Square bag

Now this is the project I started during our Easter holidays in Northern France. I finished it at home as my machine was better at dealing with the thickness of the wadding, especially around the top of the bag.

 And again I started with the idea that the project would be simple, 5 squares to make the 4 sides and the bottom, all the same size. You can make one as big or as small as you like.

 The idea of the folded edge came from this book by Cecile Franconie, in French, called Rangements a Coudre. I have made several projects from these pages like the crochet hook holder, and the Japanese lantern box. 

 I made the handles my usual way, with wadding and sewing on top.
And I made a pocket, by folding the fabric in 2 and sewing around, it is a lined pocket.

 Now I attempted free motion quilting when I was away. I took the foot off the machine so it was more difficult, but I managed something, maybe not so easy to see.

Finally this type of quilting is called Zentangle stitching apparently, and I saw a video on YouTube showing it. This is my trial of the technique, it works very well.

Have fun sewing.

Pascale

Baby quilt for the hospital

Our patchwork group is working for a charity this year. We are repeating what we did 2 years ago and quilting for the hospital, more precisely the special care baby unit, where my friend B works.

 I have made this little quilt already and am working on another one, well maybe. We will give them on the 16th of May so the deadline is approaching.

 I started thinking of a quick project. Really I was kidding myself, there are a lot of half square triangles in this design, 8 per star in fact. Each is finished at 1".

 I used some purple fleece on the back, and only quilted around the star. It's a good size to practise free motion quilting.

At the end the back looks really interesting, and very soft.
The corners are rounded to be less dangerous for tiny infants.

I hope this little quilt will make somebody happy.
Enjoy your sewing.

Pascale.