I"ve Gotten Carried Away

There are advantages and disadvantages to having a scientific background.  For me, the biggest disadvantage is that when thinking about a project, I envision all the permutations and variations.

I can't help myself.  It's very hard to constrain myself.  I work very hard to FOCUS - sometimes.

 

I made this zippered pouch before I left for Key West using the tutorial for easy zippy pouches on a blog called dog under my desk. The directions are wonderful and if you have ever struggled to insert a zipper into a pouch, Erin shows you the easiest way ever.

 

The directions are for a pretty small pouch.  It was too small for my purposes.  I enlarged the directions and made this pouch to carry my key, money, credit cards and phone when I rode my bike.

 

I knew I wanted to make more and brought fabric with me for this purpose.  It was supposed to be one fun day while working on my Bailey quilt.  One day turned into 3 days, because I just kept imagining all the possibilities.  I ended up with 12 zippy pouches and a handbag!

 

 A trio from my new favorite color combination- orange and pink!

It's a batik.  I really like choosing a contrasting zipper color.

 This bag was cut as 10"x13".  I added a gusset.  they are very easy to do.

These smaller pouches were made 2 at a time.

 I quilted a 10"x10" square and then cut it in half to 5"x10".

These long pouches can be use as pencil cases or for brushes or for a rotary cutter.

They are both made from fabric treated with vinyl  The starting dimension was 9"x11".

I put a piece of batting inside of the bicycle one.

 I do love this bicycle fabric.  I started with 1/2yd that I bought on a visit to The City Quilter in NYC. I see more zippered pouches in its future.

 Not so successful use of a photo printed on fabric. 

Not enough contrast and the stitching was too distracting.

 Successful use of a photo on fabric.  A gift for a friend.

 So then I thought, why couldn't a make a shoulder bag using this zippered pouch technique.

At first I was going to choose a nice conservative black fabric, but decided to use a WOW! fabric.

Looking at it finished I realized that it is not really that wow,

 so maybe next time I will choose a show stopper.

 

This started with a sandwich measuring 10"x 18". 

After quilting it, I added an inside pocket.

I sewed a bottom seam and then I stitched down the middle.

I like a place where it is easy to find my phone and camera.

This is the hardware that I used.  There are not a lot of places to shop for sewing supplies here, but I found the clips at Ben Franklin. The plastic for the strap handle, I 'borrowed" from the back strap of an inexpensive backpack. 

I think it will make a great, lightweight travel purse.

It fits across my body - and it's adjustable.

 

Now that I have had a play day that turned into 3 days, it's time to get back to the Bailey quilt.