The Unveiling of my Christmas Gift Project!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Day. Now, I know that many of you won't even see this post until tomorrow or the next day, but that's okay. :) 

Some time ago I showed you some fabric and told you I was going to make something with it. Since then I've been back and forth to the local quilt shop and made quite a few of these little Christmas gifts for my daughter-in-laws and my granddaughters.

Now maybe I'll have time to make one for myself, because I do love these. 

I found the pattern on the Internet and bought the pattern, but soon realized it was lacking in clear instruction and photos. Luckily I came across a tutorial by Heather at "The Quilt Barn." 

Although I used the supply list from the pattern, I actually followed along at the Quilt Barn to make these. It was sooo easy to follow. Really awesome job of the tutorial. Thank you to Heather.

Also, if you need zippers, I bought some of mine at Zipit, and the rest I bought locally. I paid a bit more for the local zippers, but it was a time crunch situation. 

So, here are my Sew Together Bags. I love this crazy pattern. It reflects a few of my DIL's ~ fun loving, sunshiny, happy and beautiful. These girls are always making things happen.

The granddaughter's pouches were also done in this fabric. It's just fun-loving, sweet and cute like them.

Below are the 3 inside zippered pockets open and showing the colorful insides. The lining is a beautiful blue and makes up the additional 4 open pockets. 

The main zipper wraps around the bag and attaches to both the side bottoms creating handles.

I think the reason these are so popular right now is because of the ample room to hold your items. They're about 9 inches long and about 5 or 6 inches wide when completed. They can be used for make up or toiletries, crocheting supplies, sewing supplies, or anything really. So versatile!!

A close up of the random quilting and my little tag. I had 3 different tags. It's So You!, Lovables! and My Lovelies!

Here's another using the same fabrics......I only have the inside pictured.

The lighting was so bad. I was trying to get natural lighting, but it just wasn't a great day and now they're wrapped, so this is the only photo I have of the pockets open. Sorry for the poor quality.

Aaand another. I forgot to get a photo of the insides of this one. In fact, in this photo the sides aren't even done yet either. I don't know if I'm crazy about the red binding in the photo, but it's darker in real life, and there's quite a lot more shiny on there than you can see in the photo. It's quite pretty.

I actually made 4 similar ones using the fabrics above. Here is the inside of another one in progress. It is the lining and the zipper pockets laid out on my ironing board. That one used different colors for each lining piece and each pocket. Very colorful.

Here's another set of fabrics I've used. Note the different tag. Now this one is for another DIL. She is beautiful, kind, fun, sweet and a busy mom of 5. So it's a little more serious, but still fun. :)

My third trip to the quilting shop brought back some greys (note the third tag). One of my DIL's loves greys, blacks, earth tones and whites. She's beautiful, sweet with a touch of serious, and has great style. She is our female Model/McGyver and nobody's sidekick, I'm told. Lol....yes, this bag suits her perfectly.

Here are the three zippered pockets and the 4 unzipped pockets.

Here are the zippered pockets opened, showing the colorful insides. 

I wouldn't recommend this pattern for a beginner sewer. I have sewn professionally, and although it wasn't difficult for me, there were definitely some moments.

You will end up having a little cry. 

I broke 4 needles while making these pouches. I finally pulled out my denim needles (Yes, it actually took 4 broken needles for me to clue in...sigh). Though you're using cotton, you're going through several layers of cotton, interfacing and sometimes quilt batting as well. In spite of that, it was so worth it and I do recommend you check out the Quilt Barn and then decide if you want to buy the pattern. 

It's easy to mess up on these, so don't try to make them when you have about 2 weeks before Christmas with 6 of these to make and way too much else to do (these things take time.,,lol).

Like I did.

Let's just say the seam ripper and I have become very good friends. 

It's a love hate relationship.

Anyway, I'm glad they're done, and since I'm writing this post up ahead of time, I have no idea if the girls liked them yet. Let's hope so!  I put a few little things in the pockets as well.  Just for fun.

You have probably realized how blessed I am, and there's no denying it. I have the most awesome DIL's in the world and the sweetest granddaughters and let's not forget my awesome grandsons. My boys are pretty great too, as is my husband.

Yes, I'm blessed indeed

Have a Happy Happy Christmas!! 

Blessings, 

Carmen