Manchester Metallics Summer Bag Challenge

I was so excited to hear about the summer challenge that Robert Kaufman Fabrics was having, from Sew Mama Sew, featuring Robert Kaufman's new line Manchester Metallics. While I am not usually a metallics, glittery or shimmery type of girl, I do love a good challenge. So you can imagine how thrilled  I was to be chosen to participate!! I had such a fun time choosing which fabrics I wanted to work with. After much back and forth debating...with myself,  I finally chose the Manchester Metallics in Evening Shade and Eggshell along with a Kona Solid in Watermelon...because what is more summer than watermelon🍉😉

When my lovely bundle of fabrics arrived and were unwrapped, I was so surprised at how soft and drapey (is that even a word?) the metallics were. Truly lovely and not at all what I had expected, in the best possible way. So now my only other concern was, unravelling. Again, I was going on my old knowledge of what metallics were...while there is some for sure, I was surprised that it wasn't much different than regular quilt fabric and once I added the Pellon Shape Flex to my pieces, it wasn't an issue at all. This really is lovely fabric, I wish I had the talent to sew cloths....with the shimmer and all the texture, light weight, it would make for some pretty outfits too.....and everyone I've shown my project to, just gushes about it!!

I want to take a moment right here to say, yes I was given the fabric by Robert Kaufman for this event, but the only stipulations I had to follow were....1.) I had to only use the fabrics I was given or any Robert Kaufman solid fabrics I had in my stash(a cubby full of choices)  and 2.) I had to sew a summer bag. I was never told what to say, my blog...my words....always!  😀

So what did I choose to sew......a Poolside Tote of course.  A pattern by Anna Graham of Noodlehead.....I think this is number 6 for me....love this bag.

I added a few extra pockets, because you can never have to many....

.....instead of one outside zippered pocket, I made 2 pockets one on each side of the bag....

and added two inside hidden zipper pockets...because.....you can't have too many pockets., remember!..lol

 and come on, how fun is this...the lime green zippers hint of the colour to come...Lime Green Kona Solid

If that isn't enough to inspire your desire for this fabric, maybe this will help.....

I can't seem to help myself....when faced with a challenge I need to think outside of the box....I wanted to share something different.....so I printed my Poolside Tote pattern again, but this time at 50%....and this is what happened......

I had to figure out a few of the pieces that are cut and not actual  pattern pieces, but that wasn't too difficult....and the results were so worth the effort......

So now it's a set. A little bag for lotions and such....or a mother/daughter tote set....or just the cutest little purse....or you use your imagination. Whatever the answer, its adorable, sitting at 7" high by 11" wide.

That's it for me, but....

Don't forget to check out the other participant in the Manchester Metallics Challenge, and don't forget to take a moment and leave a comment on what you think! Share some encouragement, and show your enthusiasm for this new line!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

Looking for more inspiration...

Check out the other bloggers participating in the Manchester Metallics Challenge....

Sandy Whitelaw of UpStairs Hobby Room (you are here)

Monday
Anne Zeitler of AnneZPlace
Natalie Strand of Vegetablog

Tuesday
Kathy Green of Designs by KTGreen
Sanchia Gair of Red Brolly

Thursday
Sara Johansen of The Sara Project
Jenny of My Handmade Home

Friday
Devida Bushrod of The Driftwood Thimble
Michelle Morris of That Black Chic
Carrie Federer of carrie bee

Saturday
Sarah Sharp of No Hats in the House
Michelle Webster of michellepatterns

Monday 4th
Marni Weaver of Haberdashery Fun

Mo Befell

And don't forget to check in with 

Kristin from 

next week for all the highlights....

My Day for the "Dog Gone Cute" Blog Hop

I am so excited to be a part of Lorna's Blog Hop, and so glad you have come over for a visit!!

I think we all can agree that Lorna has some of the cutest patterns, The Elephant Parade and the  ZebraZ and now the Dog Gone Cute, along with a "few" others you can check out on her blog...

And don't forget to check out the other participants today and here is a link to the other days incase you missed any of them

You are here: Sandy from UpStairsHobbyRoom

Heide from Heide’s Quilty Hugs

Britt-Inger from Hill Valley Quilter

Louisa from Sewmotion

I fell in love with this pattern right away and knew I had to make something for my sister, who happens to have two dogs that look just like this pattern. 

So the question was what....

The Poolside Tote by Noodlehead was the answer. 

(follow the links to find out about purchasing the pattern) 

A totally cute way to display a few Dog blocks.

I think the hardest part of this pattern was deciding which of the cute versions to pick!!

I chose to make 2 pockets for the tote, which only features one, but I think the more pockets the better!!

My only mistake, was forgetting that the bottom of the bag pattern is notched to get the width for the tote. I should have adjusted and put the dog block up higher, because when the tote is sitting the dog looks like he is peeking at you. Lol! just an FYI incase you decide to give this a try!!

