Saturday, August 22, 2015

What's For Lunch?!

In all my years of teaching, and sewing, I never did make myself a quilted lunch bag.  I kept thinking I would last year, and then as it got closer and closer to the end of the year, I decided there was no reason to since I was retiring.  Then, this summer, I joined the ranks of "Guest Teachers" in my district, a fancy word for substitute teachers.  I do need quilting money after all!  So earlier this week, when I needed a quick project for some instant gratification, I decided to see if I could make a mini tote bag that would work to carry a lunch in.  And here's what I came up with!


I've made a couple of larger totes, so I had an idea of how to put one together.  For this size I cut two 12 x 20 inch pieces out of fat quarters from my stash, one for the outside and one for the lining.  I love the number fabric (it's called Game Pieces according to the selvage) and it seemed perfect for this purpose.


This turned out to be just the right size for what I would take for lunch.  I used some fusible fleece ironed to the outer piece to give it some shape and quilted it with straight lines about 1 inch apart.  I squared up the bottom corners so it would sit flat and added handles that are just long enough to loop over your arm for carrying.  So happy with how it turned out!


This week I've also been diligently quilting my String Quilt and it's almost done!  The original 20 blocks I made were about 32 by 40 when sewn together, and I knew I wanted the finished quilt to be about 60 inches square when completely done, so I added some cream tone on tone fabric for borders.


I'm quilting in giant diamonds, loosely following the shape that the string blocks made. 


Although I don't think this is one of my favorite quilts, it has been an interesting one to learn from as I created it, and I combined some of my favorite fabrics with others that I'm not so fond of.  Now I just need to figure out what to use for binding.  Do I have strings left that would work?  Maybe!


This quilt is inspired by Cynthia's Scrap-a-Palooza String Quilt from August of 2014 and I'm linking up with Oh Scrap! tomorrow to share in all of the scrappy inspiration over there!






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9 comments:

  1. Cynthia Brunz DesignsAugust 23, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    You are so good at those little projects! Love the quilting on your string quilt. It really works great with those blocks. Look forward to seeing you at Oh Scrap!

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  2. SkootchoverAugust 23, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    Your string quilt looks great - perfect quilting following the strings out into the border.

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  3. ClaireAugust 23, 2015 at 2:52 PM

    I like the setting and the way the quilting extends the patchwork design. knitnkwilt.wordpress.com

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  4. gayleAugust 23, 2015 at 6:02 PM

    I love the quilting, too - it sets off the patchwork perfectly!
    Your lunch bag came out great, too. I'm a big fan of bags, and that one makes me smile. Love that outer print.

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  5. LindaAugust 24, 2015 at 6:09 AM

    Love your bag and the fabric! Looks like you pack a healthy lunch. ;) Your patchwork strings quilt is so attractive - isn't it fun to use loved fabrics along with some of your unloved ones? Your quilting is beautiful.

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  6. JasmineAugust 24, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Nice lunchbox/bag! And your string quilt is looking great. I think a scrappy binding would be perfect.

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  7. CathyAugust 24, 2015 at 4:02 PM

    Oh, I just love that little lunch bag and the fabric you used. How cute.

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  8. Sandra WalkerAugust 25, 2015 at 7:28 AM

    Great quilt Diann! I like extending the diamond shapes into the border, and yep, scrappy binding is just the ticket. Cute lunch bag. I made a few over my teaching years. :-)

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  9. Linda @ kokaquiltsAugust 25, 2015 at 2:40 PM

    I do like the quilting on this, very effective!

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