Palm Canyon Bag
About a year ago, Violet Craft released her Palm Canyon fabric line. I Have you seen the fabric? I received a half jelly roll of it in a Sew Sampler box awhile ago. It has some yummy colors, soft yellows and turquoise.
To be honest, I wasn’t all that excited about the fabrics when I saw them all rolled up, which is probably why it sat on my shelf so long. The colors are so soft, they don’t really shine well in a roll. I was much happier when I unrolled it and found this little guy.
Who can resist a cute little fella like that?! I’ve always wanted to see a roadrunner in real life. Maybe someday when I visit Arizona again.
Anyway, as I closed my eyes for a few winks the other day, I started thinking about this little half jelly roll. I suddenly knew what I wanted to make with it, a tablerunner!
So off I went, pulled out the jelly roll, picked out a few strips, cut them to 16-1/2″ and started to sew them together.
Short runners, eh? Well, about halfway through the sewing of the strips, I decided that the runner was going to be too wide. I pondered cutting it narrower. Then I thought about making a pillow instead. No, wait — how about a bag? Did I have a piece of fabric for the lining? Yes, I found a grey polka dot by Kaffe Fassett in my stash. Did I have a batting stiff enough for a bag? Yes, I had just enough Soft & Stable left over from the Jolly Braid Tote Bag I made in October of last year. I love it when that happens.
So the photo above is the strips sewn together and basted to the Soft and Stable. Each piece measures approximately 15″ x 17″. I wasn’t using a pattern, just going from memory.
Now, drum roll, please . . . I actually did some free motion on these two pieces! I used Aurifil thread #3910, Lemon Ice (such a lovely color!). I’m just a little proud of myself. I did a simple meander in wobbly, kindergarten-type stitches, but I did it. Haha!
The Soft and Stable is foam-like, so it really shows off the quilting. It also makes it look better than it is.
The one other item leftover from the Jelly Braid tote bag was the strap material, but I have no idea where I stashed it. I did have some white cotton webbing, so I cut two pieces 30″ each. However, they just needed a little something. I took two jelly roll strips, one for each strap. Folding one strip in half, right sides together, I stitched down the side to make a tube. Once I had the tube turned, I pressed the seam to the center. I centered the jelly roll strip on the webbing and stitched along each side, trimmed off the excess jelly roll strip, and basted each strap to the bag. I like how it turned out.
For the lining, I used a piece of Kaffe Fassett grey polka dot that I had in my stash, and cut it to the same measurements as the bag pieces. Once I had the lining bag made, I snugged the outer bag into the lining bag so they were right sides together. I sewed around the bag, leaving a gap for turning. Once turned, I tucked the lining to the inside of the bag.
I stitched around the top of the bag, catching the gap and sewing it closed. Voila! A finished bag. The bag measures approximately 13″ x 16″.
With a few 9″ – 10″ strips left over, I thought it would be fun to make a matching zippy pouch for the bag. I even found a matching zipper! This time I used fusible fleece to stabilize the bag, and did straight line quilting with my walking foot. I used the beautiful Aurifil Lemon Ice (#3910) again. It blends so well with the yellow strips it was difficult to see while I stitched, but I love it.
And I had enough of the Kaffe Fassett grey polka dot left over for the lining.
Here’s the duo, sitting pretty on my patio table.
BigJ and I are going to take some day trips this weekend, and I think I’ll take this bag and pouch along. Just think of how much fabric that bag will hold, should we happen to come across a quilt shop . . .
And with that, my friends, this post is in the bag!
Linking up today with
- Midweek Makers with Susan at Quilt Fabrication
- Let’s Bee Social with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts
- Wednesday Wait Loss with Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter
- Needle and Thread Thursday with Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation
Do you like to make bags? What is your favorite pattern?
Wendy
20 Comments
Jayne
SO cute! I always have difficulty using jelly rolls so I totally understand having it sit around for a while. The colors are are really lovely! I like what you did on the strap! Its a beautiful duo and you should be proud!!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Wendy, your thought process made those strips become just what they were meant to be! I love how you made the handles sturdy and adorable. That zipper on the pouch really highlights all the turquoise. Your new bags will put a little smile on your face as you and BigJ day trip.
Rose Mikulski
Love your beep beep bag and pouch! I have the same jelly roll sitting on my shelf.
chrisknits
Beautiful combo!! I love the soft colors.
Barbara
Well look at you go! It turned out cute! The quilting looks great.
Needle and Foot
This is gorgeous Wendy – and you had all of it available in your stash. Isn’t that the best? I love whenI don’t have to stop a project because I need one more thing. The fabric was a bit ho-hum when I first saw it but yikes – all put together as you did, it becomes so pretty. Have fun filling it up this weekend!!
Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting
Your bags are great! I love that the fabric took you a different direction as you were working. I don’t often sew without a solid plan, but it’s always fun when I do.
Cherie Burton
A wonderful bag. Perfect for a leisurely weekend getaway.
Vicki in MN
Those are just the perfect strips to make your bags with!! It was meant to be-great finish:)
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! This project just came all together so well, didn’t it?!! It was meant to be – enough in your stash for backing, enough Soft & Stable, enough webbing, a matching zipper. Really nice job! I need to make a bag for my SIL but she wants lots of pockets on the inside – she gave me her old one as a model. This will be a first for us! Happy Wednesday! ~smile~ Roseanne
Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
Wow, those are so cute! Love the bag and it’s matching pouch. Kudos on the quilting! You did an awesome job. Thanks for linking to Wednesday Wait Loss.
Denise
Gorgeous bag. I love fat quarters bundles and jelly rolls. They always include fabrics I wouldn’t have purchased individually.
Lisa
These two bags are beautiful Wendy. I am very impressed that you practiced your free motion quilting on the bigger bag. Yay you!
Susan
Super cute bags – well done!
Louise Hornor
So pretty! And a great reminder to open up those precuts and really look at the fabrics. There’s gold in them thar jelly rolls 🙂
laughinggasquilts
Wendy, the bags are perfect! They are a lovely use of that pretty fabric, and you’ll enjoy them a lot more than you would have enjoyed a runner. Great finish!
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts
I love that this project started out as one thing and ended up being something totally different! Kudo’s to you Wendy! Ad you made a matching zipper pouch! I’m using way to many exclamation points in this comment but I can’t help it – I loved this post (and your bags!!!)
thedarlingdogwood
This looks like a really great bag and I especially love that you added a jelly roll strip tot he handles! I’ll have to remember that! I generally stay away from 3D projects but every once in a while I will forget how much I hate making bags and start one anyway 🙂 Now I just have to wait for the next time that happens! Lovely bag!
My Sewful Retirement
Hi Wendy, both bags are fantastic! love the color combination — great way to use a jelly roll — definitely gives me ideas for Christmas gifts 🙂
Thanks!
piecefulwendy
Thanks!