zippers and ruffles

Wednesday, June 23, 2010


A while back, I took a class at my local quilt shop. We were learning strip piecing or string piecing for making quilt blocks, as well as a couple of "quilt as you go" methods. I had a blast doing the string piecing, and ended up with a couple of quilt blocks, but not a ton of desire to do a whole quilt like this just yet. I didn't have enough scraps. I'll get there, I'm sure.

I also decided it was time to figure out how to make a zippered pouch, and used one of the strip-pieced blocks to do so. I had just been reading gussy's blog (she's a fun read, and has cute stuff for sale!), and was inspired to add a ruffle to my pouch.

So here it is…stray strings and all. It's got all my makeup in it now. so handy.




I had a couple of squares that I rejected from my latest quilt because they were more brown than green, so I went ahead and made another pouch, trying another method of assembling the bag, this time with a lining. My first try had one side of the pouch with the lining fabric on the outside instead of the inside. Which I may have just left alone, except that I really like the outside fabric a lot, and don't really love the lining fabric as much.

I also messed up this zipper a bit. It's functional, but I will definitely do it better next time. Turns out my sewing machine didn't really like hitting that little metal jobbie at the end of the zipper. Must pay more attention next time!


and again, against my grain and totally following a trend, I added a ruffle (maybe more of a pleat?).

and I like it.

8 comments:

Janice said...

very cute and functional! Well done! :)


"and again, against my grain and totally following a trend"... try using Grosgrain ribbon... then trendy will be with the grain! lol!

I am thinking about repainting my bedroom... a beautiful shade of blueish green. :)

Eralel83 said...

Cute! See you could sell purses and pouches like this! Was "gussy" who you were talking about yesterday? I had seen some of her stuff on etsy a while back.

Only 1 more day now!

chel said...

so cute! i like the makeup bag especially.

guess what - i have a sewing machine now! i think i'm gonna drop out of college and just fritter around with textiles and such.

Treadle Pushers Quilting said...

Jen, I love love love the makeup bag! It is so "stinkin" cute!!

But, I don't love it nearly as much as I love you! Ginger and I will miss you much!!

becky said...

Cute stuff!

JulieMom said...

Well done!! You are WAY ahead of me...zippers?!? I'm still scared. Great job. Love them both! But the second is my fave. :0)

Dave said...

So when are you going to blog about where we have been so far?

Anita said...

So cute!