And what bag is complete without a matching sunglass case!!

And because I couldn't stop at just one project......

I made this cute little version of the block as a gift for Lorna, whom I met for the first time just after Thanksgiving....over coffee at Tim Horton's. Perfect gift to hold her hot latte. What a great couple of hours we spent chatting about quilting!!

Thanks everyone for stopping by, don't forget to check out the rest of todays participants!!

Here's the links again

You are here: Sandy from UpStairsHobbyRoom

Heide from Heide’s Quilty Hugs

Britt-Inger from Hill Valley Quilter

Louisa from Sewmotion

Double Duty Day

Double Duty Items

I was struggling the other week when I was trying to follow a pattern while I was sewing. The book kept following over and shutting, it was driving me nuts. I was trying to think of a way to have the book sit and be readable, when I remembered something I had purchased on sale and put in my gift closet. (Yes, I have a gift closet. Just part of my cloths closet, but I buy things when I find a sale to keep for baby showers, and bridal showers....and some of the things I sew end up in there till I gift them :)

Anyway I had bought a cookbook holder, thinking it would make a great shower gift and forgotten all about it....but Double Duty.....It works great behind my sewing machine to keep my pattern books open and visible. I can also put my iPad or iPhone on it too.

Looks like I'll need to keep my eyes open for another one for the gift closet, this ones mine! lol

CookBook Holder

ScrapBooking Paper Holder

 I use these to sort and hold my WIPs. I work on more than one project at a time, so these are amazing at keeping me organized!!

What I've Been Up To:

I shared on Monday about the Emmaline Bags Retreat Bag pattern, and was contacted by Vicki about the variation that Clover&Violet came up with adding a divider to the original pattern!! I love how the quilting community shares and gives!!! So of course I had to check it out, and try this version!!

This is before the frame went in! I love it just like this too! The size is great and the shape is lovely!!

 But adding the wire frame just makes it so much easier to get things in and out!! It gives the top of the bag a firm shape, holding the top open.
Don't forget there is a discount code for the Internal Wire Frames from Emmaline Bags in the pages tabs above, if you want to try this amazing pouch yourself.

 Some Emmaline Bling!!! love these pulls!! What can I say, I'm a Canadian girl!!

 An addition to the Poolside Tote I made a little while ago!!

One Christmas Present completed!!

And a little more progress on my Diamond Grid (working name)

I have another question for you too!! 

Well a repeat of the previous question: How many would be interested in a series of One Block patterns for minis/quilts? Starting in October? I have heard from a few and all positive so far, 

thank you!!! 

The set up: The pattern above would be included in the series, but because of the size I made it (10") and the way I grouped the paper pieced areas, this prints on 2 legal sized pages per block and needs to be taped together. 

The Question:Would you prefer a smaller block and/or change the grouping if I can so there would be no taping of pattern pieces, but you would have to sew more units together.?? The above is three units per block. 

#58 My Summer Sewing List

I want to start with an unsolicited review of the Bag of the Month Club from SewSweetness! The short answer is      I loved it!! 
I was so excited when Sara Lawson posted about the club over 6 months ago now, and joined right away! I've only made a few easy bag/totes before and the idea of making my own purses was appealing. The patterns arrived every month in my email and every pattern looked fantastic! Even though I was filing them away to complete after I all the projects on my cutting table were done, I looked the patterns over and they all appear to be clear, well written and well illustrated.
 Then May's pattern showed up, from Anna of NoodleHead Designs, and I knew that would be my first bag!!! The Poolside Tote, perfect size, great summer bag, d ring was the only needed hardware, simple and straight forward pattern (have to ease my way into bag making, so I don't get frustrated, lol) and I knew I had the perfect fabric!! I was not disappointed!! I had one question in the pattern (not enough experience in bag making and wanted to confirm my thought) I emailed Anna and had the answer in no time!! Another great thing is, the bag looks great inside out too!!

I have managed to collect all the needed bag hardware and interfacing now, so now I have 5 more bags to make over the summer, and I am looking forward to the challenge!!

 If you haven't join this years club, you still can, till the end of June! 6 bag patterns for $40.00. Check it out!

  My Summer Sewing List:

       1. MidTown Messenger Bag
2. Convertible Bag
3. Bye Bye Love Bug Bag
4. Butterfly Sling Purse
5. City Slicker Bag (intermediate)
6. Continue Block of the Months
7. Finish Churn Dash blocks
8. Finish Mini Medallion Quilt
9. Batiks Quilt
10. Complete Quilt top for the Layer Cake Sampler

What I've Been Up To:

Making lots of Triple Stars 

Tester Pattern for Kristy at Quiet Play

and hanging out with Caleb at our annual  Church in the Park and family BBQ!!