What’s Cookin’
What’s cookin’ over here at Pieceful Thoughts? I’ve been a little quiet lately, but I have been busy in my sewing room. However, all of my projects can’t be shown yet! Still, I thought it might be fun to drop by and let you know I’m still around.
I have had this BBQ tools fabric in my stash for awhile. It’s been sitting on my shelf, waiting. I acquired this fabric in a grab bag from a local quilt shop. In the grab bag was one yard of fabric along with a pattern. In my grab bag was a yard of this fabric and a pattern for a man’s apron. I wasn’t inspired, so I put the fabric on the back burner.
Some of my shopping bags are wearing out – ones that I picked up at the grocery store, not ones I’ve made. I’ve made several types of shopping bags, as you can see here and here. Of those bags, my hands down favorite is the medium Stand & Stow Bag by Atkinson Designs.
I decided this BBQ fabric would work for the outer bag, but what to line it with? Then I spied this Dear Stella fabric that makes me laugh every time I look at it. A great way to make shopping at least a little bit fun, yes?
The medium bag measures 12″ x 12″ x 7-1/2″. It is a very generous size and I can pack in a lot of items. The bag is stabilized with Pellon 71F so it stands on its own. It softens over time a bit, but even then, it stands up well enough for me to fill it without having to hold it open.
The only modification I’ve made to the pattern is to sew an “X” through the stabilized panels. This came after we dropped a jar of dressing in the bag while packing the groceries and it broke. I washed the bag, worried that the Pellon would bunch up (it didn’t). I consider it a bit of extra insurance, just in case.
Here’s a photo looking down into the bag, so you can see the generous size.
Here’s a side view.
Along with the generous size, I also like that it folds up for easy storage in my car.
I have lost count of how many of these bags I have made. I know I’ve made at least 6. Of those, 4 were given away. These make great gifts.
So that’s what’s cookin’ over here at Pieceful Thoughts. I hope you have good things cookin’ in your quilt room too!
Wendy
Thursday Thoughts
23 Comments
Sandra Healy
What a super bag, Wendy! You’ve inspired me to have a go too.
marissthequilter
Wow, What A Bag !! The bearded men have stolen my heart.
Nice to hear your voice again Wendy. Looking forward to seeing what other surprises will be coming out of your sewing room.
Tracie
That bag is great! I’d chuckle too when looking at all those faces. Since I was rummaging through my fabric already, I might as well keep going and find fabric to make a bag!
Quilting is in my Blood
What a fun, whimsical bag! My sewing machine doesn’t really like sewing through thick layers, so I’m not sure it would handle the really stiff Pellon. I may give it a try someday.
Cindy Pieters
What a great bag! Love the unexpected fabric inside.
Nancy Bekedam
Great bag pattern review! Love your new shopping bag, Wendy!!!
Helen
Hooray for using reusable shopping bags! I’m happy to do my part to save the world… one plastic tree at a time! My backseat always has a pile of cloth bags waiting for the next grocery trip; however, seeing yours it occurs to me that zero of mine are cute!
My Sewful Retirement
What a blessing for your post this morning! I was looking for a pattern for the girls yesterday. They have a new farmer’s market in the neighborhood and I wanted to make something they can use and keep in the stroller. This will be perfect — thanks again for sharing!
Vicki in MN
When you showed me the bag I didn’t realize it folded up! Great conversation piece, especially the inside:0
texasquiltgal
Nice work! I love that pattern and the fabric. The faces are the perfect touch! We have a bunch of bags but they are all “floppy”. Atkinson’s Yellow Brick Road was the first pattern I loved when I started quilting.
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Great bag, Wendy! I love that it folds up – so handy. Talk of secret sewing always intrigues me! I’ll enjoy seeing what you’ve been up to when you can show it.
karenfae
I always forget to bring those bags in the store with me until I get it. I know when we travel there are a couple states we have been in that have had notices up that they will be switching from plastic bags to reusable bags and suggest you bring your own I think Colorado maybe is one of and Utah perhaps?
Barbara J Stanbro
That is a great bag. Love the fabrics you used.
ROCHELLE SUMMERS
Good to hear from you. Your bag is awesome. I love that it folds up. Nice that it is washable, too. What a good review of the pattern. Look forward to seeing some of that secret sewing soon.
Sandra Walker
I’ve only made a couple of bags for groceries as I have lots over the years from various stores. Ontario banned all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores as of early this year so you either buy their reusable ones or bring your own. About time! This is a perfect use for both fabrics.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I really like the way the bag folds down so small. I think adding the extra bit of sewing for insurance makes sense, and I hope you get a good laugh or smile every time you use it!
rl2b2017
Hey good lookin’, whatcha got cookin’?! Glad to know what you’ve been up to. What a fabulous bag. Your photos really showcase how nice the size is and how well it stands up with the addition of the Pellon. Other shoppers will see you chuckling and wondering what is in your bag?!! ~smile~ Roseanne
Kathleen McCormick
It is a fun bag, gonna look up that pattern, as it really looks so practical. I hear many of the others can be washed but some of mine are in such bad shape. I like that it stands and folds – bonuses! Great job.
quiltinggail
Great bag!!! And I can see why the lining makes you laugh!!! Such fun!
Kathy Swallows
A very fun and useful bag. Love your fabric choices!
Cheree Hull
Ha! That is a GREAT bag! I’m thinking fill it full of BBQ toys and bam, perfect Father’s Day gift. Or maybe a “whatever you can fit in here at the BBQ store is on me”? (I’d so be trying to cram a pizza oven in that thing…now, how “generous” is it sized again??)
Needle and Foot
perfect use of both fabrics Wendy. Super cute!
Carol Andrews
Great bag and such a fun way to use up those fabrics! I dislike grocery shopping, but bags like this wouls even get a chuckle out of me when doing the dreaded chore!