Thomas The Train Quilted "Big Boy" Tote

My grandson turned three this past weekend and I just had to make him something. As a quilter and seamstress, I can't seem to pass up an opportunity to make a handmade gift for my loved ones. But, I do try to make sure its something they can use.

Recently I bought 2 yards of Thomas the Train Fabric on clearance for $2.50 per yard. I decided my grandson already has enough quilts made by Grandma,for the time being. But, what could he really use? Well, any toddler just beginning preschool needs a bag to "tote" his blanket and pillow and big boy underwear around in. No more diaper bags, this is a BIG BOY BAG!



If you would like to make a bag like this, my "Reusable Grocery Bag" tutorial might be helpful. It can be found on my other blog, Homemaking Dreams. The only change is that I quilted the outside panels before putting it together.



I meander quilted the outer panels like this.



This is what the outer sides look like after being quilted and trimmed.



I used a heavy fabric for the backing of the quilt sandwiches and for the inside of the handles. My sewing machine could just barely go over the seams when sewing the top together. For my next quilted tote I will use a regular weight fabric for the quilt sandwich. But, I think this bag will hold up well to whatever my little preschooler puts it through!

Free Motion Quilt Along and Give Away

I am excited to be participating in a quilt along that concentrates on the quilting part! As Christina said in her blog post HERE, most quilt alongs work on the quilt top with just a little bit of information about the quilting of the quilt.

And don't you hate those quilt patterns that say, "Quilt as Desired" at the end and that's it? I do. There's more to making a quilt than just making the quilt top.

Christina is also doing a great give away for free motion quilters that I would love to win!

My Summer of 2010 Nine Patch Challenge Quilt Top

Let me just say one thing. I may have worked on these 9 patches most of the summer, but the real work was in doing the borders and sashings! I hope to show the completed quilt after quilting it and binding it soon.

I am completely enamoured with Nine Patch Quilts now that I have completed this quilt top and am planning two more already!

For the directions for making this quilt see CRAZY MOM QUILTS HERE.

Sneak Peak - Summer Nine Patch Challenge

Sewing one block, or more, a day is a great way to get some quiltmaking accomplished! Several times I got behind, but it was easy to catch up. I think I will use this method in the future. Doing a small amount each day really does add up!

Quick Quilts

The one quilting magazine that I allow myself to subscribe to is McCall's Quick Quilts. There are so many quilting magazines to choose from, but the name of this one says it all for me. What kind of quilting magazine to any of you subscribe to?

In the center of each Quick Quilts issue is a page that showcases quilts made by readers using patterns from the magazine. I decided to enter this picture of the quilt I made using a Quick Quilts pattern called "Cozy Cabins". I named my pink and brown version "Early Autumn". If a person's picture is used in the magazine, you win a free quilt batting and 2 issues of the magazine issue the picture appears in. I'll let you know if my picture makes it into the magazine.



I'll let you in on a secret! THIS QUILT WAS NOT QUICK!!! And besides that I am a Slow Poke Quilter. I've decided to enjoy the process and not put myself under so much pressure to finish a zillion quilts per year. I might as well give into this, because it ain't happening anyway!

In this one I was trying to hide behind the quilt.



I also enjoy the books called "Weekend Quilts". Another secret, there's no such thing as a weekend quilt. Maybe a quilt top, but not the whole shabang!