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Bryan House Quilts

Duffle bag finish

Uncategorized

20 Feb
A few weeks ago on instagram (meanwhile, on instagram…) my friend Tammy posted this pic
and I instantly had duffle bags to make for my mother and me to take on our upcoming Spring Break trip. Yah! I mean we are taking all four kids to the beach, we can get a treat too right?! 
Taking to google I discovered three of my favorite bloggers had already made this bag. 
Jeni, Rachel and Jacey each have posted a write up about the pattern (Simplicity 2274). 
Simlarly to the bags these ladies made, I choose to go with a linen blend, namely two Melody Miller prints. I used Ruby Star Spring 2012, Starlet in Aspic for the body and Ruby Star Shining, Coffeepots in Fushia for the handle straps, side pocket and side and zipper tabs. (How cute are zipper tabs by the way?) I was super excited to find an affordable linen look muslin at Joann’s for the interior.  

This pattern goes together fairly easily. It seemed the biggest chunks of time were spent cutting out and marking all the pieces and preparing the jute webbing (it does bleed a lot, so take care to wash wash wash it). 

On one side of the bag, I centered this lovely silhouette between the straps. 

On the other side for the pocket, I fussy cut another silhouette, but this time taking care to feature too the bunch of pretty flowers. 
Here, you can see the pocket rockin’ the cell phone

I’m extremely pleased with this bag. It is floppy when unstuffed, which is a bit of a bummer, so I think I will add a false bottom. And if I were to make it again for myself I would add a stiff interfacing to the side panels to give it more body. 
I’m especially happy I can pack this baby off to QuiltCon in a few days! 
Happy Wednesday everyone! 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Taryn says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    I am so in love with this bag! Great fabric choice!

  2. smazoochie says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    You Bag Ladies (no slur intended) make me ashamed of myself! I'm so afraid of things like that. I guess I should just take the plunge.
    You've done a beautiful job!

    • LilBirdie Sews says

      March 21, 2013 at 4:46 am

      I'm taking the plunge! If anybody else does, please share your results! I'd love to see some videos on creating this duffel bag.

  3. Kelly says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    It is fabulous! I am half way through with an Echino version 🙂

    • LilBirdie Sews says

      March 21, 2013 at 4:47 am

      Care to share your results via Flickr or youtube?

  4. Heidi Staples says

    February 20, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    This is absolutely adorable! I just love your fabric choices, Becca!

  5. Karamat says

    February 21, 2013 at 1:19 am

    Love your bag!! I'm looking forward to making mine.

  6. Lauren says

    February 21, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Cute!

  7. ayumills says

    February 21, 2013 at 10:27 am

    I love this bag so much!! It will sure make your trip very special!

  8. Toni says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    I love it! And those straps look really sturdy. Have fun on your trip!!

  9. LilBirdie Sews says

    March 21, 2013 at 4:50 am

    I would love to see some other results for this bag if anyone else has made it!!! Please list your links to your designs, I'm in the process of making mine now. Will post results on my blog, lilbirdiesews.blogspot.com.

  10. Cyndi says

    September 26, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Thanks for sharing. I have this pattern and want to make it but my fabric of choice is directional, can you give instructions on how to cut the body?
    Thanks!

    • rebeccabryan says

      September 26, 2016 at 10:35 am

      If I remember correctly, you might have to do a work around. Is the pattern one directional or 2 directional?

      Mine was 1 directional, so I had to cut it half and turn one half so it would be right side up when finished. If you do that, you have to add a seam allowance.

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Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

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If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, b If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, because it might change the way you do it forever! 

 Sew your binding to the BACK of your quilt first. Not the front!

When I first started machine binding, I did it the traditional way. I’d attach the binding to the front, wrap it around to the back, and then stitch in the ditch from the front.

The problem? I couldn’t actually SEE where my stitches were landing on the back. And sometimes the back ended up having a few surprises waiting for me. 😅

Then one day I thought, what if I just do this the other way around?

By attaching the binding to the back FIRST, I can wrap it around to the front and actually see where I’m stitching as I finish it. No more guessing what’s happening underneath!

It’s such a simple switch, but it makes getting a tidy, consistent finish SO much easier.

And when you’ve spent all that time piecing and quilting something beautiful, who doesn’t want the binding to look just as good?!

Give it a try on your next quilt and report back! With our finished quilt tops for the Dutch Summer, members will be binding them soon! Share in the comments how you do your binding! 🩷

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I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

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A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next A couple of weeks ago, I picked my colors for next year’s “Starburst” Block of the Moth, and I had to laugh at myself because even though I started with a few pretty pinks and yellows as my inspiration...

I devolved back to rainbows for my final selection. I do love a rainbow gradient! So glorious, so delicious!

Honestly, sometimes it takes me several, several, several rounds to get the colors just how I want them. 😭  But the good news is, I do have the rainbow fabric on hand!

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SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermi SWIPE to see the big finish, my completed Peppermint Twist Dutch Summer! 🤍

The joy really is in the journey with my Block of the Month programs, where every single month you make one block, sew your whole batch, and, month by month, start to see the design come together with each new block.

And that’s why ANYONE can make this quilt! Yes, even a first-timer! 

You don’t have to sit down and make an entire quilt all at once. You make one batch of blocks, then another, and another... You learn as you go, watch your skills develop, and slowly start seeing the whole quilt come together.

And then one day, all those individual triangles you’ve been making come together and you’ve made THIS. 🥹

I absolutely love how this Peppermint Twist version of Dutch Summer turned out, and seeing all of the blocks together makes me want to do the whole thing all over again in another color palette! 😂

If you want to make your own version of the Dutch Summer, comment ‘DUTCH’ and I’ll send you the details! 💌

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If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, b If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, because it might change the way you do it forever! 

 Sew your binding to the BACK of your quilt first. Not the front!

When I first started machine binding, I did it the traditional way. I’d attach the binding to the front, wrap it around to the back, and then stitch in the ditch from the front.

The problem? I couldn’t actually SEE where my stitches were landing on the back. And sometimes the back ended up having a few surprises waiting for me. 😅

Then one day I thought, what if I just do this the other way around?

By attaching the binding to the back FIRST, I can wrap it around to the front and actually see where I’m stitching as I finish it. No more guessing what’s happening underneath!

It’s such a simple switch, but it makes getting a tidy, consistent finish SO much easier.

And when you’ve spent all that time piecing and quilting something beautiful, who doesn’t want the binding to look just as good?!

Give it a try on your next quilt and report back! With our finished quilt tops for the Dutch Summer, members will be binding them soon! Share in the comments how you do your binding! 🩷

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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