alwaysquilting
judysew4th
knitsnquilts
ladybirdee
Someone at Always Quilting had a special birthday recently. We wanted to honour this grand event by making a surprise birthday present. (You see we weren’t supposed to know this birthday was happening!) So, much deliberation and soul searching and mental creativity occurred in the months leading up to a decision being made.
We decided to make a bag, big enough to carry a finished quilt OR at least be used for storage of fabrics, threads, books, notions or patterns!
Secret meetings were arranged, colour choices worked out and fabrics selected and purchased.
The perfect thread with the perfect fabric
Each person was allocated a horizontal row to design and make. Firstly, the “braid” was sewn:
Beautiful braid of fabric
Then the fabrics were passed to another person who put together the 6″ row of squares.
Big Square blocks are sensational
Then the foundation pieced flowers for the top row were made.
Sweet flower blocks
It was quite exciting seeing the different rows being completed.
Finally the bag was put together with horizontal sashing, lining, handles and quilting- ALL with Aurifil thread of course!!
Completed Birthday Bag
The birthday girl was quite surprised when we gave her the present. We know she will get lots of use out of it!
Filed under: Aurifil, Cotton Mako', Cotton Mako' Ne 40, Home page, Patchwork, Quilting Tagged: | Always Quilting, Aurifil, Australia, bags, Cotton Mako', design inspiration, Patchwork
[...] can read about it in our blog posts on 3 August 2012, 10 November 2012 and 11 January 2013 where there are excellent descriptions of how each person [...]
[...] a patchwork bag for a special birthday . We have had several requests for the instructions with the French Braid instructions provided back in November [...]
[...] Earlier this year, one of us at Always Quilting celebrated a significant birthday and the rest of the staff “plotted and schemed” to make a surprise gift, a patchwork bag. http://alwaysquilting.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/birthday-surprise/ [...]
What a wonderful, wonderful bag ! Love all the mystery about it and the fabulous choice of fabrics. Are these materials made in Australia ?
Forgot to mention the funny translation (in French) of your expression “When the boss is away the staff will play”:
“When the cat sleeps, the mice dance”
I love the translation! I will have to remember it, as I am sure it will be appropriate at some time in the future.
I will have to check with the girls, but I don’t think that they will be Australian made fabrics.
Very few fabrics are made here these days.
Oh Oh, so it is true. When the boss is away the staff will play.
You may have noticed that I have already used my lovely bag to transport a quilt for show & tell.
Thank you.