Friday, October 15, 2010

FRIDAY FINISH

I think I've "finished" this runner 3 times but now it's really finished. Here it is all stitched and "finished".


Then I decided it needed some surface stitching.  Here it is all embroidered and "finished."  Much better!


And I thought it needed a bit of big stitch quilting around the center.  So here it is quilted and "finished."  And now - it's REALLY finished.


Then I moved on to bags.  I agreed to do a demo at my guild meeting on putting a zipper in a bag.


Of course - with a zipper comes a little bling.  I do forget sometimes that not all quilters have a garment sewing background.  Zippers scare people?  Really?


Putting a zipper in a bag is SO easy when you do it with 2 flat pieces of fabric. Much easier than inserting one into a garment.

I made a few bags and pieces of bags (which are now whole) for the demo.  Now I have bags, lots of bags.  And a good start on Christmas presents.  I spent a month getting this ready for my meeting demo and dontcha know - just when I thought I had perfected my technique ... here comes a designer tutorial, all copywrited and cute.  Check out Terry Atkinson's Sweet Zip if you want to know how to do the zipper.  But don't limit yourself to HER measurements ... play around and have fun making bags!

AND ... go check out AmyLouWho's Sew"nTell Friday for even more inspiration!

12 comments:

Leslie said...

i am definitely one of those people that is afraid of zippers!!! your bags look great. i especially love that green and block floral. so pretty. and your table runner looks just great. i love the acorns. you do beautiful stitching

Becky said...

The runner looks so much more "finished" with your embellishments! Beautiful work!

Sara @ Sew Sweetness said...

That table runner is beautiful...perfect for fall. And I like those bags...I've been meaning to make a little square bag like that for myself. Great job!

WoolenSails said...

The stitching really makes your new piece, beautiful work.
Love the little totes, I need to try a zipper, have never done one.

Debbie

Dee said...

the table runner is to die for and I'm so glad you kept tweaking it! it's fabulous!

the bags are way too cool too!

beth said...

OOh! I love that table runner and the bags. You've been busy!

Haylee said...

I love the top stitching that you did and the table runner. The bags are great too.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What a beautiful runner!! All of your work on it is amazing. Love the little zipper bags. Thanks so much for link on how to assemble them!!

Lauren said...

I should send everything I sew that needs a zipper to you! You're zippers look great! Mine all stink. Thanks for the link to the other pattern. I will just keep plugging away and hopefully someday my zippers won't stink!

Kristen said...

Fun! I love the woolen runner. Thanks for the link!

Dianne said...

I just love your table runner. It is so pretty and the top stitching really added a lot to it! Now, about those zippers. I'm afraid of them, too! I guess I just need to practice more and not be so stressed about them. lol I found your site through the Sew and Tell links and I'm so happy I stumbled upon the that site, and yours! :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh, the runner looks so great with all the stitching!! GREAT JOB! And, I am most definitely one who is scared of zippers. I'm a self-taught sewer, so I just haven't tackled that area. :) I may just have to try it.