Play Date #8 Just A Little Purse or Notions Bag

Here’s a great way to use up leftovers from patchwork projects. Make a small purse or a notions bag large enough for the bare necessities. You decide how large you want the finished bag, depending on your needs and the available materials. Here we go!    

Purses & Notions Bags

Materials

Small leftovers from other projects, including patchwork pieces, threads, beads, fabrics, and trims

Soft, dyed leather strip, rat-tail cording, or braided cord of the desired length for a shoulder strap, 45″ usually works well

Polyester or cotton batting for bag foundation

Lining and pocket fabric

Zipper, at least 1″ longer than the cut measurement of the purse opening

Materials Needed

Directions

Decide on the desired finished size of your bag. The examples shown here range in size from approximately 5″ X 8″ to 9″ X 12″. Cut a piece of foundation batting of the desired width, plus side seam allowances, and twice as long as the desired finished length, plus 1/2″. Often a scrap of batting left over from some other project dictates the size of the purse I make. Each one is always a nice surprise.

Foundation Measurements

Use your leftovers to cover the foundation in a pleasing arrangement. Stitch and Flip patchwork and leftover fabrics to the foundation. Use buttons, beads, and decorative threads to add whimsy, if you choose.

Cover the Foundation

After the patchwork piece is completed, cut a piece of lining to match the finished size. Stitch a pocket at least 1 1/2″ from the top of the lining. Set aside.

Add a Pocket to Lining

Pin the zipper to one edge of the patchwork, with right sides together and zipper closed. Align the raw edge of the fabric with the edge of the zipper tape. Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4″ from the edge of the zipper tape. The ends of the zipper may extend beyond the patchwork piece as long as it’s at least 1″.

Stitch 1/4″ from Edge

Repeat the above step at the opposite end of the patchwork.

Zipper Sewn to Patchwork

Unzip the zipper. Pin the lining to the patchwork, right sides together, with the zipper sandwiched between the two layers of fabric. Working from the wrong side of the patchwork, stitch on top of previous zipper stitching.

Lining to Zipper

Partially close the zipper. Pull the lining away from the patchwork. If you are making a purse, place the cording inside the patchwork side. Pull 1/2″ of the cord out to the edge of the patchwork, close to the zipper. Pin in place. Pin the side seams of the patchwork together and the side seams of the lining together. Except for the 1/2″ of cording showing, the rest should be inside the bag. Turn the zipper teeth toward the patchwork. Stitch 1/4″ from all raw edges, leaving a 4″ long opening on one side of the lining for turning. Be sure to backstitch carefully over the zipper teeth at both ends. Cut off ends of zipper if they extend beyond the seam edges.

Stitch Raw Edges

Turn the purse right side out through the lining opening. Pull gently on the cording. Turn in the seam allowance at the lining and stitch closed by machine.

Stitch Opening Closed

Push lining inside purse. On outside, push in the lower corners to shape box corners. Pin in place. Turn bag inside out and stitch across the corner 1″ from the point, stitching through the lining and the purse layers. Turn right side out.

Stitch Across Corners

This created a bottom to your purse or bag.

Bottom of Bag

Inside Bag

9″ X 11″ Finished

Now wasn’t that easy? Try another one. It will go much quicker and will be easier than the first one.

Measures 4″ X 9″

To make this process even quicker and easier check out my etsy shop for kits with directions ready to go. I’m having lots of fun creating  different sizes and different looks. They just need to be stitched together.

Blue Kit

Would love to see what YOU create. Have fun. Send pictures.

Love and Stitches, Judy

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Thanks for the Memories

A graduation, a marriage, birth of a baby, a new job, a move to a new town are all things that are reminders of where we were when we look back and remember. This past week-end brought back many memories of my career as a quilting teacher, designer, author, and most especially a part of Quilts, Inc.

In 1976 when I first interviewed for a job with Karey Bresenhan, owner and President of Quilts, Inc. I had a one-year old baby on my hip. I also had a 4-year old and 8-year old at home.  Karey wanted me to teach in her shop projects using the quilt blocks I  had learned from her mother,  Jewel Patterson. I accepted, and the rest is history. My family and I have grown up with quilting being a major part of our lives.

