Life Organizer on the Drawing Table?

In response to a survey question of what type organizer customers would like to see next, one person responded with "Life Organizer."  Coming right up, but I get the first one.LOL

I do have a real neat organizer pattern that will soon be published.  You have the option of fusing or quilting a fat quarter of cotton (approximately 18 X 22 inches) to fleece.  It gives the organizer a lot of body, and quilting it is a good chance to practice your FMQ, if you are into that.  I went to a Regional Studio Art Quilters Assoc meeting yesterday and got to admire some beautiful designs and free motion quilting.

In preparation for the final walk through on this pattern, I sat down and FMQ'd a full fat quarter.  I did pretty good, and plan to show it in the pattern instructions.  I would never take it to a quilt guild for show and tell, but it will be great for this pattern, as yet unnamed.  The name will come to me soon, just like the finishing details have.

Then, on to the Life Organizer!

Facebook Page Name

I guess the whole world knew before I did that your FB page could have a name, and there would not be a need to copy and paste all those letters, numbers and symbols.  Now my posts that refer to my page will be just www.facebook.com/BGW.patterns.

I've been productively procrastinating all day.  Instead of doing all the things I should, I made zippered, monogrammed makeup bags for two friends.  I'll share the pictures tomorrow.

Chicago

Husband, grandson Ross and his friend Trevor and I were walking down Michigan Avenue our first  evening in Chicago.  I was lucky enough to catch this shot with my Iphone 4S.  We had a great time in Chicago with these 16 year olds and have more pictures to post.

This "Bucket Band" was making music outside Wrigley Field last week when we went to see the Cubs play.  Another creative way to recycle!

Piping Sew Perfect

Piping Sew Perfect

Cut strip of fabric twice the width of desired piping plus the circumference of the cording.  You can use any firm cording of any size.  I'm using a polyester drapery cord that is 1/4 inch around.  I want 1/2 inch wide seam allowance so the fabric was cut  1 1/4 inch wide.  Preshrink cord if necessary.

Fold strip in half lengthwise wrong sides together and press.

Press 1/2" paper-backed fusible web to one side of the fold.

Remove paper.

Place the cord along the center fold.

Fold the side with the fusible web over the cording and press, pushing the cord toward the fold.  Protect the ironing surface with a teflon sheet, parchment paper or  release paper from fusible web.

Joining Piping

Cleanly cut an end on one piping strip to be joined.

 On other piping strip, pull the binding back 1 1/2 inches.

Turn under 1/4 inch.

Glue baste the under side of the folded edge to the back of the cut piping. Cut cording  evenly with the cut end of the first piping.

Fold the free edge of piping  over the other and glue baste.

Press the seam allowance against the cording.  

Use your cording foot to insert in the seam.  No unsightly basting stitching to show! I used this piping in a new design for the Jitter Bucket organizer pattern.

Georgia Manning Lewis

www.bucketsgonewild.com

Quilted Tote

I finally finished this quilted tote from Laurel Burch panels that I bought at Houston at least two quilt festivals ago.  Several times I almost gave it up, but I'm so glad I didn't.  Taking it to the beach, but it won't get near the sand!

Inside -- Must have pockets!

This isn't the usual organizer from Buckets Gone Wild!, but it is using up fabric that had just been taking up space for several years. Visit www.bucketsgonewild.com for other organizers.

Walker Tote Binding

Walker Tote

Brooke Robbins from missashcam sent an Etsy conversation on June 24, 2012.

Does this pattern use velcro to secure it? is it possible to make it without the bias tape? i am looking for a pattern to make a lot of them and donate them to local nursing homes so i like this pattern because it looks easy with no straps but the bias tape would be time consuming, thank you.

My reply:

This pattern does use Velcro to secure it.  It would be possible to make it without the double fold binding.  I do not use bias unless I have curves to bind.  Double fold binding on the straight edge is so much easier than bias.

You could easily make an envelope, layering the main fabric right side up, lining fabric right side down and then batting or fleece (omit if using upholstery fabric). Stitch a 1/2" seam, leaving an opening to turn inside out. Press and topstitch 1/4" around.  Sew on Velcro. Fold as marked on lines, and stitch on the side topstitching lines and down the center marked lines. 

If you need more detail, let me know.