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Shows, bags and badges...
Shows, bags and badges...
Published:
Jun 20 2017 - 04:00
Moda is going to Indiana!
The Shipshewana Quilt Festival starts on Wednesday and runs through Saturday. Are you going?
Sadly I won't be there as not all of us are making the trip. But a few folks from Moda will be there, including one very important Moda person.
Mr. Dunn. (Actually, there will be two Mr. Dunn's there but I can call the other one by name.)
On Wednesday, June 21, Mr. Dunn - the original Moda Mark - will be sharing the story of Moda Fabrics, including how fabric is printed. There will be plenty more, including a Special Exhibit showing some of the quilts in Mr. Dunn's personal collection of antique, art and fashion quilts at the Hostetler’s Hudson Auto Museum.
Quilts and cars. The Messrs. Dunn will feel right at home.
In addition to the quilt show, there are vendors, quilt appraisals, There are classes, exhibits and lectures with Ricky Tims, Rob Appell - the host of Man Sewing, Jerry Granata and Doug Leko of Antler Quilt Designs.
As for Moda being at the show, the Moda Bake Shop will have a vendor-exhibitor booth with a few giveaways, Cake Mix Demos and all sorts of fun. If you're there, be sure to stop by to say Hi to Kathy and Amy.
And make sure you bring a really cool - and big! - bag to carry all the goodies you're going to get at the show.
I think you know I like making bags... not the really involved kind with multiple zippers, fancy handles, lots of pockets, etc. I like boxy zipper bags and drawstring bags that I can use to corral my random stuffus. (That's an official classification.)
I made these last year but I can't quite bring myself to use them yet. Fortunately, I've made plenty of others that I use all the time.
I have used a few different patterns over the years but really, the best "pattern" for the bag is one of the terrific tutorials someone has done showing every step. I think two of the best are The Boxy Pouch by Svetlana of S.O,T,A.K. Handmade and the Boxy Bag Tutorial by KelbySews.
Once you know the basics, you're all set to make a simple bag with one fabric or start using your scraps to make something a little different. It's easy to see that I like piecing the panels in whatever way strikes my fancy. Embellishments? Of course! I think you already know I love these Moda Merit badges.
As in, I have made quite a few bags with them, including a few drawstring bags.
My favorite tutorials-instructions for this kind of bag also comes from Svetlana -
As with the boxy pouch - you just need to learn the basics.
I like quilting the bags - just use leftover pieces of cotton batting with a plain muslin or Bella solid backing. I get to practice my machine quilting - and justify amassing a not-so-small collection of Aurifil threads. The upside is that I can experiment with different weights of thread, play with bright colors and yes, try some of the different patterns in Jacquie Gering's awesome machine-quilting book WALK. (I'd show you some of that practicing but those bags are going to be gifts... shhhh.)
The big bag is filled with all of the parts and tools for a sewing project I'm working on - it's perfect for toting "stitchy-stuff." I suppose you could use the bag to take a few necessities to the beach or lake but that would just mean it gets sand in it. I've filled the small bag with my binding clips but it would also be a perfect gift for sewing friends in your guild, "secret sisters" or for sharing with your retreat buddies. (I cut these rectangles at 7" wide by 8.5" tall. The corners were boxed at 1.25".)
Because I've been sharing bags that I've covered with badges, it's probably only fair that I should share some. So leave a comment by Midnight on Wednesday, June 21st and you're entered to win a complete set of Moda Merit Badges.
If you're not excited about making bags, you could use them to make a pillow...
I know. I just can't help myself. (I think it's a holdover from not earning many badges while in Girl Scouts.)
So what have you got planned for this summer? Are you going to any quilt shows? A quilt retreat? An exciting vacation that might involve sand?
Even if you're staying home by yourself, I'm pretty sure you could use a few bags for something.
Happy Tuesday!
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