The Murrah Family 1976

Starting to work for Karey Bresenhan in 1976 has expanded into 37 years of International Quilt Festivals and Markets all over the United States, Quilt Expos for 20 years in Europe, and most recently the Texas Quilt Museum.

All of these accomplishments were dreams of Karey’s that she turned into a reality with the help of a dedicated staff of long-time employees. Many of those have come and gone, but many have stayed for the long haul. It’s been a life-time of adventures. In 2014 Karey and staff will celebrate the 40th birthday of International Quilt Festival.

Quilts, Inc. Staff 2012

On Saturday, August 31, 2013 many of those long-time staff members were present to help Karey and Maurice Bresenhan celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. The festivities started with champagne at the Texas Quilt Museum which is located in a pair of beautifully restored, historic 1880’s buildings in La Grange, Texas.

Texas Quilt Museum

After a little mingling and greeting, family and friends were seated to witness the renewal of Karey and Maurice’s traditional wedding vows under two Double Wedding Ring quilts. You could hear a pin drop as the officiant started with “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, to witness and bless the reaffirmation of the marriage covenant of holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate established by God.”

Renewal of Vows

After the ceremony, the guests departed for the Bresenhan ranch which is about 10 minutes away. We first went to their house for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served on the deck and in the house. The Texas evening was nice and the lighting and setting were enchanting.

On the Deck

But we hadn’t seen anything yet. The Creativity Center, where we hold our monthly leadership meetings, seminars, and Quilt Camps, was transformed into a Cinderella wonderland. The draped ceiling with twinkle lights, the red table cloths,

Creativity Center Transformation

the plethora of family and friends’ bridal portraits with red and white vintage quilts,

Red & White Quilts & Wedding Portraits

Red & White Quilts & Brides Portraits

and childhood photos of Karey and Maurice placed on all the tables with their beautiful table settings were a feast for the eyes. Everyone was in awe.

Lovely Table Setting

Great music was playing as we all entered, and then came the Bride and Groom. What a beautiful couple.

Maurice Bresenhan & Karey Patterson Bresenhan

Among the very special guests were Karey’s cousin, Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, who is Executive Vice President of Quilts, Inc. and her husband, Carlos Puentes, whose company has provided our enrollment system since 1995.

Carlos Puentes & Nancy O’Bryant Puentes

Willie Hart, who was in charge of Quilts, Inc. Show Operations for more than 20  years, is now VP of Special Projects. She does huge banners of quilts photo-shopped on buildings  for our shows.  She printed and mounted all of the photos for the Anniversary Celebration. Gene Reynolds, CPA, and owner of the company that has taken care of our accounting for many years, was among our Quilts family.

Gene Reynolds & Willie Hart

Bob Ruggiero, Director of Publications & Public Information who has been with Quilts, Inc. for 17 years, was the DJ for the evening. He played mostly tunes from the ’60’s for our dining pleasure and then for dancing. That’s me with Bob. I’ve worked in the Education department for Karey since the beginning. I am VP of Education and Administration.

Bob Ruggiero & Me

In the last 10 years, we have added many employees who are coming up along beside us long-timers. Marvin Paz has worked his way up to assisting Ruth Polanco in Show Operations. Pokey Bolton came on board almost two years ago as Chief Creative Officer. The company is changing and growing, and lots of new things are on the horizon.

Marvin Paz & Pokey Bolton

After a scrumptious meal catered by Bistro 108 and dancing, we adjourned to seating outside the Creativity Center to watch a fabulous display of fireworks in the Cow Field.

Those who spent the night were  treated to Sunday Brunch in the Creativity Center after beverages under the oak trees. I enjoyed seeing Trix Buhlmann-Epple from Switzerland for the week-end. Trix has worked with Quilts, Inc. Special Exhibits since we started doing shows in Europe. We couldn’t do without her.

Chatting with Trix Buhlmann-Epple

With the celebration completed around noon Sunday, we drove out of the ranch and back home with many more magical memories of Karey Bresenhan and Quilts, Inc.

Leaving the Ranch

May you have many memories of love, loyalty, and faith.

Your friend, Judy