Conversing Squares

"I love sewing and have plenty of material witnesses..." ( unknown)

I am so sick of sewing squares.....hundreds and gazillions of squares! Every colour, every pattern, every kind of fabric under the sun. But these squares are special. They are from fabric used to make dresses for the girls, when they were quite little . They are from fabric used to make quilts for weddings, birthdays, Christmas, for friends, all across the country, some across the sea.

When I look at all these squares I remember those friends.

Just for fun, I sewed squares in long strips ( took me two weeks ....arrgggh). Then, because I was tired of squares, I got the bright idea to sew them together in a haphazard way, and give the appearance of being woven like lattice. Kind of like they are conversing with each other.......one endless long distance call!

Squaresville

"Before Prozac came into this world.....there was quilting...." ( Quilting Bee)

Thousands of little squares, put them together in long rivers of fabric, then string them all together one after another, any which way you want. Sooooo fun.

Green Fiend

This is one of my favourite uses of silk cushion covers for a messenger bag. I went to a local craft fair and picked up a couple of ornate cushion slipovers. Wasn't sure what to do with them, until I was messing around with this messenger bag pattern. I used the slipcover to make the over-flap . Then pieced together other fabrics to make the main body. I just love it. Added beading and there it is. Best thing about the bag , is that you are hands free, if you sling it across opposite shoulders.

My green fiend, I call it....and the whole world is going green, so I'm right in sync.

Total length of messenger bag, with front flap up, measures about 24 inches.

Bag itself is about 16 inches across with 11 inches depth.

Strap is 44 inches long , 2 inches wide.

Inside has various pockets.

Bag is lined, with inside filler for stability on bottom piece and all side/ flap pieces.

Bag can be made in different colour variations/specification, and beading.

Cost is about $90 ( give or take, depending on the detail work)

Postage is extra.

"Too Hip to Be Square"

Mini Trip around the World

"I have not kept the square, but that to come shall all be done by the rule." (Shakespeare)

Hundreds of 2 inch squares....a lot I've had for at least 10 years. Time to use them up. Ooodles and oodles of possibilities. I recognize some of the fabrics from dresses I made for the girls, or quilts . The red swirly squares at the bottom of the corner, are from fabric brought all the way from Singapore. Kind of cool.

I'm Bagged.....

"Imagination is the beginning of creation.You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." (George Bernard Shaw)

Go wild with anything that you have at hand....fringes, beads, coins, metallics.........it's all good.

(Messenger Bag 2010)

So, after you've stripped............

End result is a tote bag, front and back. What? You were expecting something else? Read on for visuals..........yes......there are pictures. Now don't get too excited, you might fog up the computer screen.

After cutting strips you've sewn together, resew them as checkerboards.Make sure that you alternate colours, and you can cut off the end pieces later. A little time consuming, but what else are you going to do with your time?

This is how it all starts. Sew the humungous long strips together....17 at a time, to make a panel. Then you can cut them up into whatever size checkerboards that you wish. Makes for an exciting time, on those dark and stormy nights.........get your friends together for a stripping party.....use different fabrics, alternate darker with lighter colours.

What to do when you strip........

Pouch purse. SO easy! 8 1/2 by 20 inch rectangle, sew strips and trim onto the foundation. Fold in half, add a lining, a strap, and voila.......great way to use up those fabric strips.