Friday, August 04, 2017

Friday Finish - I ♥ boo...

 
Nope... it's not the Hallowe'en quilt that has tempted me over the years. It's more of an all-year-round (and much more practical!) finish.

Double Trouble and I make frequent visits to numerous branches of our local library. We've done puppet shows, sing-alongs, dance parties, youth orchestra performances... you name it! And of course, there are toys we don't have at home and a zillion new books to check out.
And those books needed a more presentable way to travel back and forth! When Jayne @ Twiggy & Opal posted her version of the paper pieced Tall Tales block by Kate Basti on Instagram, an idea was hatched! I started with a few books and the tote grew from there.
It was such fun going through the kid print scrap pack that I snagged at our recent guild yard sale. I can't even choose which book is my favourite (though the Anne of Green Gables one holds a special spot in my heart)!

 
Once I had those wee books sewn up and quilted, I needed a back (or a front... depending on how you look at it!) for the tote. Time for more paper piecing. Honestly. I think this is becoming an addiction.
Thank goodness for Google... it led me to this sweet little heart pattern. It's a free pattern from Piece by Number.
And for the letters, I decided this tote was the perfect excuse to buy a pattern I'd been coveting for a while - My First Alphabet by From Blank Pages. The letters are perfect. Crisp and distinct, without being clunky. And because they're sold as a digital pattern in PDF form, they can be printed at any size. I went for a 4½ inch high letter. And I dove into my low volume scrap bag to make them.
Necessity was the mother of invention for the Windham Literary Library Cards on the Loan on the top and bottom. I only had three FQs of Kona Charcoal and I was determined not to buy anything to make this tote! I was going to leave it alone, but quilting the edges of the cards makes them pop beautifully.
The lining got a little challenging. I don't like to wash quilted bags too often, so it needed to dark(ish), but not too dark owing to the Kona Charcoal on the outside. I managed to find a large cut of this print (London Fog) that I used for my Mom's yoga tote.
Typically, I underquilt things. I want them finished more than I want them fancy. But not this one... I went for it!
Instead of fighting with fabric for the straps, I dug around in my notions bin and found the same seatbelt webbing that I used for my Dad's yoga bag. This time, I didn't hide it under fabric! I need to re-stock!
Phew! That's a lot of yammering on for one little library tote. I loved the creative process of this one. Each stage just flowed into the next and I was able to find just the patterns I needed with a quick web search. It took me less than a week start to finish and that's saying something in this house.

I'm linking up today with one of my favs - TGIFF @ Kathy's Kwilts and More. Pop on over for some inspiration! Alas, Finish Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts is on a month long blog-break, so I'm trying out Sew Can She's Show Off Saturday and Scrap Happy Saturday @ So Scrappy as well. I hope I'll see you back in two weeks' time when I host TGIFF!

J

17 comments:

  1. It may be a lot of yammering on for one library tote but what a tote it is with it's beautiful books and lovely heart and word Books...and all that wonderful quilting!

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  2. I love all the sweet prints you used for the books (I'm torn between the rockets and Anne of Green Gables!), and the literary due date print is so perfect. You are rocking the paper piecing and the seat belt webbing really makes this look like a comfy tote you'll be using and enjoying for years!

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  3. What a great bag to use so many fun patterns and fabrics! Just think of all the fun libraries and events you'll be visiting to show it off! It's a beauty and I'm sure will be treasured always.

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  4. What a fantastic bag! Your trips to the library just got longer, though, because EVERYONE is going to want to chat with you about this tote. Great job! :)

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  5. That is fantastic. I love the library card fabric too.

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  6. What an adorable little tote. The web makes strong handles for all that heavy reading and your themed fabrics tell a wonderful story.

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  7. Awesome!! All kinds of goodness with this tote.

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  8. Words of LIGHT NEUTRALS in your FABULOUS library tote. Enjoy!!

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  9. That is so great! I love books too and some day I will make a book quilt. There are so many cute ones. Love the tote.

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  10. Cute AND practical - the best kind of projects! That library card fabric is perfect.

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  11. That little unicorn book is absolutely darling! And I've been pining after this paper piecing alphabet pattern for a looooong time, I'm going to have to break and buy it! Love everything about this tote, awesome finish! :)

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  12. Every part of that tote is lovely. I'm sure it will be a family treasure for years to come.

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  13. Well, this bag is simply a delight. What a wonderful idea for the paper pieced books! DT sure will have the best book bag at the library!

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  14. There is a fabric with library cards printed on it. Oh, goodness. I do not need new fabric, but I so want some.
    This bag makes my bookish, nerdy heart sing.

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  15. love Anne of Green Gables! Lovely make and happy to read all the words!

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  16. I very much like your pattern it's beautiful,thank for sharing good i dea !

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