zipper

issue 35 pineapple — Love Patchwork & Quilting #35

I am so excited to present my first magazine submission….and it made the cover!!

It’s a tropical treat!!

I was trying to come up with a very small pineapple block to work into a cover for my sketchbook. I had already worked out a pattern for a larger pineapple block (11 in x 7 in) but I wanted one that would be small enough to fit within the cover of a sketchbook. So I reworked the pattern and stitched out a sample. Perfect.

pineapple sketchbook — Love Patchwork & Quilting

Then, I began to work on a pattern for the sketchbook cover. I wanted something that would close with a zipper, but, wanted to use up my separating zippers. And the quilted sketchbook jacket was born.

I was super happy with the prototype and wanted to get some exposure for the pattern. I have a pattern on Craftsy, and while it is a great venue for selling indie designer patterns, I don’t know how to get more exposure for it and really wanted this pattern to get more exposure. So, I went about researching magazine submissions. I absolutely adore Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine out of the UK. My subscription started in 2014 and I love all the content the magazine brings. While I wish the delivery was much quicker….good things come to those who wait, right?

I wanted to see if LP&Q would be interested in my pattern. The email was written about 10 days before I even sent it off…as I debated whether my submission would even be seen let alone accepted. It is a big step to take sending your ideas off to an editor and submit to the aesthetic of someone far off you have never met. But, I took the plunge and clicked the Send Button on the email with images attached.

To my utter astonishment and delight the reply to my email was prompt and my submission accepted! I was pinching myself for days! Then, the real work began because I now had a deadline…a real deadline!

The deadline was met and my samples were sent off….and LP&Q worked their magic on the magazine layout! Oh and those images are magic!! Thank you for a great experience Love Patchwork & Quilting!!

The magazine was released May 25th, and will be available in the US in 2-4 weeks. Bookstores & Quilt Shops carry single issues, and you can get this beautiful magazine delivered to your door or your mobile device. Visit the Love Patchwork & Quilting website to find out how!!

I have created a mod for the pattern to add a zipper pocket to the inside cover. The pocket will be perfect for holding pens & pencils while you travel with your sketchbook. Look for the post within the next week.

When you make a quilted sketchbook cover, please take a picture and tag @penguinfeats on Instagram or Penguin Feats on Facebook.

This will be the last part of the OMQG Sew Along for the Bonnie Bucket Bag. Don’t forget to tag your photos as you make progress with your Bonnie Bucket Bag. Use #oahmqg #omqgBonnieBucket and #omqgsewalong and tag the guild with @oahumqg!! I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s Sew Along progress!! We should be seeing some finished bags soon. Don’t forget to bring your bag to the March meeting!!!

The first part of assembling the lining is sewing the zipper. Sandwich your 15 inch zipper between the Top & Bottom Lining Main Panels with the zipper facing the Top Lining Main Panel. Stitch close to the zipper. Using a zipper foot makes this easier and allows you to get close to the zipper with a straight seam.

pinzipper — zipper between lining layers

Repeat for the other side of zipper. You should have something that looks like this….

Open your zipper half way and pin the right sides of the lining together. Stitch the sides leaving the bottom open. Also be sure to leave an opening below the zipper on one side of the lining that will be used for turning your bag later. I forgot to leave this open and had to get the seam ripper out to create the opening. Not fun!

You will stitch through the zipper ends when you stitch the lining sides. Backstitch over the zipper to secure the seam. Trim the zipper ends if they extend beyond the seam allowance.

Mark the centers of your Bottom Lining by folding in half each way and making a small mark within the seam allowance area. Mark the centers at the bottom of your Main Lining by matching the side seams, folding the Main Lining Panels and marking within the seam allowance area at the fold.

bottom centers — center marking on bottom

Match the marks from your Main Lining to the marks on the Bottom Lining first when pinning or clipping. Then pin or clip securely the entire circle around the Bottom Lining.

Stitch this seam as you did the Exterior Bottom Panel of the bag earlier by first basting at ¼ inch and then again at ½ inch to create a smooth seam. There is no need to use a zipper foot for this seam since the bulk from the heavy stabilizer isn’t in the lining.

Follow the directions in part 8 of pattern to finish your bag. The exterior of the bag will be inside the lining. The right sides of the lining and exterior will be together. Match the side seams and raw edges of the top of the lining and the top of the exterior. Pin or clip in place and stitch.

Pull the Bottom Exterior of the bag through the opening in the lining first as this will make it easier to turn the entire bag.

After your bag is turned, press the top rim of the bag and use lots of pins or clips to help with topstitching. Pressing with the iron can help flatten this edge for easier topstitching.

top edge — using many pins or clips to secure for topstitching

Again, I increased my stitch length to 3mm for the topstitching.

Stitch your handle ends to the rings or loops on your bag. Be sure to backstitch to secure the handles to the loops. Stitch first at the edge of the fold and then stitch again close to the ring or loop to help prevent shifting.

Whipstitch the opening in the lining closed….and you have a finished Bonnie Bucket Bag!

Please remember to share your images on Instagram and on the OMQG Facebook Group page!

There are many other patterns with great instructions available at Swoon Sewing Patterns. Please visit the site for some great patterns as well as hardware supplies for many of the bags.

OMQG Bonnie Bucket Bag Sew Along Part Three

OMQG Bonnie Bucket Bag Sew Along Part Two

OMQG Bonnie Bucket Bag Sew Along Part One

Tag: zipper

My First Quilt Magazine Cover!!

OMQG Bonnie Bucket Bag Sew Along….Finish Line