WIP Wednesday

Whoa it's been forever since I did a WIP Weds post! I was just polishing up a blog post for later this week when I noticed Lee's post on my feed. So I guess I'll play along!

Here are my WIP's:

The Economy Block-along. This is actually already pieced into a quilt top but I'm unsure if the big border is too much for it.... we'll see.

Sabrina's Quilt (um... this kid is over a year old now...) I've got the backing and binding all prepped. I need to borrow a longarm. This quilt is supposed to be my longarm practice so I'm confident enough to do the detail work I want on MY quilt. :) 

Do you prep bindings all at once? I do if I have two quilt tops done at once! These bindings go to the two projects above.

And of course I need a new project! I just received this Jaybird Quilts pattern and ruler in the mail! The quilt finished so tiny that I can't wait to get started!!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you'll poke around if you're new. I have lots of finished quilts and a bunch of free tutorials. Oh - and a quilt tutorial coming later this week!! 

Whew! Now if only I could find some spare time to work on these WIPS. I'm so inspired to finish them now!!

WIP Wednesday

Oh no! It's been a long time since I looked at my WIP's. Truthfully life has had a way of taking up all my time recently. I hope that drama dies down around here soon. Until then I'll look at my pretty WIP's!

Let's see... I have a zillion halfway done tutorials and pellon projects to finish. For many of these projects the sewing part is done, but the editing / photo editing / writing isn't done. I need to get going on that stuff.

I'm making one of these cozies for my RATZ swap!

I have a swap deadline looming too - the RATZ May swap is winding down and I need to finish (start) my swap item. For May we're swapping coffee cozies, and I'm going to make a customized coffee cup cozy using this tutorial. Bad Swap Mama here... lol. It's not late yet, and it's a quick project so hopefully I can put it together soon!

Let's see... I have a couple secret projects to finish by early June. I also have a few samples to prepare for a later project. These are all fairly small and quick finishes... but gah! I have been less than inspired to finish them. Soon soon.

Finally I have the bit of improv piecing to finish into a mini quilt. Simple, fun, and free. This is the project I feel like working on - the one with no deadline. lol.

Finished: 

This past week I finished my Sew Sew Modern swap package, and I finished a pattern test for a friend!

I hadn't realized until now that most of my WIP's are things I can't share! Crazy!!

Linked up at Freshly Pieced!

WIP Wednesday

It's been a while since I did a WIP Wed update. Since the last one I have managed to finish two quilts and a mug rug. 

Finished this quilt last week! Tutorial for Pellon coming soon!

My major WIP's right now involve editing photos and tutorials, and working on blog layouts etc. I'm hoping to make a few changes to my blog here - and to work on picking up a couple new blog sponsors. I have big goals. 

Finished this one last week too - blogged about it here.

I also have a lot of formatting / organizing / etc going on. I have just taken on the role of co- technology communication officer for my local modern guild. We've grown a lot in the past year, and the Tech position is a new officer position, so we have a lot of coordinating and cross referencing to do (we use several social media outlets: blog, facebook, flickr, and bigtent). 

One of many projects that needs to be finished! I STILL haven't bought more Kona Coal! 

Aside from all of that boring computer stuff, I decided to clean up my sewing room last night -- which means I have all my unfinished projects right in front of me. So I'm going to spend the next month and a half finishing. If you'd like to join me feel free!! I'll be blogging about it a bit more specifically soon - but as for now I want to challenge myself to finish several projects by the end of May. 

Linked up with WIP Weds.

WIP Wednesday!

These geese are destined for a doll quilt... the finished block will be 8" Each triangle is about 1" wide!
It's stalled because I ran our of Kona Coal for the outside parts... lol. The dots are too busy!

This week I have finally returned to my normal sewing schedule! It's awesome to have the time and energy to sew!

I managed to finish this cutie little doll quilt, and another teeny baby quilt.

Tiny baby quilt for a friend - will be revealed soon.

Last night I also finished a sweet bunting for my friend's daughter. Totally cute, but I didn't take pics. 

New projects to start soon:

• Duffel bag for the Sew Sew Modern swap -- I'll be using this pattern, but altering it so that it's fully lined (no raw edges here!) 
• Mini quilts! More Minis!
• Elaine's birthday present -- we're doing an EEE birthday swap - and Elaine's birthday is first!
• Two flannel receiving blankets. (thanks God for this list or I would have forgotten about those!) Need to buy some flannel!

