Springtime Reflections

It's September and I still haven't made a single quilt top this year (I've been focusing on bags, bags, and more bags in my sewing room), but on the bright side, I've been able to whittle down the massive pile of quilt tops I have in my quilting room by actually finishing them!

The pattern I used is Mountain Reflections by Sweet Jane's Quilting & Design, but I named my quilt Springtime Reflections because the fabrics, Flow by Zen Chic, just look so spring to me.

For the quilting I was going for something that would be simple but still striking, and so I chose to juxtapose the use of white space with dense lines. I tried that for a quilt called City Tiles awhile ago, and really loved the effect, so I wanted to try it again.

I chose a very simple geometric design for the colored fabrics, just something simple and easy to execute.

Although there's a border on the original quilt design, I opted to leave it out.

I'm really happy with how this quilt turned out, as the background has a very mesmerizing look. And since next month is October, I'm definitely planning to quilt a Halloween quilt next.

Sky Harbor Tote & Mustang Purse Organizers

Last year when I went to visit Missouri Quilt Star Company (on a quilting pilgrimage), I saw this gorgeous dark blue fabric with a gold design on it, and I just knew it was going to be something special. However, I was unsure what pattern to use. And then, one day while looking for a new bag pattern on Sew Sweetness, I saw Sky Harbor Tote, and just instantly I knew, I was going to make it with this special fabric.

Sky Harbor Tote's main feature is the decorative zippers on the side, so I was very happy to find zipper tape and zipper pulls that complemented it so well! Along with that, the bag has hidden straps, slip and zipper pockets, and a recessed top zipper. It is very full-featured.

Since I have made several tote bags now, I figured I also need a purse organizer so I can swap bags more easily. And of course Sara has a pattern for that too: the Mustang Purse Organizer. I enjoyed making the first one so much that I decided I need another, so I ended up making one in each size.

The Mustang Purse Organizer comes chock full of different styles of pockets, and it is just so handy! I'm also totally enamored with the fabric I chose. These all come from my yardage stash and I'm so glad they finally have a home.

I used to make bags only because I wanted the finished product, but I didn't enjoy the process. I can say now ... I'm enjoying the process!