I climbed out of my quilting box and tried something new this past week and just loved it so much, I couldn't wait to share it with you guys!  Have you made or seen one of these fat quarter bags? 

 I may be the last person on earth to have made one of them.  I've been wanting to make one for a long time so when someone was teaching a class on it at the little quilt guild I'm in I made sure not to miss out!

This bag only calls for 6 fat quarters, elastic, and some yardage for the lining and handles.  I was trying to decide on my fabric (from my stash) at the last minute and finally decided to use some panel yardage by Lori Holt.  Have you seen these prints that she's included in several of her lines?  It's yardage but it's broken up into fat eighth and fat quarter sections!  Just Google "Lori Holt Panel Prints" to find several different options.  

Anyways, this was a great project to use the panel prints on and it was a fun way to make this cute, scrappy bag even scrappier!   

I just so happened to have a coordinating text print on hand that I used for the lining.

It always feel so good to use up your stash, doesn't it!?!

I used some Lori Holt fat quarters from my stash to piece together enough fabric for the straps (I didn't want to use the lining fabric like the pattern calls for because I thought it was too light and they might get dirty faster).

The only thing I did differently than the pattern was on the straps - I omitted the flannel to go inside the straps.  And instead of sewing two strips of fabric together for one strap, I just sewed one wider strip in half (to make a tube) and then turned it right side out.  That's what the teacher said to do and she's been making these bags for years so I think it will hold up just fine.  

You can find the free pattern from All Free Sewing,  HERE.

This bag is huge and great for transporting a quilt or two!

I'm going on a quilt retreat early next month so I'm excited to use this to transport my projects to and from.  It's an easy enough pattern (that even I can do it!) and you can probably get it done in a few hours.  It's definitely a fun one to make!   Have you made one (or two or three)?  Seriously, tell me.  Am I the last one on earth to have made this bag? 

Have a great day friends!

Hi. My name's Amber. And I made a bag.

My Open Wide Zippered Pouch is finished. 

I actually finished it - that's the part that blows me away the most I think.

Don't get me wrong.  For most of you reading this, this pouch would be a snap to make.  The tutorial was great and I had lots of moral support :)  But for a girl like me, who doesn't do bags or zippers (have I said that before?) - this was kinda a big deal.  But in the end - it really wasn't that hard.  Imagine that.

I made the large version.  With two little pockets.

And a cute little (fray checked) ribbon pull.

And a cute little mini tab.

Yes, I made a bag
(excuse me, a pouch). 

It feels good.  I want to make lots more. 

And maybe get a little better at this sewing a zipper business.

The wonderful tutorial for this Open Wide Zippered Pouch can be found HERE.  3 different size options are included.

Happy sewing!

~ Amber