Rosie's Patchwork Bag

There hasn't been too much sewing around here recently.  Enjoying the summer, being in the garden (not gardening as I have a sore back!) and taking my gorgeous little granddaughter out for Crafty Adventures.  Had a great time.

We had a friend, her Mum and two children round for a cup of tea last Wednesday.  Rosie, who is four any day now, will be starting School in September.  As we have once a year School entry in our county Rosie starts in Reception ( first year of the primary School in the UK) in a couple of weeks' time.  Rosie's Granny knows I love making Patchwork quilts, cushions and bags so asked if she could ask me a favour.  Of course!  So I was asked if I could make a Book Bag (with handles) and Gym Bag (with a drawstring) both having Rosie's name on the front.

I finished the Book Bag yesterday and I'm very happy with the result:

 The Front:

 

 

The Back:

 

I have a box with plastic ziplock bags full of various sized squares which I add to whenever I have suitable sized fabric scraps to cut into squares.  Nothing is ever wasted here!

 

I have several bags of  2.5" squares because I have been intending to make Katy's (of Imagingermonkey fame) Scrap Vomit Quilt.  I even took part in two swaps on Swap Bot to get more 2.5" squares.  So I had a lot to choose from.  Decided on this colourway: pinks, greens and yellows.

 

 

As all the patchwork squares were already cut it didn't take long to make the patchwork pieces for the front and back of the bag.  I found a piece of pink fabric with turquoise dots which was big enough for the lining and the handles. Even a little left over: a larger scrap for my Scraps drawer and, yes, you've guessed it!  Four more 2.5" squares!  70 squares used on the bag and only 4 put back in my stash.  Oh dear, I shall have to do a bit of replenishing!

 

Not before I start Rosie's Gym Bag though.  I have found a great tutorial on Pink Penguin's Blog so I hope to start that project tomorrow.

 

When Rosie was born I made a Teddy Bear quilt for her which she still loves apparently.  Her Mummy says she still has the washing instructions I sent along with the quilt and follows them faithfully.

 

Rosie's Teddy Quilt

 

 

I love hearing that my gifted quilts have been loved and used and washed and washed.  Makes all the work making them so worthwhile.  In fact I would say it gave me a "Rosy glow'!

 

Linking up with Clare's  Maybush Studio blog  

for  Brit Sewing Thursday Linky

 

Happy sewing!