More Nine Patch Quilt Blocks

Many moons ago I started a nine patch sampler quilt as a way of learning some new skills.  One patch of procrastination later and I have learnt a number of things.

While straight lines are easy...

They can get more complicated when the fabric pieces become smaller...

But put together in the right way make pretty stars.  This is my favourite block so far.

However, multiple pieces coming to a point are nearly impossible (I hate to think about how many times I had to unpick and redo seams on this one.  Lets just say that this block and the next were responsible for me packing things away for so long)...

 And curves are Abominations Unto Nuggan and should be banned!  This patch is called Drunkards Path and I think that's because it describes the quilter after making a quilts worth of these blocks!

Still two blocks to go before I face the next saga- putting it all together and quilting it. 

Into the Labyrinth Bag Part 2

Hooray for school holidays!  It means I can finally get some of the jobs that have been sitting on the back-burner done!

Labyrinth bag blocking

Today's post is about how I finished off my 'Into the Labyrinth' bag.  In the previous post I had the bag finished but needing a liner so the wool that was carried on the back of the knitting would not tangle with every item put into the bag.

Step one was to block it so it would hold it's shape.  This was easy to do- lightly wet your bag (the wetter it is, the longer to dry so you ideally want it just damp- or do this on a stinking hot day).  Then put it into the final shape.  I achieved this by rolling up a towel until it was the desired internal diameter and placed it inside.  If sitting it upright like I did to allow it to dry evenly, then safety pins can be useful to hold the top up.

Then to work on the liner. I wanted cheap and easy so I went with pieces of felt. They are available most commonly in A4 sizes so I went with that.  However, if you don't want to sew multiple seams to get the diameter right then fabric shops will have wider widths you can buy by the metre.  For my bag I went with two black pieces for the side and a piece of light green for the base, partly because contrast is pretty and it matches the front but mostly because I hate having to hunt for a dark object in a dark bag with dark lining.  The green piece was cut to be about 1cm smaller than the size of the leather base on the bag itself.

Next sew the sides together and check they fit around your base.  Tiny confession here- technically my sides were about 3cm too short to fit around my base. But felt is forgiving and by the time it was put into a bag I figured it wouldn't matter.  Fit the base around the sides and use safety pins to hold in place and to ensure your sewing will be even.  Then just stitch the base on.  You can see mine below with the cool matching green thread.

Once done, place into your bag and check for fit.  My sides were about 2cm too long.  You could cut the excess off or you can fold over and hold in place.  I chose the latter.

You can also see the cunning method I used to hold the liner to the bag- eyelets.  Adding them is fairly simple.  You usually get a tool to hold the two parts together and you need a big hammer.  Going through multiple layers of felt can result in a poor fit of your eyelet (ask me how I know!)  so I suggest punching a hole through the felt if you have a hole punch.  I didn't have one so I will probably have to go back and redo a couple at some point *sigh*

When finished thread a cord through the eyelets.  I used satiny cord- little tip.  If using something like that the ends will LOVE to fray or unravel.  CAREFULLY IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA use a lighter to set the ends on fire.  The synthetic material will melt and hold the end together.  Be sure to let it cool before touching it (or letting it touch anything else).

That's pretty much it.  One Labyrinth bag, suitable for holding knitting project, lovely jewels, crystal balls, or supplies for 13 hours travelling through a Labyrinth.