"...for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make" ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Latest Finish

Back in October we were visiting friends in Rochester, NY. Can I just say that I LOVE the Finger Lakes region of NY? SO gorgeous!

Anyhoo... while visiting I was at a quilt shop with some friends, one of them came across a pattern for a backpack. It's called "My Favorite Backpack" and it's by Turkey Track Designs. This friend doesn't sew, but she really wanted this backpack, so I offered to make it for her. We picked out some fabrics, I came home to Illinois... and there the fabric and pattern sat. And sat. And sat...

I decided the other day that October to February was a ridiculous timeframe for what really should only be a one day project. So, I pulled everything out and made the backpack!!

Lovely Texture!
I made the large piece of patchwork for the main backpack and quilted it in my new favorite way- I *love* the texture this quilting has!

Finished Backpack
And here is the finished backpack!! I'm pretty happy with it... if I ever make another one I will figure out how to line it, though. The pattern has you zig-zag finish the raw seams but I really, really don't like how it turned out inside.

We did feel the earthquake that hit Northern Illinois yesterday morning. We both thought there had been an explosion at first. It was only when the windows kept rattling that I realized it was an earthquake! The cat totally freaked out. It cracked the grout between the kitchen sink and the backsplash. But our foundation is fine and no other damage was done. It was a bit freaky though!!

The only other "news" is that I deactivated my Facebook account today. If you were my friend there, I'm really sorry, but I spend WAY too much time on the Internet, and on Facebook in particular. I've thought about doing it for a long time, and when they changed it... again... to a format I really didn't like I knew it was time :)

8 comments:

  1. You're back pack turned out great!
    I know what you are saying about facebook. I just recently made a rule that I can only check it first thing in the morning. Way to much time on there and I need to get sewing :-)

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  2. I love the quilting on this!! Nice :)
    Laurie

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  3. I love that quilting too, and since I am no good at free motion, it is also very convenient. We all slept right through the earthquake, no damage found. Even the dogs didn't do much noise to wake us up.
    I have been thinking about deactivating facebook several times, so far, I am still too big of a chicken to do that. :)
    Good for you to be able to do it.

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  4. Jennie, your backpack turned out so darn cute! I love the fabrics and colors and all the stitching. Lining is pretty easy and you could probably stitch a lining into that bag even now. Just make the same shape bag out of fabric, turn under the top edge, put it down into the bag and stitch around the top edge of the lining, just below the top edge of the bag. Next time you could actually incorporate it into the finishing of the bag, but for this one, putting it in after the fact like that would work too, and you'd like it better!

    I'm considering ditching facebook as well for all but my handwork. It's a real time sucker!

    MGM

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  5. Yes. You may say that you Love the Finger Lakes. So do I! May I say that I love your backpack? Just the right size, too. Nice work.

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  6. I have made this backpack, too. It's a great pattern and a cool way to practice quilting. I didn't like the finish on the inside seams, so I finished the inside seam as a French seam. I think I left the bottom seam as in the pattern. I also changed the piecing because I didn't want to cut my fabric. I think I have a picture in one of my October posts. (I'm sorry, I don't know how to make a link.)

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  7. Very cute back pack! Love the quilting & the big button. :-)

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  8. Cover the Seams with bias binding!
    That will cover the seams and if it is a compliment or contrast fabrics it can be cute too!

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