Aeroplane Bag pattern by Sara Lawson

I'm adding one more to this super long list - a bag for my sewing machine (not the Juki) to carry it to guild sew-ins. Yes, I'm talking about the awesome Aeroplane bag! I saw Sara's last week and I really can't resist any longer. I just got my pattern and I've picked out the outside fabrics (still undecided about the handles and lining). 

Projects that haven't been worked on in forever:

• Bubble quilt
• {Modern} Robin - no progress - I'm longing to long arm this one (myself)... it's going to be seriously intense quilting.
• Roseann's quilt
• Sabrina's quilt
• Harry Potter Patronus mini

Linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

WIP Wednesday

Does anyone else feel like they can't get a moment to sew? Ever since QuiltCon I've been trying to get things back to the normal flow. 

I had the afternoon free on friday to work on some projects, it seems like that's about the only time last week that I got to work on anything! At least I was able to accomplish a lot Friday! 

I am nearly finished with this teeny precious baby quilt. It is really teeny with 3" nine patch units. 

I also finished a quit top that's been lingering in my unfinished projects pile. This one is destined to be a Pellon project download. It's going to be totally cute and I don't have a recipient in mind for it. I think I'll just keep it. I call it the Chloe Bubble Quilt.

The pieces of the Chloe Bubble Quilt.

Otherwise I have a lot of random projects that have been neglected and/or need to be started! 

New projects to start soon:

• Duffel bag for the Sew Sew Modern swap -- I'll be using this pattern, but altering it so that it's fully lined (no raw edges here!) My fabric just arrived last week, but it is unexpectedly light... so I'll need to find a darker color for the bottom of the bag....
• Mini quilts! I want to make minis!
• Elaine's birthday present -- we're doing an EEE birthday swap - and Elaine's birthday is first!
• Bunting for Lucy - I need two more purple fabrics for this! 
• Two flannel receiving blankets.

Projects that haven't been worked on in forever:

• {Modern} Robin - no progress - I'm longing to long arm this one (myself)... it's going to be seriously intense quilting.
• Roseann's quilt
• Sabrina's quilt
• Harry Potter Patronus mini

String quilt circa 2010... eek that was a couple years ago!

OOOH I need to baste my super old purple string quilt this week - it's going to be donated to our guild's quilt drive for Project Night Night!

WIP Wednesday!

Weekender finished!! (full reveal soon!)

Doll Quit Swap 13 Finished! (should be arriving today!!)

Doll Quilt Swap 13  - before quilting. 

Recently added to the to-do list:

• Bunting for Lucy (commissioned by my awesome college friend Theresa - who thought to ask before buying one on etsy). Theresa has impeccable taste too - She picked an example that was Joel Dewberry Heirloom (pinks and purples)... I'm going to shop for some FQ's at Quiltcon for this.
• Two flannel blankies for Chloe and her new friend (Commissioned by my cousin for her daughter and friend's son). We're looking for one with owls and one with trucks.
• Two (maybe three) awesome projects to finish up for Pellon. I'm ready for the good lighting that spring will bring!

Still on the list / no change:

{Modern} Robin (Emily L's quilt, picture taken by Emily B)

• {Modern} Robin - no progress. 
• Bubble Quilt - no progress.
• Sabrina's Quilt - no progress.
• Harry Potter Patronus/Dementor Mini - no progress.

I'm hoping to tackle the little projects right away when I get back next week, then on to the planning of my {Modern} Robin... FMQ class with Angela Walters might inspire some cool quilting for it. 

***

Finally - stop by tomorrow for another Sew Thinky Thursday - it's an easy one this time (with so many going to quiltcon). Here's the question: 

What is one regular thing you do for yourself to keep up your creative mind? Do you go to a guild, out for coffee with a friend? Are there people / activities you do regularly or as needed? 

Stop by tomorrow to link up your post!

Linked up with WIP Wednesday!

WIP Wednesday!

Anna Maria Horner box pouch for Shruti

One finish this week - finished finished! A little gift has made it all the way to it's proper destination - So I can finally share finished pics of the pouch for Shruti! Read all about it here (my version), and here (her version). 

When it comes to my other projects I feel like I'm treading water - I know I'm making progress on these projects, but it seems like they're dragging! 

Current WIP's:

QAYG Weekender in progress.

Weekender - I'm so close. I have started sewing the outer pieces together. It's going ok except I broke the only size 100 needle I had... and then I tried continuing with a size 80 needle. Nope. lol. I picked up a pack of Jeans needles (size 130 I think?) yesterday, so I shouldn't have any problems with those. 

