Tuesday Traveler with Texture

Hello all!

Do you need a little instant gratification in your sewing? Texture Magic fits the bill! I was cutting out a Tuesday Traveler bag this morning and decided to jazz up the cell phone pocket with a little texture. So I cut a front pocket piece (about 1.4 times the height and width of the original pocket) to allow for the Texture Magic. I used a triple stitch zig zag and added rows to the piece at 1” intervals so that it would appear “smocked”. I applied the steam following the manufacturer’s instructions, and voila...a textured front pocket.

A little magic goes a long way with this bag! I think I'll be using more Texture Magic in the future!
Try it! -Kris

A Wise Traveller

Pardon my absence from the blogging world! We have been busily getting ready for Spring Quilt Market here! Before we leave, I'd like to share a Tuesday Traveler with you! My friend, Mary Anne Murphy made a quilt for our guild's challenge from her stash, using a print with owls on it. She decided that she needed a matching bag for her entry in the show and here's what she did!

An explanation of the challenge: Our challenge was to create a quilt from our stash without electricity (no sewing machines!). Mary Anne's quilt took third place! She used real feathers and hand stitched the pine branch on the quilt. Enjoy this bit of inspiration and keep quilting! -Kris

Thursday Night Jazz...

Doesn't that sound smooth? It is! It's the name of another cool, new pattern from Poorhouse Quilt Designs, the Daily Specials Collection. These bags can take you out for a special night on the town!

We are featuring tips for sewing and quilting with silk taffeta in this pattern. Silk can be so much fun to quilt, it's very forgiving and best of all, it shows off even the simplest of quilting stitches beautifully! Each bag is on the small side -just enough to give you a taste of using silk.

Can't you picture these bags as gifts for bridesmaids? Prom season? The tote is 8" tall, the pouch is 7" tall x 6" wide and the clutch is 4" x 7".

I bought my silk through the Della Q website - check it out! You may be able to buy it locally - I hope you'lll give my pattern and silk a try!

Keep quilting - Kris

Happy Tuesday!

This morning, I thought I’d share another new pattern with you! The Tuesday Traveler is another pattern in the “Daily Specials” collection (available May 24th). This versatile pattern features our easy zipper application, pockets to organize your essentials, and a long strap for comfort!

There is a small front pocket, for your cell phone or music player, a zippered outside pocket (I keep credit cards and license in here), and a zippered top pocket for the main part of the bag.

The fabrics used are the from Blank Quilting's Murano Collection.

Of course, this will be a perfect bag for your next shop hop! Travel on, quilters! -Kris

Daily Specials - Sunday Best!

Good morning all!

It’s that time of year again – when pattern designers release new collections that will debut at Spring Quilt Market. I’d like to give you a preview of Poorhouse Quilt Designs’ new line, as well as a little background on the inspiration for the project.

Inspired by the Friday Bag, we decided to design a bag for every day of the week! After all, who wouldn’t want to change bags every day? We have dubbed this collection “Daily Specials”. I hope these patterns will appear on your sewing menu!

Today, we are previewing our “Sunday Best”! This bag features 3 rows of ruffles – an element designed to show off your fabric! The ruffles were inspired by clothing designer offerings for Resort and Spring 2010. These ruffles appear on blouses and dresses; they are big and loose, an easy but elegant statement.

My friend and pattern tester Jenn Dawley made her version of the bag, shown here: Her color choice is perfect for this bag, don’t you agree? In case you can't see it in the picture, her sewing is impeccable! Thanks Jenn!

Stay tuned for more Daily Specials!
-Kris