Consider it Done! (for now...)

I've been wanting to make a Weekender bag for a while, and when a bunch of folks in the Boston MQG chimed up and said they wanted to make one too, we decided to do a sew-along.

I combined several techniques and made quilted panels. I used canvas, a layer of batting and fabric to make my panels.

I had heard heard dreadful things about installing the zipper, but found it rather simple, just time consuming. I couldn't find a non-separating zipper, so I found a larger separating zipper and just trimmed that down a bit. It worked well, but next time (if there is a next time), I'll order a non-separating zipper online somewhere.

The "toughest" part of the whole bag was assembling everything together. I didn't really think it was tough, just tedious because you really had to go slow with so much bulk. I think using the canvas really helped to make it easier instead of a whole bunch of interfacing. Someday I might make a bag with the interfacing this calls for, but I'm really happy with how the quilted version looks.

And this, my friends, is my "finished" bag. I put finished in quotes because this is how I plan to use it for the next month or so, until I can add the lining. I'm REALLY pleased with how it turned out. I will eventually add the lining though. Eventually...

**Note, I've closed comments on this particular post, as it seems to be attracting A LOT of spam.**

Lowell Quilt Festival Mini Quilt Challenge

For the mini quilt challenge this year, members had to make a mini quilt using an inspired color palette of gray, soft blue and a brick red-ish color.

This was the quilt I made.

Here are some of the other great quilts.

This was Karen's mini.

I *think* this one was Julie's. I had all of the names written down, but I can't find it anywhere, so I'm writing this post by memory. If I mislabel one of your quilts, please correct me.

Steph made this fun mini. I love this paper pieced pattern that she used.

Hema made this one, which I am guessing was inspired by Elizabeth Hartman's quilt.

Janis made this quilt and even included some of her own hand dyed fabrics.

Sam made this fun, improv quilt.

Zuzka hand pieced this mini quilt.

Alice found inspiration from bottle of Grey Goose (get it, flying geese) for her mini.

Check out those tiny triangles in Trish's awesome mini.

I love the random dresden petals in Natalie's mini.

I really like the way Alexis quilted her mini quilt featuring some great nine patches.

I don't know if I can pick a favorite, they're all awesome in their own right. Do you have a favorite?

Lowell Quilt Festival - BMQG Exhibit

Last weekend was the Lowell Quilt Festival where the Boston MQG had a fantastic exhibit once again this year.

The space is absolutely beautiful. It's an old, refurbished shoe mill in downtown Lowell.

This year I felt like we had quite a few more visitors than last year. (The two pictures above were taken when the exhibit was closed, so don't judge by that.)

I was born in Lowell and still have some family there, which meant I had quite a few visitors during my shift staffing.

The quilts in the show were, as expected, awesome!

This is Hema's Madrona Road challenge quilt.

My hexagon quilt is on the left and Karen's is on the right.

These mini quilts were by Sam, Hema and Janis

This is Andrea's beautiful quit with some amazing quilting by the talented Margaret.

Hema made this square quilt and did a great job quilting it.

Stephanie made this awesome quilt using Castle Peeps!

This HST quilt is Karen's precious fabric quilt.

Jane made this great quilt using Tula Pink's Salt Water.

Laurie finally finished this quilt in time to show it at the festival.

Hema's quilt is on the left and Alexis' quilt is on the right. I love how Alexis made the background scrappy in her quilt.

Sarah made this quilt using Architecture and some solids.

Julie made this quilt using a Denyse Schmidt pattern.

This quilt was made by Janis.

I love the colors in Rebecca's quilt.

Laurie made this quilt, which my dad kept saying reminded him of lady bugs.

Gretchen made this HST quilt using ombre fabric.

Natalie finally finished her single girl quilt, hand quilting the entire quilt. I've always wanted to make this pattern and Natalie's quilt certainly increases that desire. Someday...

Tina made this hexagon quilt. I loved seeing it progress from our time at QuiltCon where she first started it.

Zuzka made this awesom quilt in a bunch of Flea Market Fancy fabrics.

Natalie made this fun quilt for her mom, an avid reader.

Stephanie also made this fun quilt for her girls featuring their favorite book characters.

Sam also made this fun quilt.

Jane used comma to make this fun cross quilt.

Hema made this fun quilt and quilted it using a great wood grain pattern.

Lia made this quilt at retreat this year. I love the colors she used here.

It wouldn't be a BMQG show within a Ghastly quilt by Alice!

On the left is my Madrona Road challenge quilt - Wonky Road. The right is Alice's Madron Road challenge quilt.

Also on display was a selection of our Quilts for Boston quilts. A HUGE thank you to Alice for attaching hanging sleeves to these.

I'll post a separate blog post on the 12 fabulous challenge quilts soon.