Drop Cloth Tote #2

Two down and 4 to go.  I need to change the look of the totes so they don't all look alike.  Not to worry, I don't have anymore of those green flowers!  All gone!  Finished up and opened a spot for another lovely to fit into!

Yes, you know I will just buy more.


In fact I bought more this afternoon!  I bought 2 1/2 yards of a brown tiny dot for the football.  It is getting washed.  I don't normally wash my fabric but I had a load ready to go in and it took the ride with the skivvies.

 Here is a women you can be jealous of.  16 feet long.  She does incredible work that wins awards.  She has a thriving business quilting for people all over the area.  You would think such a person would be stuck up and not interested in lowly me?    But she is a wonderful and kind and sweet as can be! 

She hosted the Modern Quilt Guild at her home and studio for a question and answer session about long arm quilting.

Thank you Charlene!  (Don't you love that chandelier?)  There is another one in the tree in her backyard! If you look closely in the window you can see it!

The Drop Coth/Linen Reveal #1

OK, if you are playing this weekend and not reading my blog......haha, you will miss the first incredible reveal!

I plan on making more things with the drop cloths but here is the first one.

OK, I did mess it up a bit, but I am sure the recipient won't even  know!  Maybe you will notice, maybe not.  Let's see.......

These are the fabrics I chose.  The green is one leg of the linen pants.  The drop  cloth is ecru and the flowers are from my stash.  It is just over a yard, but I used a yard for this project.

Yes!  You can see the makings of a tote bag here!  I made the decision to let the drop cloth be the"stiff" part of the bag and not add additional fusible interfacing like I usually do.  The drop cloths come in two weights, 8 oz and 10 oz.  This one is 10 oz.  My Husqvarna machine had no problem sewing over several layers of the drop cloth which included several layers of seams.  A smaller machine may not, so be aware of that.

For this tote, I cut two 18 x 18 squares of the drop cloth fabric and then chunked out a 2.5 inch square from each of the bottom edges.   I cut the same measurements out of the flower fabric for the linings.

The drop cloth was 4 feet wide and the leftover piece was just over 10 inches.  It would make great short handles.  I cut that piece in half long wise.  I made the handles the way I make all my handles regardless of the way the pattern wants.  I fold the strip in half long wise, press.  Open it up and fold in both sides to the center mark, press.  Fold one side over the other and press again.  And top stitch down both sides.

 I wanted to use the linen pant leg for the bottom of the bag.  It really doesn't matter how tall it goes up the side, make your  own decision.  But remember that it has to cover the bottom, which is 2.5 inches on each side.  So account for that  depth before it is visible on the side of the tote.  I made two of these, one for the front and one for the back.  And you will have to chunk out the corners as well.  I used the cutouts on the bag as the guide so they would be the  same size and position.


I added a decorative strip to the linen with a strip of leftover flowers.  And I added the strip down the center front with the rest of the leftovers.


I hemmed the top of the strips by just folding them down one time and top stitching it to the bag front. I did this before I sewed the sides together.

I made the body of the bag and the lining by stitching the sides together and the bottom.  I used the finished edge of the drop cloth for the top of the bag so I did not finish the bag in the regular way.  I did sew the bottom of the lining together instead of using it to turn the bag.   The bag was finished by putting the lining inside the bag, right side visible, and turning the top of the bag down for top stitching.

I want to add some decorative stamping tomorrow.  I have several things I can use, paint markers or shiva sticks, or even some thickened procion dyes.  I will decide that tomorrow.

I did add the handles before I top stitched it all down, but I had to add them after I had pinned it all down.  It doesn't count unless I have to rip out.

I do have one glaring error.  Can you spot it?  I didn't notice it until I hung it up to photograph it!

Geez.....

I want to make 6 different bags for the girls who help me at the rehab center.  They are all young and cute and nice.  And there is the problm of Luke.  Luke is the director who does all the patient plans and the hands on things like bending my knee further than it wants to go.  And pushing down on my knee to get the leg straighter than it wants to go.  Both hurt....a lot.  Way lots.  

Sometimes when I leave, I say, have a great day....everyone but LUKE!

And he smiles, knowing he has done a good job for me.

Lowe's

I stopped off at the Purple Cow and got two pairs of green 100% gorgeous linen pants.  So I immediately thought that I needed some canvas drop cloths to add to those pants.  I also scored a pillowcase with some fancy old time girls that are begging to be tossed into my string heart box. And a linen jacket that looks like an art quilt already!

After Physical Therapy yesterday, mostly to get some human contact, but also to check out the drop  cloths.  Frank has been out of town all week at some training and it has just been me and the dogs.  I had asked Carrie if we could go to lunch during the week but she didn't even call me. 

While at Lowe's I ran into a friend and we talked about knees, dogs and quilting.  I  really enjoyed seeing her.  We run into each other every once in a while.



Why did I buy paint drop cloths......no I am not painting!  I am making something with it and the linen pants.  Just you wait and see what I come up with!

Hey, this would be a great Challenge!  Quick, go get yourself a drop cloth!

Andrea told me that she used these drop cloths  to make curtains and seat covers for dining room chairs and other exciting things I had never even thought of!  They must be wonderful things, indeed!

If McGee cooperates, I will start on my project today.

glen