Thursday, May 9, 2013

Weekender Travel Bag #Sew Mama Sew Giveaway - FINISHED!

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I couldn't wait for "sweet light" to introduce you the Weekender Travel Bag I made for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway.  (If you are entering the giveaway, please leave a comment on this post - comments left anywhere else, while oh-so-welcome, will not count as entries for the giveaway.)

As you can see, I used mostly Amy Butler Lark for the quilted outside panels of the bag.  I am actually really excited about these chevrons, you know - these were some of the "bonus HSTs" (I made the HSTs as I was making the flying geese - a suggestion I read somewhere - Flickr, maybe?)  I had left over from all those flying geese in Amanda's Swoon Quilt that I made her for Christmas.  You can read about the Swoon quilt here and here.   I really love creating things out of scraps.  It makes me feel so thrifty!  And I really had a blast creating this bag.  (And now that I've re-read the Swoon posts, I think I'm going to have a really hard time giving this baby away.  Luckily, there are lots more HSTs if I decide to make another bag.)  If you'd like to make one, I think Amanda still has some Lark in her shop.

Here's the other side.  While the color combinations are basically the same, the fabrics on both sides are different, partly because I didn't have enough of any one fabric, and partly because I thought it was a fun way to create the bag.  Making the bag wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be.  The most time consuming part was quilting the outside.



Not a single wordy-dirty on this project, can you believe it?  A bunch of bent pins, but that was to be expected (I really have to get some of those quilting binder clips.)  And only two broken needles - one because I didn't screw the needle in tight enough and it came loose while I was sewing - oops!  The other because the needle I was using was too small.  In the instructions, Amy recommends a size 16 needle and sewing s-l-o-w-l-y.  I think she means it!  I didn't have any 16's, but I did use an 18 for most of the bag construction (after I broke the size 12 needle, of course), and it worked perfectly.  I used most of Elizabeth Hartmann's suggestions for the bag, including using cotton duck instead of peltex, and I really like the sturdiness and heft of the bag.  If I do make this bag again, I'll use this same idea. 

I decided to vary my chevrons a bit for the end pockets.  I kinda wish I'd thought of that sooner.  It's really fun!

I used texty prints as filler - and also because I thought it was really fun.  And the piping is a texty print I stole scavenged from Amanda when she made her Weekender last fall.

It has a double zipper...

And my favorite divided pocket inside - perfect for cell phone, keys, and other small objects you don't want to lose in the bottom of the bag.

I'm so excited about this project!  I sure hope the winner likes it!








37 comments:

  1. Wow -- looks great! I'd also read to use the binder clips and sew slowly (the latter not being a problem for me at all).

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  2. Gorgeous! I am keeping my fingers crossed :)

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  3. Wow, it's gorgeous!!!! I would truly love to win this...though I'm sure my chances are slim to none. =) LOL. Amazon had the best price on those clips, but I just looked and the price went up! Ouchie. I'd keep watch though...put them in your favorites or cart, then check back. The last bunch I bought were only $15.98...glad I bought them when I did. =)

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  4. I like it very very much! so all you have to do is pick me and then you will KNOW that the winner loves it. There you go, problem solved! you're welcome.

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  5. Wow your weekender bag is so fantastical ,superb!!!!! If I´ll pick I `ll really love it !!!
    Greatings from Germany, Andrea !! :) :)

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  6. It`s just wonderful.Love it.!!

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  7. Who couldn't love such a neat bag!

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  8. It is beautiful! I hope I win it. One day I will be brave enough to make one myself.

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  9. Whew what a lovely bag -great prize!

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  10. Wow that bag is absolutely stunning....Would love to show that baby off on my shoulder.

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  11. This bag is absolutely gorgeous.I would be very, very happy if i won it. You did a fantastic job. I love the way you made the chevrons.

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  12. What a beautiful bag! I'm glad you got it finished in time, because it is such a lovely gift!

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  13. Im wishing upon a star to win!! =))) great job on the bag!! whoever wins will be one happy camper!

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  14. oh wow! Totally GORGEOUS bag! I'm going to just HAVE to try this pattern someday soon!

    Beautiful work! Hope the lucky winner adores it! Cause I know if I win it, I'm gonna LOVE it! :)

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  15. I love your bag! I would totally love it if I won it :) thanks for the giveaway!

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  16. WOW!! The finished product is incredible! I love that you used scraps from the Swoon quilt that you made for your daughter - not just thrifty, more like too good to waste!

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  17. LOOOOOOOVE it!!! What an AWESOME job you did!! Would be thrilled to have it come & live at MY house for sure!! Wooohoooo! :)

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  18. That is just the most awesome looking bag! I love everything about it!

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  19. I love the bright coloured chevrons against the white. You have made a super bag. Well done.

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  20. It is fantastic! I am sure I will love it when I win it ;) cheeky me LOL

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  21. I, of course, put in to win this, lol!! You did a fabulous job and I think it's a stunner!

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  22. I would love to win this overnight bag - it's quite lovely and you did a great job! I would also like to try to make it myself.

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  23. WOW this is really beautiful! You did a great job! Fingers and toes crossed!

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  24. It really turned out great! Thanks for the tips about construction (just in case I don't win...)

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  25. I wanted this bag when I saw the teaser photo at the beginning of the week and now I want it even more! You did such a great job! Crossing my fingers that my name is drawn. I would be proud to carry that bag.=)

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  26. Oh gosh, I really love this bag! Hope I win it!!!!

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  27. Wow gorgeous bag. I love that you made it with left over half sq triangle blocks, love the text fabric too. It came out amazing fingers are crossed and thanks for the chance.

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  28. Wow gorgeous bag. I love that you made it with left over half sq triangle blocks, love the text fabric too. It came out amazing fingers are crossed and thanks for the chance.

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  29. WoW!! You did an amazing job! Your bag is so beautiful!

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. absolutely fantastic, what a happy and unique bag!!

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  31. So gorgeous! I haven't been brave enough to try it yet!

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  32. Great fabrics and quilting; awesome bag!

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