Jimmie's Quilting Adventures: would have been cheaper to buy one but not as much fun

Finished Rachel's quilt - got it delivered a few days after Christmas. The binding is done in white on black polka dots

The label - yes - I know the letters are not the same size - another reason I hate math but hey - you can see the nice binding.

What would have been cheaper to buy you ask.....

My new purse - bought this pattern when Janice and I went to Scarlet Thread because I like cross body bags - needless to say, it turned out NOTHING like the picture - who knows what happened - I followed the destructions...

I added brown braiding - it turned out quite nice and the colors matched perfectly and I have a custom made bag.

My bag..

The pattern... it was fun to make but instead of making me sew like a designer....Nancy made me eat chocolate and talk sailor speak...

Braiding after I basted it on

I knew there was a presser foot that would allow me to get up to the edge - all I had to do was open the magic box...you know, the one labeled - JANOME PARTS...

I turned the edge under first - note the right side is done already. I used brown rayon embroidery thread which is a nice contrast

Lining - I have two pieces of this paisley - one that is paisley all over and one sewn in rows - I love paisley, I love blue and I LOVE blue and brown together so this was just perfect.

hmmm - too long - 42 inches...

I did what any good sew-er (not sewer...) would do - I cut it in half with the full intention of making some with the extra - I'm not saying how many inches extra but in a man's world it would be around 6

Helps me figure out math problems

Putting in the magnetic closures - why do I have my arm stuck in it like that you ask...look at the bottom - I put the "top" one in first and squeezed it shut with pliers so I had to "go around" it to get to the bottom.

this is it, lining on the top - purse body on the bottom

I could not let all of my hard work go to waste so as I stood there deliberating on what to do, it hit me, just fold the bag up 3/4 of the way, sew down the sides, add another set of magnetic closures and wa la - a nice big outside pocket.

It came out really nice. This photo is a little blurry but is shows the size. Pefect cross body - next time - if there is one - I will put in an adjustable strap.

Becca Boo made this for me in 1995!! Happier Days. I sure miss that girl.

Injury Report for this project - No animals were hurt but I jabbed the seam ripper into the palm of my hand. I guess writing SHARP on it with with a red Sharpie (HA HA) did not deter me. The dumbest thing that happened was I ironed my thumb knuckle...