Project Quilting 16.2: Ombre

 

This week's challenge for Project Quilting was to use the ombre or gradient effect.  The challenges are hosted by Kim Lapacek at Persimon Dreams, along with her friend Trish Frankland. Together, they come up with some great ideas!

Ombre describes the color shift in value or hue between two points. It looks like a smooth range between two colors, or a gradient of one color from light to dark.

I wasn't real sure where this challenge would lead me, but I figured I could make a block big enough to use as a front panel for another tote bag for grocery shopping. 

My gradient/ombre effect isn't as smooth as I'd like, but I wanted to use what I had in my stash. I turned to a box of batik fabrics and scraps that I won last year. So many lovely pinks, purples and greens in this collection! I pulled out the pinks and purples. 

There were already several cut triangles in the box, so that was my starting point.

I made 4 of these large triangles and then trimmed them down to fit together for sewing. 

For the back, I used the same fabrics and sewed strips together and top stitched each seam. 

I cut up an old cloth belt to use for the straps

 and added a strip of fabric to give it some pizzazz. 

I pleated all 4 corners at 3" and trimmed them off.

I didn't get a photo of the lining, but it's a lavender swirl that I used to cover my bulletin boards back in my teaching days. That's been around awhile! The very top edge was topstitched with double reinforcement over the straps. 

Now I have 2 sturdy bags for grocery shopping in style! My Sassy Big Foot bag has been used several times since its creation 2 weeks ago! 

Linking up with: 

Persimon Dreams Project Quilting

Project Quilting 16.1: Mythical Creatures

 

Whooo, it's been a week! As soon as I read this week's challenge on Project Quilting, hosted by Kim Lapacek and Trish Frankland, an idea popped into my head. 

Sasquatch, Big Foot, Yeti, Sassy, Squatchy...whatever term you prefer to use...has always been a creature my husband (and sometimes I) have been interested in. 

He's a believer! Yes, we've even been on a Sasquatch hunt in our area after hearing reports of one being spotted. No luck though seeing him/her. 

I got started making my tote bag on Monday and completed my front curvy panel of dots and solids. I wish I had a few photos of that learning curve, but my invested brain didn't think of that!

Enough curvy strips already and I was back to straight lines for a back panel.

Then comes time for me to start a 72 hour water fast I signed up for online. 

What was I thinking? I had never fasted before in my life beyond 8 hours for a blood test.

That hit me hard and I was out of commission for sewing til Saturday. 

Back to top stitching the curvy strips.

I found a free Big Foot template online to print off and traced it onto Head n Bond Lite. 

Then ironed it to my brown batik fabric and cut out. Easy peasy, even on a queasy tummy.

I chose an uneven applique stitch to give Squatchy a hairy look.

Blue fabric that I've had forever became the lining. I first thought I'd box the corners at 2.5", but chucked that 3" to make my tote a bit wider at the bottom. 

The lining is sewn to the top of the outside panels, along with the handles inserted between and reinforced with 4 rows of stitches. Nothing worse than having a nice tote bag filled to the brim and having a handle come loose. 

And there you have it! A new Squatchy tote bag to take shopping to the grocery store and beyond! 

Sometimes I feel like I'm feeding a family of Squatches here when the bill rings up.

Linking up to:

16.1 – Mythical Creatures – Challenge 1 of Project QUILTING season 16