Doll Quilt Swap 13 - no progress since last week. I really need to get piecing a couple more stars so I can put it all together! This one needs to be mailed in a week! 

Michelle's Quilt - It's basted and ready. Now I need to pick up some thread and quilt it up! Michelle is in town visiting this week so it would be great to get it finished so she could take it home!

All other projects - no progress! 

But... I did order some new zippers from Zipit on etsy. So pouches again soon! :) hehe.

Linked up with WIP Wednesday!

WIP Wednesday

Doll Quilt Swap 13 Progress!

Unfortunately it hasn't been as productive of a week as I'd like. We had some issues with our furnace last weekend which left me hiding under quilts rather than piecing them! Thankfully that's all fixed now, so I see some real progress soon! 

This week I've made a little more progress on my weekender - I just have two more outer pieces to piece/quilt. I'm ready to get this one together!

Florida star - minus the HST's on the corners. Pattern found here (and reduced 50%)

I've also made some progress on my Doll Quilt Swap quilt. I've pieced another block and a half. I'm really having fun with the paper piecing. I'm thinking maybe one more intricate paper pieced block, or maybe a mini swoon block? We'll see. I'm really sad that my EPP block is missing (along with my hand sewing kit eek!). So that one may not be included unless it turns up soon!

I did start and finish my Modern Quilt Guild Madrona Road challenge quilt. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and It'll look nice on my sewing room wall. :) You can read the whole story here.

The biggest thing being checked off my list this week  - prepping for my first week of my new linky party! 

I'm starting a linky party titled "Sew Thinky Thursday." My goal is to get the blogging community thinking and talking. Each Thursday I'll post a conversation topic related to sewing. These are all things that I'd love to chat forever about, but it would likely bore my husband to death if I did. So instead I'll chat with you guys! Here's how it'll work:

I'll post the question a week in advance, and you can then blog your response anytime throughout that week. Stop by my blog every Thursday to join the linky and to read the responses of everyone else. 

This week's question (linking up tomorrow!) is: 

When did you start sewing? Tell us a bit about your sewing history. When did you realize you were really hooked? 

So go ahead and think about it - and stop by to link up tomorrow!

Finally the sad list of things I haven't worked on at all this week:

1. Michelle's Quilt - no progress, but the batting arrived this morning. So quilting soon! (still waiting for the thread!)
2. {Modern} Robin - no progress. 
3. Bubble Quilt - no progress.
4. Sabrina's Quilt - no progress.
5. Harry Potter Patronus/Dementor Mini - no progress.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday. 

WIP Wednesday - The Weekender Update!

(haha does it show what sort of week I've had already, that it's only Monday and I'm screwing up my days? I thought I was posting a little early - on Tuesday night... nope.)

Amy Butler Weekender QAYG Detail

I've been plugging away at piecing and quilting the outside panels of my Amy Butler Weekender. So far the Quilt As You Go (QAYG) method of piecing and quilting is going nicely but slowly. I am considering piecing the final two panels (the ones behind the big outside pockets), then quilting each side down as one piece.

Large front pockets and small side pockets.

I have all the outside pockets pieced and quilted, and one of the top pieces quilted. I also have the handles and the piping prepared. I'm really loving the way it's looking so far. The colors are really fun.

Wonky star in AMH Bohemian!

I'm a little nervous about assembling this bag, but I think it'll be ok. I'm sure I'll get frustrated at points. lol. Right now I'm really excited to start assembling it all!

4" sawtooth star & 3.5" zig zag

I've also made a little bit of progress on my Doll Quilt Swap quilt. I pieced a tiny sawtooth star (4" finished), and a strip of HST zig zags. These will be only a couple of the elements of this quilt. I need to get piecing! I'm planning on some micro paper piecing too! I hope my partner loves it as much as I do!

I haven't worked on much else this week. So here's the list of no progress:

1. Michelle's Quilt - no progress, but the batting arrived this morning. So quilting soon! (still waiting for the thread!)
2. {Modern} Robin - no progress. 
3. Bubble Quilt - no progress.
4. Sabrina's Quilt - no progress.
5. Harry Potter Patronus/Dementor Mini - no progress.

By the way, if you missed it last week - here's my BIG finish. My Bella Quilt is finished, blogged, and delivered to it's new owner! It's by far my favorite quilt I've ever made! 

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday and WIP Wednesday.

