teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Monday 22 May 2017

A Matching Game and Carry Case

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Over the last two months, I've hardly sat at the sewing machine. One thing I have done, though, is to finally finish one of my WIPs.

My Grandson, Oli, came to stay for the first time at the beginning of April, and two projects that I have on the go for him weren't finished in time for me to give to him during his stay. It's certainly time to put that right before he's too old to use them!

A MATCHING GAME + CARRY CASE

I bought the fabric for this first project when I visited Phoenix, AZ, in 2014; before Oli was even born, I shared my trip in this blog post.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I intended to make an alphabet book with the letters - in fact, I bought 3 complete sets of the alphabet so I could make 3 books, one for Oli and two to sell, but when I set about making the books
 in 2015 I changed my mind and decided to use the 3 alphabet sets to make a matching game and carry case.

This is a pic I took as I started making the alphabet set - piles of letters, backing fabric and batting.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

To make the matching game mat, I used my No Bind Quilt Tute - this was the first tute I ever wrote for my blog five years ago, and the matching cards are made using my Fabric Coasters Tute.

 

With those completed, I set about making the carry case using ByAnnie's Soft and Stable.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I made front and back panels featuring Oli's name and his Dad's, my son Jack's initials, JAK.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

What a horror story; my Bernina 440QE kept skipping stitches (something it had never done before). It was my first time using Soft and Stable, and I tried every combination of tension, foot pressure, etc but couldn't get it to stop, and I really wasn't happy with the skipped stitches. Feeling pretty fed up with it, I set the project aside.

As 2016 came around, I thought about the project again and given that I'd bought a Juki TL2010 since my last attempt at sewing the case, I thought I'd give it a go-to see it would be happier stitching through Soft and Stable. The answer is 'yes'. So I progressed to finishing attaching fabric to both sides of the front and back and making the sides. Then I got distracted again.

I bought my Juki machines online from SewVacDirect via Amazon (affiliate links).

   

So now it's April 2017, and, as I mentioned at the start of this saga, my grandson, Oli, came to stay with me, and this is him in Times Square with Mum and Dad.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

When they left, I knew I had to get cracking and finish this project once and for all.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

These are the zippers I always use (affiliate link).



Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I added handles and serged the sides to the front and back panels.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I used Ed Emberley Picture Pie Alphabet fabric from Cloud9 Fabrics for one inside panel,

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

and I used more alphabet letters to spell out Pet Fun for the second inside panel.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

I don't think it took me an hour to get it finished - what on earth had I been waiting for!!!

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Once it was finished, I went a bit overboard in taking pics.
Can you believe this is the edited down collection?

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.comMatching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

And there are even more!!!

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com
Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.comMatching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Then I took it to our May 'Show + Tell' at the NYC Metro Modern Quilters Guild, and I don't think I've ever been so delighted to be able to show something off; just look at my face.

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.comMatching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

Super thrilled to have this ready to give to Oli; I'm not going to mail it to him, I'm seeing his Dad in a few weeks at my daughter Flicky's graduation ceremony in St Andrew's, Scotland, so I'll hand it over then.

I've been working on this matching game and carry case project for almost 3 years; it's been never-ending - you probably feel the same way reading this long post!!! Crazy to think in the end, it really only took a couple of days' work.
  
What projects are you procrastinating over? Have you used Soft and Stable? How did you find working with it?  
Share your stories in the comments; we all love to hear them.

A MATCHING GAME + CARRY CASE

Matching Game + Carry Case by www.madebyChrissieD.com

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25 comments:

  1. What a great use of that brilliant fabric Chris. I have never used Soft n Stable, but have often thought of getting some and giving it a go, now I am not so sure. Congratulations to Flicky on her graduation, have a lovely time in St. Andrews too.

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  2. Welcome back! I love the game! Didn't Flicky just start college yesterday? Do tell more about the Soft & Stable. What would you compare it to? I have bag patterns that call for this, but some samples look "lumpy". What do you think causes that, and what are the alternatives?

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  3. What a great idea, so glad you were able to finish it up!

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  4. Well to be honest I've been procrastinating over finishing up the 2016 taxes! Finally just now getting everything in order. Thank goodness for extensions! On the quilting arena I'm determined to put the binding on several quilts I finished up last year so I can finally give them away. I had only been doing machine binding before as that is what the charities wanted, but since these will be gifts I want to do the hand stitching for the finishing.

    I only knew about your daughter - hard to believe she will be graduating now. How wonderful that you also have a son with such a nice looking family. Hope your mother is doing well, it was fun to read about the typing fabric gift you made for her.

    Thank you so much for sharing. This is a fun idea - someday I hope to have a reason to make something like this myself!

    Best,
    June

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  5. What a great idea - love everything about it and ALL the photo's haha - looking forward to seeing MORE photo's of Oli playing with it :) Well done to Flicky on her graduation :)

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  6. Love everything about this, just as precious as a quilt!

