That little bag? I made it. All by machine. I still can’t believe it! I was chortling away to myself as I was making it on Sunday, thrilled to bits that I could actually put this together. I know it sounds ridiculous but for me to put anything together successfully by machine is a feat. I didn’t have to rip out anything nor did I have any issues with my sewing machine. So there’s hope!!
I stumbled across a tutorial for it at p.s. i quilt and was convinced, thanks to the tutorial’s great instructions, that I could do it. An hour or so later, when the little bag was finished I was thrilled. Now I think I want to make a few that are somewhat larger.
Three of the smallest teddy bears caught sight of the little bag and wanted to go for an outing to the roof garden. So in they hopped, and off we went to the roof garden.
Once out there, they were happy to see that my other machine sewing adventure was there waiting for them.
This little quilt was made using a swatch pack and entirely by machine, other than tacking down the binding. I am less than thrilled with how it turned out as there are places where seams didn’t exactly line up. But overall, it gave me some confidence to try the little bag and the bears were quite happy to have a quilt to call their own.
While out on the roof garden, they admired some of the flowers in the flower beds.
There are a few quilts I want to make that really make much more sense to make by machine than by hand — ones with lots of HSTs or QSTs. Getting more experience making small things and gaining some confidence in my ability to do so will help. I think more sewing machine adventure posts will be showing up as soon as my aunt’s quilt is done.
While this picture of Lester is a bit blurry, I couldn’t resist posting it because it’s such a fabulous shot of his paw.
Once again, on Monday evening the two of them curled up together. It’s unbelievably cool, probably around 50 after the sun has gone down, so I guess they are enjoying the warmth of being together.
Quilt Obsession 
Oh – I love your bag…as does Andrea..I got such a shock re the machining…well done – the bag looks beautiful and the Teddies soooo happy.
LikeLike
What a pretty little bag. I am glad you are making friends with your machine. It can be quite handy for small repetitive piecing.
The boys look so cozy curled up together! and the picnic on the roof garden sounds like a splendid idea! What amazing things roof gardens are:)
LikeLike
Good for you!! The bag is adorable. The more you use the machine the more confident you will become with the technique. Probably much like hand sewing when you first started. Love the shot of Lester, quite handsome. Very cool here last night too… great sleeping weather!
LikeLike
Absolutely gorgeous: the bag, the bears, the quilt and the cats. Looking forward to seeing other bags will make.
LikeLike
Your machine skills are great! That is such a pretty bag and quilt. Hand sewing is very relaxing, but for sheer speed nothing beats the machine. The kitties look like bookends curled that way!
LikeLike
WTG, Cathi!
Super little bag and teddy bear quilt. Great post and thank for sharing.
It’s been cool here too. We even had the heat on for about 15 minutes on Sunday just to get rid of the dampness in the house. What’s up with the weather?
LikeLike
From one hand piecer to another I’m in awe of your bag!! Hey if you can do it, maybe I should give it a try :0)
Poor Smudge, no room to sprawl out with Lester there LOL.
Crispy
LikeLike
By machine!!! Well good for you. Both are lovely.
LikeLike
Woohoo!! You did it! Congratulations – you survived AND made a cute bag – I’m proud of you 🙂
LikeLike
Super cute little bag! You’ll tame that beast (sewing machine) yet! Your hand-piecing is so beautiful, it will always hold your heart…but for mindless stitching…the machine will be a great friend! Oh those darling kitties…I can almost hear the zzzz’s!
LikeLike
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay you taught your machine to make some lovely items — well done, lol! See – it’s not that scary – machines are very good at learning to do what they’re told to do, and they do things very quickly! 😉 I’m having a great time with my 1953 Singer – it works better than my Baby Lock! You could always make cage quilts for your local animal shelter (use scraps, uglies, extra or imperfect blocks etc.) for more machine practice – the critters don’t mind if seams or colors are a bit off, and they love having something to snuggle, as your own boys know!
LikeLike
Good work, Cathi — your little bag is so cute, and the perfect size for 3 tiny bears (who look as if they are enjoying lolling around on that quilt, even if a few seams aren’t matched perfectly because really…..they don’t mind about things like that). I also prefer hand piecing, but for some projects the machine is really nice. It’s especially great when I have to make a gift in a hurry.
LikeLike
WOWWIE, Cathi! You ought to be SO proud of yourself! The bag is absolutely adorable. And that little quilt is perfect for your beary friends. Oh my, I am in love with your projects.
LikeLike
Cute little bag–and just fits the teddy bears!
Oh, and I love the clamshell block–can’t wait to see what you do with it.
LikeLike
Your bag is lovely, and oh-so-suited for carrying the teddy bears! I’m sure they enjoyed their little adventure.
As for seams not matching up – I know that one really well, and I’m beginning to come to two conclusions:
1. It REALLY does help if the pieces you’re using are actually the size they’re supposed to be. (A 1-7/8″ x 2″ square doesn’t match up well with a 2″ square.)
2. Trust your sewing machine. Mine sews much straighter seams if I don’t try to help it along.
Please scritch Lester and Smudge for me.
LikeLike
Oh friend, what an utterly DELIGHTFUL post. So precious the story of the bears and their outing. Love the flowers they got to see on the roof garden.
Your little bag is so cuteamous. Oh my friend, so, so cute. I’m happy you’re at the machine and reading about ideas with HST’s and all that. Oh that Designer’s Mind of yours is clicking away, isn’t it?
I absolutely love this photo of Lester. That’s a real gem!!!
Oh friend, great great great post!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
It is funny how we each have things we are good at and comfortable doing. Hand stitching is not my best. And look at you though. This is such a sweet bag. It is good to do things out of our comfort zone.
LikeLike
I LOVE this little bag. I’m going to trot right over to that tutorial and make one! : D
Thanks for sharing this!
~ Ronda
LikeLike
Super little bag Cathi, well done! I know exactly how you feel, I ‘m terrified of my sewing machine & have palpitations each time I even think of using it! LOL
Thanks for posting the link, I ‘m tempted to have a go.
LikeLike