WIP Wednesday - and some additional short term goals.

Before I get into my WIP list, I'm going to post some short term goals for myself as a way to keep myself on track and accountable.

Goals for the next week or two:

1. This week I want to send out some emails regarding sponsorship for my blog. It's been a couple months since I've done this. (If you have any suggestions of shops who might be willing to sponsor me that'd be great!). It takes a lot for me to put myself out there like this - for every yes there are ton of no's. It will be worth it though. My goal is to spend less out of pocket on the zillion quilts and projects that I make. Will work for fabric.
   
2. I need to make some solid progress on my Doll Quilt Swap project. I've got so many great ideas that I just can't leave until the last minute. I'd love to have this quilt finished by QuiltCon.
   
3. I want to baste Michelle's Quilt. I'm guessing there will be points while I'm working on my Weekender that I'll need a break - that's when I'll quilt this one. :) Michelle visits in a couple weeks and it'd be amazing to have it all quilted up and ready for her to snuggle with!

The WIP list:

Bella Quilt Finished!

Finished:

1. Bella Quilt AKA Aunt Kathy's Quilt!!!! IT's FINISHED!!!!!!! I got it done just in time to deliver it to her in person! I'll be writing a full post on this soon. I need to let it marinate in my head first so that I can do it justice. This was the most complex and amazing quilt I've ever made.
   
2. The Yellow Quilt. Somehow just writing it down on that list last week made me drag out the binding fabric and put it together! It's done, finished, and awesomely soft. Again, I'll be blogging about this one soon. 

Some Progress:

Fabrics for my Amy Butler Weekender

1. Weekender - I've cut the duck cloth, batting, and the lining. Tonight I finished the straps and made the piping. So far easy peasy. Really. I'm sure the hard part will be assembling all the thick pieces!
   
2. DQS13 - Doll Quilt Swap. I've made a decision about the English paper pieced block, and I started on the HST zig zag that will run through the quilt. The HST's are all finished so I just need to sew them together to make the zig zag. 

No progress:

1. Michelle's Quilt - no progress, but the batting arrived this morning. So quilting soon! (still waiting for the thread!)
2. {Modern} Robin - no progress. 
3. Bubble Quilt - no progress.
4. Sabrina's Quilt - no progress.
5. Harry Potter Patronus/Dementor Mini - no progress.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday!

WIP Wednesday - the one where I'm truthful with myself.

Quilts in progress:

Michelle's Quilt

(1) Michelle's Quilt (finished around 65" square)

The top and back are both pieced. The binding is cut and prepared too. I'm waiting for Michelle to send the batting and Aurifil tread along. I'm planning on quilting this one with large strings of words, hearts, and stipples.

{Modern} Robin quilt top.

(2) {Modern} Robin Quilt (finished size 65" x 88")
The top is finished; I need to buy batting, and piece the back. I finally purchased the last bit of backing fabric, which arrived yesterday. I plan to quilt this fabulously... considering some long arm work if I can manage that.

(3) Roseann's "Tiny Scrappy Fun" (finished around 65" x 88)

The main panel of patchwork is finished. I need to buy fabric for the last wide border, fabric for the backing, and batting.

(4) Bubble Quilt (finished around 48" x 52")

This will (maybe) be a Pellon project, it matches the pillow I made for my first Pellon project. I have the piecing done, but need to finish putting it all together to finish the quilt top. I don't have fabric for the backing, or batting. I intend to quilt this with straight lines.

(5) Sabrina's Quilt (finished around 48" x 53")

The strip of patchwork is finished, but I need to order some Charcoal for the sashing. I also need batting and backing fabric. I'm intending to test out my friend Marla's long arm on this quilt - doing some echo work and fun free motion stuff.

(6) Bella Quilt - Secret! (finished around 70" x 88")

I'm so close to finishing this one! I quilted it last night, and the binding is already cut and prepared. I just need to square it up tonight and attach the binding! Whew - the most technically challenging quilt I've ever made!

Doll Quilt Swap 13

(7) DQS 13 - Doll Quilt Swap 13
I need to get my butt into gear on this one. It needs to be mailed out by mid February and I've barely started on my crazy piecing plans! At least I have an idea sketch and fabrics pulled.

(8) Ahem... The Yellow Quilt
LOL... yes, that quilt, you know the one. My kid took it and has used it off and on for MONTHS - without binding. I haven't even cut the binding. It needs to be washed and I can't do so until I bind it. Oops.


