The Katydid Bag

This is my bag review for the AWESOME Purse Palooza event going on over at Sew Sweetness!  I was supposed to have this completed October 1st...did not happen.  Did not even come close to happening.  I was planing on making the Lilium Laptop Bag but in my mind I had envisioned that the compass I made was going to fit on the flap and I was WRONG!  I looked through all the other bags and then called Sara.  This happens every time I make a bag  since I am not a bag maker and she knows everything there is to know about bags.  I knew she would walk me through finding the "right" bag for my block and not make me feel like a complete idiot.

Unfortunately for me there was no other pattern that would work...sigh...so Sara said "I have an idea..." and The Katydid Bag was what came out of my inability to conform and my having the best friend in the world!

Now, if you know Sara, you know that she has been CRAZY busy with not only her business but other stuff too.  I sent her a message telling her NOT TO design a new bag and that I would make something else and this one can wait.  I woke up to an email saying " I know you told me not too but I love you too much".  GAH!  And she named it after her mini me Katy that LIVES with me so I could not be totally pissed.

Sara sent me the pattern with all the directions I needed.  There were limited photos which made me consider biting my nails again.  I am so very visual and need lots of actual photos, with Sara's instructions, I did not need the usual picture for every step.

The only adjustments I made to the original pattern were the handle holders were bias folded and I changed it to make holders that were flat on either side. I also needed to sew with a 1/4 in seam instead of the 1/2in suggested.  I wanted for my compass points to show.

I made the front panel using the pattern on Quilting on the Square .  I want to make them all. Really great patterns.  I made the block scrappy using many different designers including Kate Spain, Heather Ross and Joel Dewberry. The lining fabric is Alexander Henry Mirabelle, one of my all time favorite prints. I would do a happy dance if they would send me 20 yds of that print!  The background fabric is from Joann's.  It is not 100 percent cotton and is more like a microfiber.  Stretched a bit more than I would have liked but the fact that it is a perfect black made up for the slight difficulty in handling. For the interfacing I used the recommended Pellon sf-101 and Annie's Soft and Stable. The thread used was my trusty Aurifil.  I used 50wt for the topstitching and quilting and the 40wt for the bag assembly.


The features of this bag are what make me want to make another.   The recessed zipper is easy and creates a finished look.

SO MUCH ROOM!!!! If you have even been with me anywhere, you know I carry a ton of crap.  Still not sure what it all is but it is ALL in my bag.  This one will meet my needs for sure!

The pattern called for two zippered pockets.  I chose to do one.  I only had this one fab vintage pink zipper from Lindsay  to use and well, it is just perfection.  Do not be afraid to do zippers.  It is easy and the method Sara uses is one of the most simple.  If you are doing it for the first time, try it out on  a scrap first.  Get comfortable with it and you will be a pro in no tome!

Inside is a fun bit of Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt.  It looks so great with the Alexander Henry Mirabelle

I am not even sure when Sara plans to release this pattern but when she does...GET IT!!!  It is easy and AMAZING!!!! If you are going to Quilt Market please look for this bag, it will be there with me :)

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Finish It Up Friday

So this is Planet Houston...Market Part One

I have been so busy doing I am not even sure what but I know there are kids involved and where there are children there is something to pick up or drive to and from or feed or something...anyway I am going to try in one post to share at least some of my fun at Market.


The first thing I have to say is...YES!!!!!!!  I think ALL fabric and fabric designers are brilliant, FABULOUS, FANTASTIC and WONDERFUL!!!!! They all have been driven to design for whatever reason, to put their personal ideas and reputations out there for others to love or criticize. I am not sure I could ever put myself in the position of that kind of public scrutiny. These are brave people! The other thing is they ARE people with families and husbands, wives, children, moms and dads. It is always so nice to meet the people behind the designs, to see their real personalties and place them with the fabrics...I do LOVE them all!!!!


The first booth that I made a B-line for is Laura Gunn! She designs for Michael Miller and her newest line Cosmos is Super bright and as vibrant as Laura herself!

Funny thing was, Laura was never there when I went to visit so it took about four times and I FINALLY caught up with her!!!!! She is TOO ADORABLE! And she is the MOST FABULOUS shopper EVER!!!!!!

At Market, I missed out on meeting Joel Dewberry, he was across from Denyse Schmidt and I just somehow never times it right, I am improving on my stalking skills and was able to catch him this go round! I am SO HAPPY I did! I seriously thought he had reached the nirvana of fabric when Heirloom came out but NNNNnnnnnnnnope! Notting Hill is really something else!

Did mention Joel is REALLY tall and super nice, he held up the samples for me to get a photo, although I may have been a bet bossy and said "Here...hold these!" Joel, I apologize if I was bossy, it was right before lunch!

I have more and thought I could get it all in one post but that is not going to happen...so this is Part One,LOL!

I think this is really it!!!!!

The last day of market ( which was Sat for me) was just as exciting as the first. I think I may have slept seven  hours the entire weekend.  I am feeling it now ;o)

This is one of the most exciting things that happened to me while there.