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  7. What a lovely project and a precious one too.

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  8. Wonderful backstory and creative use of the alphabet blocks. Loved it!
    The image of Oli and his parents in Times Square is priceless ~
    Popped by from FIUF
    http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  9. Where or where can I find the pattern for the "briefcase". I have "googled" my heart out to no avail. can find nothing like it with the gusset/zipper. As always = you add a "to-do" to my list - I have to live to 100 - alive and alert - to complete.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mary, I'm afraid I don't know where you can get a similar pattern - I made this up as I went along. You're not the only person to contact me about it! It makes sense for me to write it as a pattern but I'm in the process of moving house so it won't be anytime soon I'm afraid. If you'd like to stay in the loop, following my blog and/or signing up for my newsletter is the best way to hear about tutes and patterns first. Sorry I can't help straight away but I really appreciate the feedback from you and everyone on how much you love the bag - Chris :D

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  10. So happy for you that it's finished. It looks amazing!#handmadeMonday

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  11. This is fabulous. I'm now trying to think who in the family I could make something similar for. My cousins baby is probably about right, he's just turned 2 - or maybe I should just wait for the next baby in the family to be born and give myself plenty of time to get making! I love your happy happy face when sharing this :-)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chris, just to let you know this was too cute not to be a feature at this weeks Handmade Monday !

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  12. It's just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!

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  13. I came over from the SewCanShe linky. What a fabulous gift - an heirloom, for sure! Amazing!

    I use Soft and Stable a lot, mainly for making bags, and I love it! I've done a little quilting on a few bag projects, and I think it works out really well and gives a nice look. As for the "lumpy" look someone mentioned above, I've seen some of those, too, but if handled right, you don't end up with that. It's not the fault of the S&S.

    P.S. I procrastinate on every project. LOL

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  14. So very cute! I bet your grandson will love it! I've been digging in and finishing projects this year, but the one I am definitely putting off is a house block quilt along...so many pieces! :) Thank you for sharing!

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  15. I love this idea, it took me a while to find some alphabet panels, but I bought 6 when i did, planning to make two sets. I already of the tiles made for the first set, making the mat today. did you ever create a tutorial for the case. or I am guessing maybe i need to just wing it based on the size of my letters?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lucy. No, I didn't write a tute for the carry case - over the years that it took me to sew it together I was most definitely winging it, and that's not at all how I work when I'm making notes for my tutes!

      I do remember though that I folded the finished mat and then used it as a template for the finished size of the case. I added fabric around the case's strip of alphabet letters so that the case sides would be more than large enough to fit the mat inside it. I placed the matching cards in four equal piles on top of the playmat and used the height of them as a guide for the width of the carry case sides.

      I'm thrilled to hear that you're making an Alphabet Game too, well not one but two games! I'd love to see your finished makes if you'd like to share :D - Chris

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    2. Did it. I actually folded the mat and laid the letters on top , similar to what you suggested. My Alphabet panels aren't as cute as yours, I searched and searched for something with animals, but these were the only ones I could find right now. I used different colors and fabric patterns for the backs that can also be matched. I actually had two orphan blocks from a quilt I had made for this same neice, they worked great for the front and back. I finished it yesterday. It was the first time I have made something like this with a zipper opening. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I ended up cutting the letters to spell her name from other fabric, the letters on the panel were a little too big. but since I started with 6 panels, now I can do two more sets if I want.

      I ended up using the soft and stable for the front and back. and warm and white batting for the side panels. I have had that trouble with skipped stitches on the soft and stable when I have sewed two layers of it together, it worked great this way.

      Since the letters on my panels were bordered with black & white, the checkered fabric seemed perfect for the back of the mat. Sending it off to Utah tomorrow, to my little name sake who just turned 2.

      I also wanted to let you know, I saw your post when it was shared by Caroline Critchfield at Sewcanshe.com. and I am including the link
      to your page when I share the pictures with my quilting friends. I like to give credit.

      Thanks for the idea.

      Lucy Brown
      I would love to share pictures, but I don't see a way to add them.

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    3. Hi again Lucy, I've replied to your comment (#22) re: sending photos below (#23). Thanks for passing on credit too, I love that you do that :D - Chris

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  16. I would love to send you pictures, but I don't see a way to do it here.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lucy, you can send me pics via email. My email is listed in the 'Stay In Touch' box at the top of my right-hand sidebar - click the envelope symbol to drop me a line. Can't wait to see - Chris :D

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    2. Hi Lucy, thanks for sending the photos. Your makes are fabulous; great fabric choices, I love them. You have made my day, thanks for sharing; it’s such a pleasure to know that my blog posts give inspiration. Yay, thank you :D Chris

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I love to hear from everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my blog and share your thoughts. Please leave a message to let me know you visited, it's a great way to get to know you all better too :)

Chris Dodsley


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