Small projects:
(1) Patchwork Amy Butler Weekender!
Yes I am going to drink the kool-aid and make one of these. QuiltCon is as good of excuse as any to make myself a fabulous bag! I have my fabrics picked out, and most of the supplies gathered. I'm itching to get started, which is good since QuiltCon is coming up quickly!

(2) Coffee Cozies
I need to sew buttons on these guys before this weekend's family gathering.

Harry Potter Quilt

(3) Harry Potter Dementor / Patronus Mini Quilt.
Yeah, this was one of those "I can start and finish it today" projects... It has been neglected due to my tight timeline for the Bella Quilt. Further distraction, I just managed to wander upon the Harry Potter Wikipedia page.

Small projects finished but need to be mailed:

Shruti's gift.

(1)Shruti's gift - Happy Birthday!! :)
This one has been a long time coming, I made it months ago when she re-did my blog layout for me... but I keep getting stuck because I'd like to send some extras. I mean it's not often that I mail things to India, so I think I should send some goodies. I have a couple in mind now (Kraft Mac N Cheese!) so this should be out the door shortly.

(2) EEE Swap stuff.
We've decided to push off our swap date to when we see each other at QuiltCon. I'm finished with my stuff... but wrapped up Elaine's gift before taking proper pics of it... so I guess I should unwrap and photograph. I'm excited about these gifts - they were really fun to make, and I really enjoyed the challenge of chosing fabrics / designs specific for two of my closest sewing friends!

I'm linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Little Gifts...

Pouches for gifts!! Only one of these will live with me.

As a quilter do you find yourself making little gifts for everyone around Christmas time? I always do. It's not something I mind though. I keep an open mind about gift giving - and 90% of my gift giving is handmade. I don't make myself feel like everyone has to receive equal amounts etc every time. Handmade doesn't really work that way. I make what I love to make, so if I know someone in my family who adores whatever it is that I want to make - they may get more. Another thing to weigh when it comes to these things, is that I consider the gift of a quilt to be a gift good for several holidays - you know what I mean, a quilt is a BIG gift of time and artistic energy - not the same as giving a simple zip pouch. :)

WIP - Bella Quilt - Hopefully done by Christmas? 

Some gifts are made specifically with the recipient in mind (color, style, etc), others are made with a use in mind (pouches and pillow cases). So there usually comes a point in the season when I make the list of who gets what. It was pretty exciting this year when I made my list only to find that I had very few Christmas presents left to make! The pouch hop challenge helped a lot!

Mug rugs! Gifts for my MIL's co-workers!

Here's a glimpse into the projects for my family this year: tons of pouches, pillow cases, super hero capes (yet to be made), and hopefully one finished quilt! 

Pillow cases for Christmas!

I'm feeling really excited about giving the pouches. At Thanksgiving time my mom, aunt, sister, and cousins were chatting about different types of zip pouches - it turns out that there has been a bit of jealousy going around -- my sister gets a lot of zip pouches because she buys me zippers in bulk (and constantly uses her 10 million pouches!) With that in mind, I know that the pouches I've made will be well received.

Linking up with WIP Weds over at Freshly Pieced.

Playing with some new Pellon!

You might know that I really love adding words to my projects... (heck I have a whole pinterest board for it!) but I'm not very good at hand embroidering words. Much more is the fact that I don't enjoy it nearly as much as every other aspect of quilting. I've always been wanting a way to add these touches to my quilts without spending the time and annoyance to hand stitch them. 

Recently my way of doing this is to free motion quilt them into the finished quilt. I'll add a name here or a word or two there. It's a battle to get neat and precise words when you're FMQing a large quilt. I've been doing quilt labels like the one below - by making a whole quilt sandwich and then trimming it down and stitching it to the finished quilt. It's not as neat and tidy as I'd like. 

A few months ago Erin sent me some samples of this Fuse-N-Tear 371R. It worked exactly as I had hoped! 

Check out how fabulous my words are!!

Those pink lines are about 1/4" apart. Yes, I had to test it in tiny. This method works just perfectly with 1/4" cursive letters! 

So what should I make with these? I think the books one will probably become a journal cover (using those two awesome book fabrics from connecting threads. The pink one will definitely be a pouch. Help me plan my Happy Little Pouch Hop pouches! What shape? What fabrics? What kind of details?

(linked up to WIP Weds)

WIP Weds!

I've been working away here!