Lovely...just lovely!!!!!!! I could have moved into this booth and not even needed internet, cable or possibly food...ever! But someone would have had to bring me my Bernina and some Aurifil of course ;o)

EEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!! Amy Butler has her hands on the Pineapple Princess quilt and she really liked it.  She is so lovely and wonderful. It was great to meet her.  Thank you Amy for taking the time to look at my quilt!!! It is safely home with me and I need to bind it and take final photos :o)

*this photo is from Sara's blog since in mine my eyes are closed since I may have blacked out a bit*

Sara taking photos of the first dress I am going to make!!!!!

And meeting this firecracker Kay Whitt of Serendipity Studio was so much FUN!  All of that charisma and creativity in a fun loving girl from Texas!!!!  I love this lady!!!!!

You cannot walk anywhere here and not run into a fantastic idea or a fabulous person...it is IMPOSSIBLE!

I was on my way to meet up with Sara and I found my nirvana...LIBERTY fabrics...( can you hear the angels singing)!!!!! I fondled some fabric and promised I would return and the gang there was so nice!!!! I am sure they are used to this reaction to all of that loveliness. 

When we returned, I was invited to sit down in one of the chairs covered in Liberty fabric ( it somehow seemed a bit naughty but I went along with it) and was speaking to the most wonderful lady. She handed me a box...of LIBERTY swatches...TEARS came to my eyes and I think I may have blacked out for a minute or two because I cannot remember much after that. Is Liberty of London  fabrics THAT good...YES! 

Kirstie ( the really nice lady that put up with my moment of weakness) was kind enough to take a photo with me and it is blurry but that is because I am probably still a bit woozy ;o)

This is the box with the fabric! It was in my purse ON the plane for fear of it's safety on the flight home! the new line is called Bloomsbury Gardens . TO LIVE FOR!!!!!

Oliver+s had a very cute booth and I had to get some shots of the really fun projects they had displayed

This is Adam's favorite!

I went back to the Laurie Tigner Design booth ( I was working for her) and who should show up...

Mr. Aurifil! He was out visiting all the booths and saying hello :o)  I am starting to think Alex has a twin ...he is EVERYWHERE!!!! 

Right next to our booth was Like Sew, a great group of guys (geeks which in my book means godlike since html is a four letter word to me) that also host the FreeQuiltPatterns.info site. Great group and it was great to meet them!!!!

Here they are with Laurie shoot some footage of how she LOVES them!!!!! Who does not adore a guy that can confidently wear pink and write code ;o) Oohlala!

Art Gallery...oh BABY!!!!!! Soft and lovely and yummy and the most ENERGETIC and FABULOUS group of people! This is the fabric company you want to go to a PARTY with!!!!!

Pat Bravo's Summerlove is one that will be living in my sewing room as soon as I can get my hands on it!!!!

I had to fly to Kansas City to meet this talented lady even though I only live one hour from her...

Pat Sloan in her really cool dress in front of her new fabric line Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!!! 

Next to Pat Sloan was another person that was on my list to meet ( Amy Lou Who said I had to hug her) Vanessa Christenson of V&Co. I was so happy when I saw her and warned her I was going to give her a hug from Amy and she said okay, then I told her my name was Kim and she looked at my tag and said..."OH! you are THAT Kim!" Not sure if that was good or bad she hugged me again and I was super happy her ninjas did not jump me!!!! Yes, she had her own set of personal ninjas and they were in some of my photos  although I cannot show them( ninjas cannot ever reveal their true identity). 

Amy, I REALLY hugged her but Sara has the photo and I will post it as soon as I get it from her!!!!!

I found someone that was not quilting but KNITTING at market...I thought that was so cool and well, she was doing a great job!

I saw her again at the KCMQG!!!! And she gave me a prize ( see that Robert Kauffman fabric ;o), she gave that to me!!!) !!!! 

I was searching all over for her and she is NOT Sewing Athena ( I googled it every way possible)  but Spinning Athena multi talented and very nice :o) 

So with blistered and bandaged toes...

and a head full of ideas, I sadly said goodbye to Kansas City and all the wonderful people I met there.

Thank you Kansas City, International Quilt Market, designers, bloggers and everyone else! It was fun!!!!

Amazing designers EVERYWHERE

Nothing can prepare you for the greatness that is among you at market, really nothing. I understand that these are just people like I am but they are extremely passionate people with a hell of a lot of talent!  They are genuine and lovely and it was an honor to meet them. You all ROCK!!!!! Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us mere mortals!!!! These are in order of how I took them :o)

First, adding to my list of crushes is Anna Maria Horner, good golly, what can I say! A chic with a large family, can hand stitch stuff, talented artist and loves coffee...I am totally crushin!!!!! Her new line is Field Study and is one of the most beautiful MUST HAVES!!!!

I wish I had taken more photos at this booth it was stunning!


I was also able to meet the lovely Denyse Schmidt. I HOARD her fabric but sssshhhhhhh, that is our little secret ;o)  Her new line is Chicopee and the colors are similar to Hope Valley but instead of muted is is rich and really really amazing!

Then OMG!!!! TULA PINK!!!!!! The booth was awesome!!! The new line...DIVINE!!!!! It is not called divine though it is called Nightshade and can I just say...WOW! I was so awestruck, I forgot to ask if I won the Time Capsule raffle,LOL!!!!!

I spotted the CUTEST bag in Tula's booth and it turns out it belongs to one of the sweetest designers...Sheri of Sheri McCulley Studio!  Did I mention the designers are EVERYWHERE!?!?!

Okay, time for a coffee break and hugs from a boy that missed his mama.