Small, Sweet Projects

I have spent several pleasant evenings in the past few weeks making some very small, sweet projects.  I love quilts as much as the next girl, but I also LOVE finishing projects, which is why smaller is sometimes better.  This particular set of small projects are in the true Swink Girl style: hand made with love.  One of my most wonderful friends, Judy, is turning 50 this week, so I made these quilted, coordinated gifts for her, I really hope she loves them!

First, a sweet throw pillow, 12"x16".  The back is solid gray with a covered purple zipper.  The case is fully lined, no raw edges!  And I love, Love, LOVE binding on throw pillows!

Also, I used my new FMQ foot on all these projects, and I a decidedly better at it, yay!

You may recognize this sweet zipper bag; I've made several now from this tutorial at Crazy Mom Quilts.  This pattern is really simple and turns out so nice, plus people are really impressed when they see the vinyl, like "wow, you made that?"

 A shot from the back, just to show you just how matchy-matchy this set is.

 I love making these little, quilted zip bags.  Kimberly taught me how, although she goes the extra (LONG) mile and makes linings for hers.  There are some raw edges in here, but I overcast them and they don't bother me. I mean, how fancy does a bag to shove your deodorant in really have to be?

It's kind of hard to demonstrate what this one is.  Its a little slip case to put your reading glasses in.  I wanted to take a picture with a pair of glasses tucked in there and peeking out the end, but I don't have any!  Kimberly assures me it is the correct size.  I forgot to mention: with the exception of the bag with the vinyl, NO PATTERNS WERE USED TO MAKE THESE GIFTS.  I am getting to be a REAL sewer!

 This is a bigger version of the zipper bag above.  Roomy enough to fit a brush, hair dryer, large makeup kit, whatever.  I had some cotton webbing strap laying around that I dyed purple to match.

As you can see above, I also made a full size pillow case. I love my pillow case pattern (that Kimberly taught me) as I make them with a French seam and they just seem so polished, I have literally made dozens.  The pillow case was a last minute idea (and the reason I had to order more of the boysenberry fabric).  We are celebrating Judy's birthday by going out of town and will be spending the night at a hotel.  I thought to myself, 'I am making all these little accessories, why not call it a hotel survival kit?'  A nice fresh pillowcase, throw pillow, bags to stay organized; all coordinated in fabulous, purple, quilted glory!

And here's a picture of all the gifts tucked in to the bigger zipper bag (the pillowcase is obviously removed from the pillow and folded up), how tidy!

I really enjoyed making these gifts, especially since most of them took only one or two nights to finish.  I am proud of what I have created with out patterns and pleased with my increased skill at FMQ and hand sewing binding.  I really hope Judy loves them!

Francesca

Edit: Linking with Amanda Jean, Sarah and Audrey!