and got the idea that she could probably use a diaper changing pad , too.

I found this really practical pattern:   Travel Diaper Changing Pad Pattern                                                            by  Maureen Wilson  from  Made by Marzipan

Travel Diaper Changing Pad Pattern    by  Maureen Wilson from  Made by Marzipan

Here is my version of the Travel Diaper Changing Pad:

The Travel Diaper Changing Pad     by Susie's Sunroom

I got the clear vinyl at my local JoAnn Fabric Store.  (It is very inexpensive!)

The pockets should be handy for wipes and a couple of diapers.  They fold up into the pad when it is rolled up.

The diaper bag and changing pad  set         by Susie's Sunroom

I added fabric ties, instead of a piece of elastic and a button, to close up the pad.

The diaper changing pad fits in the front pocket , too

   I got to see Kym at our family reunion a few weeks ago.  She says the bag is awesome, and she loves the changing pad. It wipes off so easily!   Looks like she picked out a winning combination!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linked up at:     And Sew We Craft Together @ And Sew We Craft

Basket and Blocks

The January weather is snowy and really  cold outside, and it is great to be  inside sewing, with a cup of coffee at my side.  Perfect weather to work on my comforting Patchique' blocks!
                                                     

Amanda, The Patchsmith, leads the way to making the blocks from this book

First block:   #15   Kasuri niju kaku  (Kasuri double square)

#15  Kasuri double square from the book

This block , a double square,  uses 3 different fabrics.  I went to the first fabrics that anchored my brown colorway for the blocks.  (Moda FaLaLa)
          
                                                          

#15  Kasuri double square      made by Susie's Sunroom

Second block:  #75  Hoya no hana   ( Hoya flower)

                          

#75  Hoya flower   from the book

#75  Hoya flower    made by Susie's Sunroom

This block had a lot of applique' pieces to cut out, and to blanket stitch around the outer edges (machine). I like the brown and aqua colors together.  I enjoying looking at the blocks together in groups after I make them....

Side by side...  #15 and #75    made by Susie's Sunroom

Do hop over to see Amanda's progress on her Patichique' blocks, and see beautiful  pictures in her Flickr group. 

My progress in the Patchique' journey so far:  (slow and steady progress!)

Completed blocks   Jan 22

Basket time:   a Divided Basket    pattern by  Anna at Noodlehead 

This basket is one of my favorite baskets to make! This is a nice sized basket, with so many possible uses!

Divided basket  by Noodlehead    made by Susie's Sunroom

Fabric:   Le Cerise    berries and script   by Susan Winget
             green tonal blender

Basket Dimensions:  13.5"wide, 7.5" deep, 10.5" tall including handles (7.5" tall without)

I fell in love with these fabrics...  The black and cream  outer fabric has French words for different berries .  The companion fabrics are so pretty... with berry panels, a blueberries and leaves print , and  a cute cream text with  nature sketches.  ( I *heart* these!)
The basket went together quickly, as it was the second time I made it, and I knew what to expect.  The directions that Anna provides are excellent!

I placed a  blueberry panel on one side of the divider section

The other side of the divider has cherries

I was nearly giddy with delight when I noticed that the berry panels fit exactly into the dimensions of the divider, and could be put in as a feature on the front pocket of the basket!  (You , out there, know what a great feeling this is when you first discover something fits exactly for fussy cutting!!)
                                                 

Strawberry panel on the front outer pocket

My  dear friend is using this basket for her mail.  I hope she thinks of me every time she uses it!


Blog Hop Ahead...
Have you noticed the new button on the top right of my blog page? 
                  It is the Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop,   Feb. 12- 19. 
The creative and ruffley Mdm Samm , at Sew We Quilt, has organized this Feb. blog hop, with Soma , at Whims and Fancies !

I   have been busy making some projects for the upcoming blog hop that I am in , using  fun and fresh new Valentine's Day patterns designed by the talented Soma,  of Whims and Fancies !  

You can buy Soma's patterns, where donations are being made with the purchase.  

The whole list of the bloggers will be coming out soon, and I will have them on my blog.  You can look for my projects , near the end of the hop (so far that's how I am scheduled!)

Well, I think I need to make a divided basket  for myself now!  One can never have too many baskets..

Linked at :

ASWC Together Linky Party @ And Sew We Craft

I'm off to my sewing room!