This is what's on my sewing table today/this week:

Finishing two projects for the Emily Emily & Elaine swap (EEE!) I'm really excited about these secret projects!

I'm working on DQS13!! Signups just opened!!! Tell your friends!

I quilted 12 mug rugs yesterday - and now I need to bind them! :) These are a commissioned project and they're a lot of fun!

Working on Sabrina's quilt - although I need to find some kona charcoal to finish the top!

Planning pouches - Happy Little Pouch Hop is going to be Amazing!

Adding things to my "I want this for christmas" pinterest board.

Finished:
Lindsey's quilt - it just needs to be washed!

No progress:
Everything else.

WIP Weds!

Finished!

October bee block! I made these feathers for Katie. They're made using AMH's pattern on her blog. I'm in love with these feathers!

I also made a TEENY pouch - and wrote up a tutorial for it for HLPH after Thanksgiving! 

Currently working on:

EEE swap! (a side swap between myself, Emily, and Elaine)... I'm making them both a really awesome something (it's a secret!), and they're almost finished!! I love both things very much, and want to keep them for myself. It's ok though because I'm pretty sure they'll both love them!

Doing some prep work for the Happy Little Pouch Hop, and for Doll Quilt Swap - which will be starting up SOON!

Lindsey's quilt!

Working on later this week:

Lindsey's Quilt! - I've made no progress on this... it's sitting basted and ready to be quilted.... 

Some progress made:

Bella Quilt - I added a (very simple) border to it - it's getting bigger! Just a couple more rounds to go!

Michelle's Celebration Quilt - prepped binding and I'm working out what color solid to add to the border.

No progress made:

{modern} Robin - quilt top finished, need a bit more fabric for the backing.

This will become a baby quilt soon!

New projects:

Building upon these three blocks - to make a baby quilt for Lindsey's baby!!! Yep, she had her -still to be named- baby today on Halloween! IT's a girl which means I get to sew with some pretty flowers and washi! :)

I"m linking up to WIP Weds! :) 

WIP Wednesday!

{Modern} Robin - Quilt top finished!

The biggest progresses I've made this week have been behind the scenes kinds of things. I've been working to secure a blog sponsor or two, I've been planning and scheduling for the "Know Thy Machine" blog hop that started this week, following along with the Cathedral Windows QAL & the Tula Pink sew along, but the biggest thing this week???? 

It's the Happy Little Pouch Hop - blog hop that Elaine and I are organizing!! 

This past week has been the time where this blog hop went from being just an idea to being an actual event! :) For the Happy Little Pouch Hop we'll have several guest bloggers to share their pretty pouches, new tutorials, and reviews of some favorite pouch patterns and tutorials! There will be prizes and we want you all to join in with the pouch making fun!! Check out this post for more details! I hope you're ready to make some pouches!!!

But for right now, here are those WIP's listed out! :)

In progress:

Quilt tops finished- {Modern}Robin

To be quilted - Lindsey's quilt... it's basted and everything (the binding is even prepped!)

No progress -

Bella quilt

Michelle's quilt

Roseann's quilt

Mom's bow clutch

13 Mug rugs

Half finished Mors bag for CMQG 

... a zillion other things. 

And of course I'm linking up to WIP Weds!

Dumpling Pouch - Some Tiny Sewing To Fill The Gaps

Last weekend we were out of town, and it always seems like I go through such withdrawal from my sewing machine while I'm away. It may be that I spend so much time before the trip packing and planning that I don't get to sew - then can't sew while I'm away. Maybe it's that when I'm out and about with friends and family I'm just more inspired - and thus want to interpret that inspiration into quilts? 

Whatever reason, I find myself working on tiny, quick finishes the week before a planned trip. This time it was this cute tiny dumpling zip pouch. 

I'd had my eye on the tutorial for quite some time - it's been there on my pinterest board waiting (yes, I do have a pinterest board dedicated to zip pouch eye candy!). Thursday night, while I should have been packing, I sewed this little guy (I made the smaller/harder version it measures about 4" x 2.5" x 3"). 

The tutorial was very straight forward and I didn't have any problems with it. I used one layer of fusible fleece inside of mine. It's nice and sturdy without being stiff. A touch of hand stitching really makes it shine!

Here are a tip in case you make one yourself - baste the zip to one layer of fabric first - using a smaller seam allowance. This keeps the wiggling to a minimum when sewing it in, as the curve is a little tricky.

I'll leave you with a question: What should I put in it?? It's been riding around in my purse all weekend without anything inside!