My Finished Hobo Bag!

So the leather handles and magnetic snap from Quilt Plus came the other night- just when I was feeling so low! I was so excited to sew them on, I started immediately and the bag became an awesome therapy session. Here is my one of my student's AK modeling it - and these are quite fun pics since that's my coffee and phone she is using as props!;))

AK modeling an Amarettogirl Hobo Bag

Quite a few folks have been asking me if I plan on making more of these bags and I think I will!

I really loved making it and it's the first time I've ever used any kind of quilting squares technique. Gathering a collection of matching fabrics is the most fun part. In fact my mom is beginning to collect her own matching fabrics so I can make one custom to her.

Have a wonderful weekend folks and may something creative get you out of a hump the next time you encounter one!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Mystery Project Revealed!

Remember this:

Well its been a few days now and finally all you clever readers started to get it right!

A very good friend of mine, Linda Gargano of Fruition Dolls & Gifts gave me a sewing kit for Christmas. Inside of the kit were all sorts of surprises including button earrings and a paper pattern and instructions from Quilt Plus an online fabric shop that sells DIY sewing patterns.

The pattern was for a project that I was concerned would be too small for my liking so I had to modify it- For example, instead of the prescribed 22 squares of fabric I used 34, which gave me a chance to add some of my preferred fabrics like Heather Ross mermaids and tattoo- inspired fabric.

An inside pocket I made for my mystery project

I'm an autodidact person and a visual learner, so even the best laid out instructions can stifle me. I usually struggle with and dismiss any patterns - instead I simply have to hold, see and analyze something to figure it out for myself.

I had to sew all the squares together, make a lining with an inside pocket, FOLD it in half and start to sew it together. Inner Liningfolded and inside out before sewing together

Well I'm sure you can start to see it all come together, readers had some really creative ideas. Some of you thought it was a picnic blanket, dooms day device and others a quilt (since quilt techniques are employed).

Quilt Plus has such a great design of how to engineer the pattern of squares into a three dimensional form that I thought it was truly brilliant even with my modification! So HANG ON...

WAIT FOR IT....drumroll please....IT's A HOBO BAG!! Hobo Bag modified pattern by QuiltPlus made by m. diaz HobobagfrontHobobag backpeek inside of the hobobag by m.diaz

I finally finished...uh, hmm well close enough...I still have to buy the leather handles (which QuiltPlus sells!)

I'm so excited about the bag and I think it will look GREAT with jeans!

-Ciao Amarettogirl